The New York herald., 1865-06-11

NoRsolx, May 30, 1866
feel II my duty 10 inquire Of you, the only officer
OF the government in reach inform Of the nature OF
the relation existing between the government and my
sell Am 10 consider myself citizen OF the United
States entitled TO the privileges and franchises Of SUCH
or am excluded from their cnjoymentY Three years
ago the government troops found me confined to my
0ed as had oeen for more than half score OF years.
Wthont shadow Of justification they seized the greater
part of my estate and rendered unavailable the balance
mean to make no complaint any statement that
cannot prove beyond all possibility of doubt For more
than three years my large family has been entirely
provided with means for subsistence, without any Ia
borers assistance and this family has been by
an addition of four members since the surrender.
Destitute OF means, appeal TO the magnanimity and
humanity OF the United States TO enable me, not az a
mcndica can't but because they to themselves to
procure implements team seeds, &C. for such farming
crops as may DC cultivated the coming summer and fall
! Will not elaborate; but IL Is almost incredible how my
family have subssted for than three years II
impossible for us to provide longer Ny have
clothes, while they are ordered to pull of their uni
forms
May they be permitted TO keep boat, enjoy citizens
PRIVILEGES, or viii that government which cannot and
VIII not taint me with even suspicion Of charge Of
dsoyay drive my innocent family to the extremity Of
starvationP Very respectfully JOHN A. WISE
GENERAL GORDON
HEADQUARTERS, DISTRICT OF EASTERN VIRGINIA.
Mr. JOHN A. WISE, Norfolk va -
SIR am directed to acknowledge the reception Of
your letter OF the 3Oth u in which you address the
General commanding certain statements draw certain
conclusions make certain inquiries and prefer certain
n
shadow OF justification, they the government troops)
seized the greater part or my your estate and rendered
three years your large family has been entirely unpro
vded with the means of subsistence" Thrd-That you
have no aborers assistance Fourth-Tha "your family
has been increased by the addition Of four members
since the surrender" Fifth-That cit is almost incre
dble how my your family has been subsised for
than three years sixth-That 0t is impossible for
have clothes while they ordered to pull of their
uniforms. Eighth-'That the government cannot and
s-t
of disloyaty. And you inquire: First-''Am to con.
slider myself citizen of the United States en-
titled to the privileges and franchises of such
or I excluded from their enjoyment ~
SecondWil the government drive my innocent family
to the extremity Of starvatons" Third-"May my sons
keep boat9'' Fourth-"May they my sons) enjoy
citizens privileges And stating that you "dest
tute OF means you appeal to the magnanimy and hu-
manity Of the United States to enable you) not
mendcant but because they II To themselves, to
procure implements teams, seeds &C. for such farming
crops as may DO cultivated the coming summer and
fall"
Now sir stripped Of all disguise your letter amounts
My (probably four OF them) have been
four years leagued with traitors in most damnable and
devilish effort TO destroy their country. They
and their coconsprators have reduced me to beggary
and want Can you inform me whether the government,
which my and others could destroy hardly dis
turb will fold me and them in its loving arms, pay me
for all my losses give them your nnocent family the
rights Of patrosS In fine whether the buccaneers may
cling Tor safety TO the sides and climb upon the deck
Of the noble old gate they have tried in vain to scuteY
You informed, SIR that your government will protect
you, ana IN ts own good time give ngnts OF cZchshlp
TO those OF yours who have nothing TO
but the insignia OF reasOn but for the manner Of its
protection and the time when full rights of citizenship
will be conferred you will await until the deeds OF your
and relatives can be counteracted.
In the meantime you will be governed as follows =
First-Make your claim against the government for
muneraton for property taken and destroyed through
such agent You may elect, and when you choose.
you or yours suffering for food make your wishes
known to the commissioner Of Charities" who takes
charge, in the nacon Of the civil authorities, of the
public poor.
Your sons cannot wear their uniform. They may keeY
. boat You cannot be supplied from the United State
Treasury with s.mplemcnts, teams, seeds &c, 70
farming purposes.r am, SIR, very truly, &c,
3. X. MORGAN It. and A. ID. C., A. A. A. G.