Year: 1863

chance, 10y the same act | may vislbly ln]ure
the cause of the Union arms. canno,
bring myself to do anything to take away
from tie command of Gen. Dix this great
reserved force as know you would find it il
you would but use it. If you are attacked
let the blacks fight to preserve their freedom.
They are needed. If any thing could
strengthen my previous opinions on this
point it would be just such facts as you mar.
rate in your letter. If the negroes have
wives and children to fight for in addition
to their freedom they will show themselves
nsensble to the motives which have inspired
all other races 1t it one of their rights TO
strike for their deares: ando,her rights, as ali
other races have done. should welcome
every blow of theirs which might at once
carry succor to a patriot, death to a traitor,
confusion to their slanderers, renewed life TO
their own veins, and victory to our flag


Contemplating however, the possibility of
their remova permit me to say that the
Northern States are, of all places the worst
possible to select as an asylum. These poor
people, afloat upon the world, are inhabitants
of southern climate, and have habits, and
are subject to needs and peculiarties of
physical constitution accordingly. Where.
then, is the prudence or the humanity of
subectng them to the rigors of northern
sky, in the winter season, with the moral
certainty of intlicting extreme suffering, rel
sulting probably in disease and death! If
their removal is definitely determined upon,
| would take the liberty of suggesting for
the asylum some Union fOohold in the South
as Hilton Head-where they could retain
their health, be trained as soldiers, and their
labor be rendered economically available
For them TO come here for cncampment or
ylum would be to come rs paupers and
sufferers into a strange land and a climate
trying even to is habtudes, rs a swarm of
homeless wanderers, migrating without puri
pose and not to the wilderness where the
strong arm would suffice for maintainance,
but to a busy community where they would
be incapable of set'help-a course certain to
demoralize themselves and endanger Others
Such an event would be a handle to all trait
ors and to all persons evily disposed. We
should be told that the experiment had been
tried and had f.ied that the negroes were
proved worthless and ncap Bile of taking
care of themselves, when the truth would be
that we had pursued the plan most eminent
calculated to disab and corrupt him. |
meet with pleasure the motives of humanity
which have dictated your proposed plan; but
from the very sans feelings must consider
the plan mistaken. 1t is precisely because |
do not wish the negroes to suffer; precisely
because would save their wives and child
rem from perishing; precisely because | do
not wish their new freedom to become liz
cense, corruption and intamy, that respectl
fully decline to aid or countenance your plan
for their transportation to the North


Inasmurh as the letter of Major Gen. Dix
is accompanied by a copy of a letter from the
War Department granting permission to cor
respond concerning the plan proposed,
de IN it incumbent upon Inc to state that
have, since receiving your letters, conferred
with the Department upon this subject, and
am sure that there is no difference of opinion
between the Department and myself thereon;
nor do find there the existence of any such
apprehensions regarding the safety of Gen.
Dlx's position as you seem to entertain.


ought to add that even were my views
concent with your own, am, under the
law, absolutely powerIess in my official ca
paciy to promise them.


have the honor 10 be very respectfully,
your obedient servant.


JOHN A. ANDREW.


Governor Of Massachusetts.