Year: 1863

are not to be affected by its provisions.
The laws of the United States, however,
forbid officers of the army and navy to
return slaves to their owners, or to de-
eide upon the claim of any person to the
service or labor Of another; and the in
evitable conditions of state of war un-
avoidably deprive all classes of citizens
of that absolute freedom of action and
control of property which local law and
the continued peace of the country guar
anteed and secured to them. The forci-
BILE seizure of fugitives from service or
labor by their owners is inconsistent with
these laws and conditions, inasmuch as
it leads to personal violence and the dis
turbance of the public peace, and it cam
not be permitted Officers and soldiers
will not encourage or assist slaves to
leave their employers, but they cannot
compel or authorize their return by
force.


The public interest peremptorily de-
mands that ALI ReEseas=-witheut other
means of support be required to main
tain themselves by labor Negroes are
not exempt from this law Those who
leave their employers will be compelled
to support themselves and families by
labor upon the public works. Under no
circumstances whatever can they be
maintained. in idleness, or allowed to
wander through the parishes and cities
of the State without employment Va
grancy and crime will be suppressed by
an enforced and constant occupation
and employment.


Upon every consideration labor is en-
titled to some equitable proportion of
the crops it produces. To secure the
objects both of capital and labor, the
Sequestration Commission is hereby au-
thorized and directed, upon conference
with planters and other parties, to pro-
pose and establish yearly system of
negro labor, which shall provide for the
food, clothing, proper treatment, and
just compensation for the negroes, at
fixed rates, or an equitable proportion
of the yearly crop, as may be advisable.
1t should be just, but not exorbitant or
onerous. When accepted by the planter
or other parties, all the conditions Of
continuous and faithful service, respect
ful department, correct discipline, and
perfect subordination shall be enforced
on the pant of the negroes.by the officers
of the Government. To secure their pay
ment, the wages of labor will constitute
lien upon its products


This may not be the best, but it is now
the only practicable system. Wise men
will do what they can when they cannot
do what they would 1t is the law of
successl In three years from the resto-
ration of peace under the voluntary sys-
tenn of labor, the State of Louisiana will
produce three-fold the product of its
most prosperous year in the past.


The Quartermaster' Department is
charged with the duty of harvesting
corn on deserted fields, and cultivating
abandoned estates. Unemployed negroes
will be engaged in this service, under the
control Of suitable agents Or planters,
with just compensation in food, cloth
ing, and money, consistent with the
terms agreed upon by the commission,
and under such regulations as will tend
to keep families together, to impart self
supporting. habits to the negroes, and
protect the best interests of the people
and the Government.


BY command of Maior-Gen. Banks.


RICHARD B. IRWIN,


Jieut Col A. A q