The American Annual Cyclopaedia and Register of Important Events of the Year, 1861-1865, vols. 1-5. New York: Appleton & Co., 1868.

Confederate States in 1865 Part 3: Mississippi through North Carolina

MISSISSIPPI. In this State the military operations during the last four months of the war were of comparatively little importance; but the people were much impoverished; Confederate money was, of course, valueless; and the only currency was the notes of the Mississippi and Tennessee Railroad Company, and Mississippi cotton bonds. Industry was in a great measure paralyzed. Immediately after the surrender of the Confederate forces east of the Mississippi River, movements were set on foot looking to the restoration of the State to the Federal Union. Judge Barwell issued an appeal to the people, calling for the appointment of delegates to a convention at Vicksburg. Governor Clarke called an extra session of the State Legislature to be held at Jackson on the 18th of May, and, with a view to the preservation of order and the protection of property, issued the following proclamation:

MEMPHIS, MISSISSIPPI, May 6,1865.

To the People of Mississippi:

General Taylor informs me that all Confederate armies east of the Mississippi River are surrendered, with all Government cotton, quartermaster, commissary, and other stores. Federal commanders will only send such troops as may be necessary to guard public property. All officers and persons in possession of public stores will be held to a rigid accountability, and embezzlers will certainly be arrested.

Arrangements will be made to issue supplies to the destitute. I have called the Legislature to convene on Thursday, the 18th instant. They will, doubtless, order a convention. The officers of the State Government will immediately return with the archives to Jackson.

County officers will be vigilant in the preservation of order and the protection of property. Sheriffs have power to call out the posse comitatus, and the militia will keep arms and other orders for this purpose, as in times of peace.

The State laws must be enforced as they now are until repealed. If the public property is protected and peace preserved, the necessity of Federal troops in your counties will be avoided. You are, therefore, urged to continue to arrest all marauders and plunderers. The collection of taxes should be suspended, as the laws will doubtless be changed.

Masters are responsible, as heretofore, for the protection and conduct of their slaves, and they should be kept at home as heretofore. Let all citizens fearlessly adhere to the fortunes of the State. Assist the returning soldiers to obtain civil employment, contemn twelfth-hour vaporers, and meet facts with fortitude and common sense.

                      CHARLES CLARKE, Governor of Mississippi

Page 579

The Legislature met at the time and place appointed. Governor Clarke, in his message, after adverting to the responsibility he had assumed in calling the Assembly together, and the trying circumstances under, which they met, admitted that the war had ended, and with it the power of the Confederacy. He expressed satisfaction that his own part had been performed with fidelity to his State and in obedience to her laws. He admitted that the Southern States would return to the Union, but feared that the presence of a military power would render reorganization a delicate and difficult task, and to aid in its accomplishment advised the adoption of the speediest measures possible consistent with the rights of the States and the liberties of the people. He alluded to the unanimity with which the people, through their delegates in convention, had severed their connection with the Union, but said their action on that occasion was not hasty, and that the subject had occupied their minds for many years. There were causes, he said, which justified revolution and impelled to secession, and that with no purpose of aggression, but for defence alone, had the people taken up arms. The people of the Northern States, who had demonstrated the earnestness of their determination to preserve the Union as essential to free government and liberty, and had by the exhibition of their power astonished the world, could not now, he said, desire the abasement of a people whom they had found equal to themselves in all except numbers and resources. He recommended the calling of a convention to repeal the ordinance of secession, to remodel the State Constitution, and to enlarge the power of the Legislature.

The Legislature continued in session three days. The most important business transacted was the passage of a bill for the election of members of a State Convention on the 19th of June, to assemble at Jackson, on the 3d of July, to repeal the ordinance of secession and perform such other acts as the situation seemed to demand for the return of the State to the Union. At a public meeting held at Holly Springs on the 29th of May, a series of resolutions was adopted, approving the course of Governor Clarke in calling the extra session of the Legislature, and of the action of that body in providing for a State Convention; favoring a speedy return of the State to the Union; expressing horror and detestation of those bad men, who, "overleaping all the restraints of law and civilized society, have intensified the trials and sufferings inseparable from a state of war, by the commission of the crimes of assassination, rapine, and theft;" asserting it to be the duty of all good citizens "unitedly and persistently to use every effort to suppress lawlessness, wrong, and violence;" and " to revitalize, as far as in them lies, the energy and authority of the civil power;" and counselling the "cultivation of sentiments of loyalty toward the Constitution and laws of the United States no less than of their own State government."

The action of Governor Clarke and of the Legislature was, however, not recognized by the Federal Government. On the 13th of June the President issued a proclamation, appointing William L. Sharkey Provisional Governor of the State of Mississippi, and recognizing a portion of the previous institutions of the State. This was the same, except as to date, the name of the State and Governor, as that appointing Lewis C. Parsons Provisional Governor of Alabama. (See Alabama.) Governor Sharkey immediately entered upon the duties of his office, and on the 1st of July issued the following proclamation:

Fellow-Citizens of the State of Mississippi:

The President of the United States, by virtue of the power vested in him by the Constitution of the United States, has been pleased to appoint the undersigned Provisional Governor of the State of Mississippi, "for the purpose of enabling the loyal people of said State to organize a State government, whereby justice may be established, domestic tranquillity insured, and loyal citizens protected in all their rights of life, liberty, and property; " and, to accomplish this object, has directed me, " at the earliest practicable period, to prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary and proper for convening a convention of delegates, to be chosen by that portion of the people of said State who are loyal to the United States, and no others, for the purpose of altering or amending the Constitution thereof," so that the State may be able to resume its place in the Union. And being anxious to carry out the wishes of the President, and to restore the dominion of civil government as speedily as possible, I do hereby ordain and declare as follows, to wit:

First.—To avoid the delay which would necessarily occur from the separate organization of each county by special appointments of the several county officers, the persons who exercised the functions pertaining to the following named officers, on the day when the archives and other public property were taken possession of by the forces of the United States, to wit, the 22d day of May, 1865, are hereby appointed to fill those offices in each county, to wit: the office of judge of probate and clerk of the probate court, the office of sheriff and coroner, the office of justice of the peace and constable, the office of board of county police, the office of county treasurer and collector, and assessor and county surveyor, and the several municipal offices of every incorporated city or town whose organizations have been regularly kept up. This general appointment of officers is not intended to revoke any special appointment made by me prior to the date of this proclamation. And inasmuch as it is necessary that these several offices should be filled by incumbents who are loyal to the United States Government, I reserve the power to remove any one who may be exceptionable in this respect; and I earnestly invoke the loyal citizens of each county to give me timely and the most authentic information that can be procured in regard to any officer who is obnoxious to this serious objection.

Second.—These several officers, before they enter upon the discharge of the duties of their respective offices, shall take and subscribe the amnesty oath prescribed in the President's proclamation of the 29th May, 1865, and must immediately transmit the oath so taken to this office. At the end of the amnesty oath, after the word "slaves," must be added the words " and will faithfully discharge the duties of my office to the best of my ability." And any one who may undertake to act in his official capacity without compliance with this requisition, will subject himself to punishment. This oath may be taken before any commissioned officer, civil, military, or naval, in the service of the United States, or before Page 580 the judges of probate hereby appointed, or heretofore appointed by me, after they shall have taken the oath themselves, or before the Judge of the Criminal Court of Warren County. But no one can hold any of these offices who is exempted in the President's proclamation from the benefits of the amnesty unless first specially pardoned by the President.

Third.—In counties which have been disorganized, or where there are no persons who can fill the several county offices, either in consequence of death or otherwise, special appointments will be immediately made when the necessity for such appointments shall he made known to me.

Fourth.—The sheriffs hereby appointed, or in case there be no sheriffs the judge of probate or the coroner, or any justice of the peace, in the order in which they are here placed shall hold an election at the several election precincts in each county, on Monday, the 7th day of August next, for delegates to a convention for the purposes mentioned in the President's proclamation. Voters for delegates to this convention must possess the qualifications required by the Constitution and laws as they existed prior to the 9th day of January, 1861, and must also produce a certificate that they have taken, before a competent officer, the amnesty oath prescribed by the proclamation of the 29tn of May, 1865, which certificate shall be attached to or accompanied by a copy of the oath, and no one will be eligible as a member of this convention who has not also taken this oath. The sheriff shall give public notice of the election by posting up this proclamation or otherwise.

Fifth.—Each county and town entitled to separate representation shall be entitled to be represented in the convention by the same number of representatives they were entitled to in the lower branch of the Legislature prior to the 9th day of January, 1861.

Sixth.—The returning officers of the election shall give to the persons having the highest number of votes a certificate of election, and the delegates so elected shall assemble at the city of Jackson, on Monday, the 14th day of August next, and shall organize a convention by electing proper officers, and adopting necessary rules, and after taking an oath to support the Constitution of the United States, may proceed in the discharge of their duties.

Seventh.—The Trustees of the University of Mississippi are required to meet at Oxford, on Monday, the 31st day of July, for the purpose of putting the institution in operation.

Eighth.—-Crime must be suppressed and guilty persons punished. The commanding general at this post has kindly offered to use the forces under his command for the protection of the people and for the apprehension of offenders against the law: and it is hoped the people will give him timely information, and render such assistance as will enable him to carry out this laudable object. I would advise the people, when it may be necessary in consequence of their remoteness from a military force, to organize themselves into a county patrol, for the apprehension of offenders, who, when arrested, if they cannot be safely confined in the county, may be brought to Jackson for confinement in the military prison until they can be disposed of by civil law. In taking recognizances the justices of the peace will make them returnable to the text term of the circuit court as now established by law, or that may hereafter be established by law.

Probably there are some persons who have some conscientious scruples about taking the amnesty oath, because they believe the emancipation proclamation unconstitutional. I allude to the subject only because I have understood there are a few such. This objection certainly cannot be raised with propriety by such as denied that they were subject to the Constitution of the United States as the supreme law when the proclamation was issued. Whether it be constitutional or not is a question which the people have no right to determine; th« determination of that question rests with the supreme judicial department of the Government. Legislative bodies often pass unconstitutional acts, but they must be regarded as valid, and they must be observed as the law, until the proper department of the Government declares them void. Every presumption is in favor of their validity. And it is precisely the 9ame case with executive acts. This proclamation, therefore, must be regarded as valid until the Supreme Court shall decide otherwise. When it does so decide, parties will be absolved from the obligation of the oath. Perhaps, however, parties who believe the proclamation void are over-sanguine in the correctness of their opinions. There is a general principle in the law of nations which authorizes one belligerent party to do toward his enemy whatever will strengthen himself and weaken his enemy, limited, of course, by the laws of humanity. . Some writers of high authority hold that legitimate power in war, toward an enemy, is coextensive with necessity. Even the desolating of a country and the burning of towns and villages are held to be justifiable acts in certain cases. Whether these principles be broad enough to cover the taking of slaves, as they certainly are with regard to other property, is not for me to determine, and I mention them only to show to those who entertain this opinion that perhaps it does not rest on as solid a foundation as they imagine it does. The people of the Southern States were in rebellion; the President of the United States had a right to prescribe terms of amnesty; he has done so, and it is hoped the people will all cheerfully take this oath, with a fixed purpose to observe it in good faith. Why should they now hesitate or doubt since slavery has ceased to be a practical question f It was the ostensible cause of the war; it was staked on the issue of the war, and that issue has been decided against us. It is the part of wisdom and of honor to submit without a murmur. The negroes are now free—free by the fortunes of war—free by the proclamation—free by common consent—free practically, as well as theoretically, and it is too late to raise technical questions as to the means by which they became so. Besides, it would be bad policy now to undertake to change their condition if we could do so. It would be nothing less than an effort to establish slavery where it does not exist. Therefore let us cordially unite in our efforts to organize our State Government, so that we may, by wise legislation, prepare ourselves to live in prosperity and happiness in the changed condition of our domestic relations. Fellow-citizens, I accept the office of Provisional Governor in full view of the troubles and responsibilities incident to it. I was actuated by no other motive than a desire to aid the people in organizing a civil government preparatory to the restoration of their harmonious relations with the Government of the United States. That I shall commit errors I know full well; but I know also that I shall very soon leave the office, and that I shall carry with me the consoling reflection that I endeavored to subserve the best interest of the people in this critical and trying conjunction of public affairs. The people of the South have just passed through a most terrible and disastrous revolution, in which they have signally failed to accomplish their purpose. Perhaps their success would have proved to be the greatest calamity that could have befallen their country, and the greatest calamity to the cause of civil liberty throughout the world. The true patriot finds his greatest enjoyment in the noble and pleasing reflection that bis government is to live after him with an honored name, to shed its blessings on millions through future centuries. And as good governments are things of growth, improved by the lights of experience and often by revolutions, let us hope—sad and disastrous as this revolution has been—that the lessons it has taught us will not be destitute of value. The business of improving our government, if it Page 581 should be found to need it, and of promoting reconciliation between the Northern and Southern people, are now prominent duties before us, so that we may hereafter live in the more secure and perfect enjoyment of the great patrimony left us by our fathers, and so that those who ore to come after us may long enjoy in their fullest functions the inestimable blessing of civil liberty, the best birthright and noblest inheritance of mankind.

Done at the city of Jackson, on the 1st day of July, A. D. 1865.

                                                   W. L. SHARKEY.

     By the Governor:

James R. Yerger, Secretary of State.

On the 17th of July the Governor ordered a tax of one dollar on each hale of cotton sent to market, toward paying the expenses of the State Convention provided for as above, and on the 21st issued an order doubling the tax in cases where payment was refused, and authorizing the sheriff to seize and sell at public auction a sufficient quantity of cotton to pay the tax. The election of delegates was characterized by an unusual degree of quiet, and, pursuant to the Governor's proclamation, the Convention, the first to meet under the call of a provisional Governor, assembled at Jackson on the 14th of August. James R. Yerger was chosen president, and made a short address, in which he expressed the hope that they were entering on an era of restoration, peace, and prosperity, and of security to the generations to come after them.

After the election of a secretary, the oath to support the Constitution of the United States was administered to all the delegates. On the 17th a memorial was adopted, to be presented to the President of the United States, praying him not to garrison the State with negro troops. This was presented to General Osterhaus, to be forwarded. On the 21st the following amendment to the State Constitution was adopted, after an earnest debate, by a vote of 86 to 11:

The institution of slavery having been abolished by the State of Mississippi, neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, otherwise than in punishment of crime, of which the party shall have been duly convicted, shall hereafter exist in this State; and the Legislature at the next session, and thereafter, as the public welfare may require, shall provide for the protection and security of the persons and property of the freedmen of this State, and guard them and the State against the evils that may arise from their sudden emancipation.

On the same day an ordinance was passed, providing for a general election according to the constitution and the election laws of the State as they existed on the 1st of January, 1801, for Representatives in Congress, State officers, and members of the Legislature, and for a special election of county, district, judicial, and ministerial officers, both to be held on the Bd of October. On the 22d an ordinance was passed, declaring the ordinance of secession null and void, and repealing all the ordinances of the Convention of 1861, except the revenue ordinance, which was left for the Legislature to act upon. On the 23d an ordinance was passed, ratifying all laws and official acts passed since the act of secession, not repugnant to the Constitutions of the United States and Mississippi, prior to January, 1861, except the laws concerning crimes and the acts enabling railroads to pay moneys borrowed by them; also repealing all laws authorizing the payment of dues to the State in Confederate scrip, and all laws authorizing the distillation of spirits on State account; ratifying all official accounts, proceedings, judgments, decrees, etc., of the several courts; legalizing all sales made by administrators and others acting in a judicial capacity; authorizing executors and others to compromise with persons against whom they held notes, as to the real value of the property for which such notes were given; authorizing ex parte testimony to be taken to prove whether or not contracts which had been made contemplated specie or currency payments; ratifying all marriages consummated since January, 1861, whether celebrated with the usual forms or not. On the 24th Governor Sharkey sent in to the Convention the following despatch from President Johnson:

                                                     EXECUTIVE MANSION,

                                             Washington, D. C, August 16,1865.

General Wm. L. Sharkey, Jackson, Mississippi:

I am gratified to see that you have organized your convention without difficulty. I hope that without delay your convention will amend your State constitution, abolishing slavery and denying to all future Legislatures the power to legislate that there is property in man; also that they will adopt the amendment to the Constitution of the United States abolishing slavery. If you could extend the elective franchise to all persons of color who can read the Constitution of the United States in English and write their names, t and to all persons of color who own real estate valued at not less than two hundred and fifty dollars and pay taxes thereon, you would completely disarm the adversary and set an example the other States will follow. This you can do with perfect safety, and you would thus place Southern States in reference to free persons of color upon the same basis with the free States. I hope and trust your convention will do this, and as a consequence the radicals, who are wild upon negro franchise, will be completely foiled in their attempts to keep the Southern States from renewing their relations to the Union by not accepting their Senators and Representatives.

ANDREW JOHNSON, President United States.

On the same day, after laying on the table a proposition to submit the constitutional amendment to the people for ratification or rejection, and nominating Judge E. S. Fisher for Governor, the Convention adjourned sine die. At an informal meeting of the delegates in their individual capacity, a petition to President Johnson, praying him to pardon Jefferson Davis and Governor Clarke, was read, and a resolution was adopted requesting the President of the Convention to forward the memorial to the President of the United States.

A good deal of excitement was occasioned by the taking of a man, named Potter, out of the custody of a civil magistrate, by General Osterhaus, while he was undergoing trial for shooting a negro in the act of robbery. General Osterhaus published, in the Jackson "News" of the 2d of September, a reply to some strictures made in Page 582 that paper with regard to his course, alleging that what he had done was strictly within the scope of his instructions, which were as follows:

General Orders No. 18.

Headquarters Department or Mississippi,

Vicksburg, Mississippi, August 15,1865.

The following endorsement on a communication regarding jurisdiction of military courts in certain cases, which was addressed to the Assistant Judge Advocate General, and by him referred to the Judge Advocate General of the army, and which is approved by the Secretary of War, is published for the information of all concerned:

War Department, Bureau of Military Justice,

                                                                    July 25,1865.

Respectfully returned to Colonel W. M. Dunn, Assistant Judge Advocate General.

The trials by military commission of the within named citizens of Mississippi (Cooper, Downing, and Saunders), charged with capital and other gross assaults upon colored soldiers of our army (and in one instance of a similar treatment of a colored female), should be at once proceeded with; and all like cases of crime in that locality should be promptly and vigorously prosecuted. That the President has accorded a Provisional Government to the State of Mississippi is a fact which should not be allowed to abridge or injuriously affect the jurisdiction heretofore properly assumed by military courts in that region during the war. And especially is the continued exercise of that jurisdiction called for, in cases—1st, of wrong or injury done by citizens to soldiers (whether white or black); and 2d, of assault or abuse of colored citizens generally; where, indeed, the local tribunals are either unwilling (by reason of inherent prejudice) or incapable (by reason of the defective machinery, or because of some State law declaring colored persons incompetent as witnesses) to do full justice or properly punish the offenders.

The State of Mississippi, in common with other insurgent States, is still in the occupation of our forces, and—embraced, as it is, in a military department—is still, to a very considerable extent, under the control of the military authorities. Moreover, the rebellion, though physically crushed, has not been officially announced or treated, either directly or indirectly, as a thing of the past; the suspension of the habeas corpus has not been terminated, nor has military law ceased to be enforced, in proper cases, through the agency of military courts und military commanders, in all parts of the country. It is to be added that the charges against the within named parties have been examined and found to be generally substantially correct in form. A few changes only in the allegations have been noted as proper to be made before these charges are served upon the accused.

(Signed)                                               A. A. HOSMER,

                                                    Major and Judge Advocate.

(In the absence of the Judge Advocate General.)

Approved: (Signed)                                  E. M. STANTON,

                                                                         Secretary of War.

July 27, 1865.

By order of Major-General SLOCUM.

J. Warren Miller, Assistant Adjutant-General.

The rule laid down as above by Judge Advocate Hosmer, and endorsed by Secretary Stanton, constituted also, it would seem, a sufficient justification of General Slocum in the following transactions. On the 19th of August Governor Sharkey issued the following proclamation, calling on the people to organize under the militia laws of the State a force for the apprehension of offenders and the prevention of crime:

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Jackson, August 19,1865.

Information having reached me that parties of bad men have banded together in different parts of the State for the purpose of robbing and plundering, and for violating the law in various ways, and that outrages of various kinds are being perpetrated, and the military authorities of the United States being insufficient to protect the people throughout the entire State, I do therefore call upon the people, and especially on such as are liable to perform military duty and are familiar with military discipline, to organize volunteer companies in each county in the State, if practicable, at least one company of cavalry and one of infantry, as speedily as possible, for the detection of criminals, the prevention of crime, and the preservation of good order. And I urge upon these companies, when formed, that they will be vigilant in the discharge of their duties. These companies will be organized under the law in relation to volunteer companies, as contained in the Revised Code and the amendment thereto passed on the 10th day of February, 1860, except that as soon as the proper number shall volunteer the election of officers may take place immediately and without further order, and commissions will be issued as soon as returns are received, and the election may be held by any justice of the peace. I most earnestly call upon the young men of the State, who have so distinguished themselves for gallantry, to respond promptly to this call, which is made in behalf of a suffering people. It will be the duty, as I hope it will be the pleasure, of these companies to pursue and apprehend all offenders against law, and by vigilance to prevent crime; to aid the civil authorities, and to contribute all in their power to the restoration of good order in the community. Arms will be procured, if possible, for such as may not have them; but I would advise an immediate organization with such arms as can be procured.

Given under my hand, and the great seal of the State affixed.

W. L. SHARKEY,

Provisional Governor of Mississippi.

On the 24th General Slocum issued an order interfering with the proposed organization of the State militia, as follows:

General Orders No. 22.

                HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF MISSISSIPPI,

                         Vicksburg, Mississippi, August 24,1865.

The attention of District Commanders is called to a proclamation of the Provisional Governor of the State of Mississippi, of the 19th inst., which provides for the organization of a military force in each county of the State.

While the General Government deems it necessary to maintain its authority here by armed forces, it is important that the powers and duties of the officers commanding should be clearly defined.

The State of Mississippi was one of the first that engaged in the recent rebellion. For more than four years all her energies have been devoted to a war upon our Government. At length, from exhaustion, she has been compelled to lay down her arms; but no orders have as yet been received by the military authorities on duty here indicating that the State has been relieved from the hostile position which she voluntarily assumed toward the United States.

The General Government, earnestly desiring to restore the State to its former position, has appointed a Provisional Governor, with power to call a convention for the accomplishment of that purpose. Upon the military forces devolve the duties of preserving order and of executing the laws of Congress and the orders of the War Department. The orders defining the rights and privileges to be secured to freedman meet with opposition in many parts of the State, and the duties devolving upon military officers, in the execution of these orders, arc often of a delicate nature. It ha3 certainly been the desire of the Department Page 583 Commander, and, so far as he has observed, of all officers on duty in the State, to execute these orders in a spirit of conciliation and forbearance; and while obeying implicitly all instructions of the President and the War Department, to make military rule as little odious as possible to the people. While the military authorities have acted in this spirit, and have been as successful as could have been anticipated, the Provisional Governor has thought proper, without consultation with the Department Commander, or with any other officer of the United States on duty here, to organize and arm a force in every county, urging the "young men of the State, who have so distinguished themselves for gallantry, to respond promptly to his call; meaning thereby that class of men who have as yet scarcely laid down the arms with which they have been opposing our Government. Such force, if organized as proposed, is to be independent of the military authority now present, and superior in strength to the United States forces on duty in the State. To permit the young men who have so distinguished themselves to be armed and organized independently of United States military officers on duty here, and to allow them to operate in counties now garrisoned by colored troops, filled, as many of these men are, not only with prejudice against those troops, and against the execution of orders relative to freedmen, but even against our Government itself, would bring about a collision at once, and increase in a tenfold degree the difficulties that now beset the people. It is to be hoped that the day will soon come when the young men called upon by Governor Sharkey and the colored men now serving the United States will zealously coöperate for the preservation of order and the promotion of the interests of the State and nation. It will be gratifying to the friends of the colored race to have the assurance in an official proclamation from the Provisional Governor that the day has already arrived when the experiment can safely be attempted. But as the questions on which these two classes will be called to cooperate are those with regard to which there would undoubtedly be some difference of opinion, particularly as to the construction of certain laws relative to freedmen, the Commanding General prefers to postpone the trial for the present. It is the earnest desire of all military officers, as it must be of every good citizen, to hasten the day when the troops can, with safety, be withdrawn from this State, and the people be left to execute their own laws; but this will not be hastened by arming at this time the young men of the State.

The proclamation of the Provisional Governor is based on the supposed necessity of increasing the military forces in the State to prevent the commission of crime by bad men. It is a remarkable fact that most of the outrages have been committed against Northern men, Government couriers, and colored people. Southern citizens have been halted by these outlaws, but at once released and informed that they had been stopped by mistake; and these citizens have refused to give information as to the parties by whom they were halted, although frankly acknowledging that they knew them.

Governor Sharkey, in a communication written after his call for the organization of militia forces was made, setting forth the necessity for such organization, states that the people are unwilling to give information to the United States military authorities which will lead to the detection of these outlaws, and suggests, as a remedy for these evils, the arming of the very people who refuse to give Buch information.

A better plan will be to disarm all such citizens, and make it for their interest to aid those who have been sent here to restore order and preserve peace. It is therefore

Ordered, That District Commanders give notice at once to all persons within their respective districts that no military organizations, except those under the control of the United States authorities, will be permitted within their respective commands; and that, if any attempt is made to organize after such notice, those engaged in it will be arrested. Whenever any outrages are committed upon either citizens or soldiers, the commander of the post nearest the point where the offence is committed will report the fact to the District Commander, who will forthwith Bend as strong a force to the locality as can be spared.

The officer in command of such force will at once disarm every citizen within ten miles of the place where the offence was committed. If any citizen possessing information which would lead to the capture of the outlaws refuses to impart the same, he will be arrested and held for trial. The troops will be quartered on his premises, and he will be compelled to provide for the support of men and animals. These villains can be arrested, unless they receive encouragement from some portion of the community in which they operate, and such communities must be held responsible for their acts, and must be made to realize the inevitable consequences of countenancing such outrages.

By order of Major-General SLOCUM.

J. Warren Miller, Assistant Adjutant-General.

On the 29th the President received a despatch from General Carl Schurz, expressing doubts of the propriety of Governor Sharkey's course, and deprecating any action by the President adverse to the order issued by General Slocum. Next day the President telegraphed to General Schurz as follows:

                                             EXECUTIVE MANSION,

                                       WASHINGTON, D. C, August 30,1865.

Major-General Carl Schurz, Vicksburg, Mississippi;

I presume General Slocum will issue no order interfering with Governor Sharkey in restoring the functions of the State government without first consulting the Government, giving the reasons for such proposed interference. It is believed there can be organized in each county a force of citizens or militia to suppress treason, preserve order, and enforce the civil authority of the State and of the United States, which would enable the Federal Government to reduce the army and withdraw to a great extent the forces of the United States, thereby reducing the enormous expenses of the Government. If there was any danger from an organization of the citizens for the purpose indicated, the military are there to detect and suppress on the first appearance any move insurrectionary in its character. One great object is to induce the people to come forward in the defence of the State and Federal Government. General Washington declared that the people of the militia was the army of the Constitution, or the army of the United States, and as soon as it is practicable, the original design of the Government must be resumed, and the government administered upon the principles of the great chart of freedom handed down to the people by the founders of the republic.

The people must be trusted with their government, and, if trusted, my opinion is they will act in good faith and restore their former constitutional relations with all the States composing the Union. The main object of Major-General Carl Schurz's mission to the South was to aid, as far as practicable, in carrying out the policy adopted by the Government for restoring the States to their former relations with the Federal Government.

It is hoped such aid has been given. The proclamation authorizing restoration of State governments requires the military to aid the Provisional Governor in the performance of his duties as prescribed in the proclamation, and in no manner to interfere or throw impediments in the way of consummating the object Page 584 of his appointment, at least without advising the Government of the intended interference.

ANDREW JOHNSON,

                                                    President United States.

On the 2d of September the President received a despatch from Governor Sharkey, stating that General Slocum had issued an order preventing the execution of his proclamation of August 19th, and acknowledging the receipt of a copy of the despatch sent to General Carl Schurz. A similar despatch was subsequently sent to Governor Sharkey. On the same day the following despatch was sent to General Slocum:

WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, September 2d.

To Major-General Slocum: Upon the 19th of August Governor Sharkey issued a proclamation calling for the formation of military companies in each county to detect criminals and prevent crime and preserve good order in places where the military forces of the United States were insufficient to do so. If yon have issued any order countermanding this proclamation or interfering with its execution, you will at once revoke it. Acknowledge the receipt of this order and telegraph your action.

    By order of the President of the United States,

                 T. T. ECK.ERT, Acting Ass. Sec. War.

General Slocum promptly issued the following order, revoking his order of August 24th:

General Orders No. 23.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF MISSISSIPPI,

Vicksburg, Mississippi, Sept 4,1865.

By direction of the President of the United States, General Orders No. 22, current series from these headquarters, is hereby revoked.

No officer will, in any manner, interfere with the organization of troops pursuant to the proclamation of the Provisional Governor.

The order which is hereby revoked was issued, as stated therein, from apprehension of danger of conflict between the State troops and colored troops serving the United States, and in the firm belief that it was in accordance with the policy of the Government.

It is the imperative duty of every United States officer serving in this department to be guarded in the execution of all orders; to avoid giving offence; and in case of conflict with either officers or soldiers serving under the State authorities, to postpone action in the matter, if possible, until it has been referred to the district or department commander for decision.

                               By order of Major-General SLOCUM.

  J. W. Miller, A. A. G.

The condition and relations of the freedmen became the subject of much discussion in Mississippi. Many of the negroes remained with their old masters; others roamed about the country in idle vagrancy. Almost all of them had very extravagant notions of their newly acquired rights and privileges. Their late owners and the white population generally, on the other hand, though accepting the new order of things in good faith as an inevitable necessity, were for the most part unprepared to grant equal rights to the negroes. Some even expected the restoration of slavery sooner or later. Little trouble, however, actually occurred between the freedmen and their employers. All labor was contracted for, and owners of plantations were anxious to make contracts for 1866, being apprehensive that laborers would be procured with difficulty at the beginning of the season. The admission of negro testimony in courts of justice and the right to sue and be sued, incident to the right to protection of person and property guaranteed by the amended State constitution, met with much opposition; and Colonel Thomas, Assistant Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau, having proposed to turn over the business of his court to the civil authorities, Governor Sharkey issued the following proclamation:

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, JACKSON, September 25,1865.

By an order bearing date the 20th inst., Colonel Samuel Thomas, Assistant Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau in this State, proposes to transfer to the civil authorities of the State the right to try all cases in which the rights of freedmen are involved, either for injuries done to their persons or property. This proposition is made, however, on condition that "the judicial officers and magistrates of the provisional government of the State will take for their mode of procedure the laws now in force in this State, except so far as those laws make a distinction on account of color, and allow negroes the same rights and privileges as are accorded to white men before their courts;" by which I understand that negroes shall be allowed to testify in cases where their interest is involved. And believing that the late constitutional amendment which abolished slavery abolishes all laws which constituted a part of the policy of the system of slavery, and in declaring that the negro shall be protected in his person and property, establishes principles which, of themselves, entitle the negro to sue and be sued, and as a necessary incident to Buch right, that he is made competent as a witness, according to the laws of evidence of the State: Now, therefore, I, William L. Sharkey, Provisional Governor of Mississippi, with a view of securing to our citizens the rights of trial before their own officers, and under their own laws, rather than by a military tribunal and by military law, do hereby proclaim and make known that in all cases, civil or criminal, in which the rights of negroes are involved, either for injuries done to their persons or property, or in matters of contract, the testimony of negroes may be received, subject to the common rules of evidence, as regards competency and credibility, which prevail in regard to white persons. And I do therefore accept the proposition of Colonel Samuel Thomas, Assistant Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau of this State, and request that no freedmen's court shall hereafter be organized, and that those already in existence be closed, and instructed to transfer the cases before them to civil authorities; and I hereby instruct all judicial officers and magistrates to act accordingly, until the Legislature shall act upon this subject.

Given under my hand and the great seal of the State affixed this day and date above written.

                                                                W. L. SHARKEY,

                                                Provisional Governor of Mississippi.

The State election took place on the 2d of December, and resulted in the choice of General Benj. G. Humphreys for Governor, II. J. Harris for Secretary of State, T. T. Swann for Auditor, General John H. Echols for Treasurer, and C. E. Hooker for Attorney-General. Five Congressmen were also elected. The total vote of the State for Governor was' 44,916. In 1860 the total vote for President was 69,120. Both houses of the Legislature convened and organized on the 16th. Governor Sharkey was chosen United States Senator, to fill the unexpired Page 585 term of Jefferson Davis, and J. L. Alcorn for the long term.

Governor Humphreys, in his inaugural message, after asserting the supremacy of the Constitution of the United States, said that he had "always believed that no one or more States could constitutionally sever the ties that unite the people of the several States into one people," 'though not unmindful that a different doctrine had been taught and maintained by some of the brightest intellects and most illustrious patriots. He regretted that the solution of the question had been referred to the arbitrament of war; but having been so referred and decided beyond appeal, the people of the State acknowledged the decision, and were anxious to renew their fealty to the United States, and in good faith to maintain it. "It is now our duty," said he, "to address ourselves to the promotion of peace and order—to the restoration of law, the faith of the Constitution, and the stability and prosperity of the Union; to cultivate amicable relations with our sister States, and establish our agricultural and commercial prosperity upon more durable foundations—trusting that the lessons taught by the rebellion will not be lost either to the North or the South—that freemen, once enlightened, will not submit to wrong or injustice, that sectional aggression will meet with sectional resistance, and that the price of political perfidy is blood and carnage." To attempt to persuade the world that the State had abolished slavery willingly, would, he said, be "hypocritical and unprofitable." It would be due, however, to her honor to show by her future course that she had done so in good faith, and that slavery should never again exist within her borders. "With regard to the emancipated slaves he said, "The highest degree of elevation in the scale of civilization to which they are capable morally and intellectually must be secured to them by their education and religious training; but they cannot be admitted to political or social equality with the white race. It is due to ourselves—to the white emigrant invited to our shores—and, it should never be forgotten, to maintain the fact that ours is and it shall ever be a government of white men." He urged that the State, in the guardianship she might assume over the freedman, should deal justly with him, and protect him in all his rights of person and property, but that he should be required to choose somo employment that would insure the maintenance of himself and his family, and that he should be compelled to fulfil his contracts for labor.

On the 26th the State Auditor, in compliance with a resolution adopted by the House of Representatives the day before, made the following statements:

1st The amount of Cotton Notes issued under an act entitled "an act authorizing the issuance of Treasury Notes, as advances upon cotton," approved December 19,1861……… $5,000,000 00

2d. The amount of Auditor's Warrants drawn upon the Treasury as advance upon cotton…. $5,000,002 00

3d. The amount of cotton bonds redeemed to 1st May, 1865, and notes destroyed…… $1,171,163 50

Redeemed to 20th May, 1865, notes not destroyed……….. $26,173 85

Redeemed from October 24th and 25th, 1865………. 6,095 60

$1,202,487 85

Cotton bonds unpaid………… $3,793,564 65

On the same day the treasurer reported as follows:

Bonds to secure advance on cotton have been filed in this office amounting to $4,101,717 50

Overissue on bonds and repaid into Treasury by A. J. Gillespie, Auditor ………150 00

Outstanding Auditor's warrants issued for advance on cotton…… 8,184 50………… $5,000,002 00

Amount cotton money repaid and burned $1,171,168 50 20,623 00 

"to me since

16th October, 1865. $6,095 50

Total amount paid to redeem bonds $1,208,882 60

While the Legislature was in session the following correspondence took place between Governor Humphreys and President Johnson:

To His Excellency the President of the United States:

A telegram just received from the President of Mobile and Ohio Railroad, says: Passenger trains of cars were attacked on the evening of the 14th, possession taken by a garrison of colored troops at Lauderdale Springs, ladies insulted, and the officers unable to control the troops.

The Legislature has memorialized for removal of United States troops, and seem willing to extend to the freedmen the right to testify in court, if assured the troops would be withdrawn. Members fear that one concession only leads to another. What assurances can I give on this subject?

             B. G. HUMPHREYS, Governor of Mississippi.

                                             Washington, November 17,1865.

B. G. Humphreys:

The troops will be withdrawn from Mississippi when, in the opinion of the Government, the peace and order of the civil authorities have been restored and can be maintained without them. Every step will be taken while they are there to enforce strict discipline and subordination to the civil authorities. There can be no other or greater assurance than has heretofore been on the part of the Federal Government.

There is no concession required on the part of the people of Mississippi, or the Legislature, other than a legal compliance with the laws and Constitution of the United States, and the adoption of such measures giving protection to all freedmen and possession of property without regard to color, as will entitle them to assume their constitutional rights in the Federal Union. The people of Mississippi may feel well assured that there is no arbitrary disposition on the part of the Government to dictate what their action shall be, but on the contrary to simply and kindly advise a policy that is beneficial and will result in restoring all the relations which should exist between the States comprising the Federal Union. It is hoped that they will feel and appreciate the suggestions herein made, for they are done in that spirit which should pervade the bosom of all who desire peace and harmony, and a thorough restoration of the Union. There must be a confidence between Government and States, while the Government confides in the people. The people must have faith in the Government. This must be mutual and reciprocal, or all that has been done will be thrown away.

                                           ANDREW JOHNSON, President

Page 586

This letter of President Johnson was not without effect. It became apparent that there was only one way in which the State might be rid of the presence of a military force, and the rule of the civil authorities be fully restored. On the 20th Governor Humphreys sent a message to the Legislature, in which, though he used some very strong language in condemnation of the Freedmen’s Bureau, he argued that as the amended State constitution guaranteed protection to the person and property of the freedman, and that as this could not be effected except through an independent and enlightened judiciary, the courts must be thrown open to the negro; but that this would be idle if he were not permitted to testify himself and introduce such testimony as he or his attorney might deem essential to establish the truth and justice of his case. He added: "It is an insult to the intelligence and virtue of our courts and juries of white men, to say or suspect that they cannot or will not protect the innocent, whether white or black, against the falsehoods and perjury of black witnesses." He recommended, therefore, that negro testimony should be admitted in the courts, not only for the protection of the freedman, but for the security of society against the crimes of both races.

The Legislature before adjourning passed a bill conferring civil rights upon freedmen, free negroes, and mulattoes, according to the provisions of which they may sue and be sued in all the courts of the State, and may devise and inherit property; negro marriages are legalized; the marriage of a white person with a negro is made felony, and punishable with confinement in the State penitentiary for life; negroes are competent witnesses in all suits in which negroes are parties; every negro must have a legalized certificate of his mode of employment; all contracts made by negroes for hire for longer periods than one month must be in writing, and if a negro without just cause leave his employer he forfeits all wages; every civil officer is required to take back to his employer a negro deserting him, both parties having the right of appeal to the circuit court; justices may issue warrants for the arrest of freedmen who desert their employers; negroes employed cannot be hired by others; negroes may make affidavits and begin suits in courts of law and equity; the penal code of the State is made the same for whites and blacks, except in cases otherwise specially provided by statute.

An act was passed to ascertain the number of maimed State and Confederate soldiers in the State, with a view to providing them with artificial limbs. An exemption law, and a stay law suspending the laws for the collection of debts till the 1st of January, 1868, were both passed over the Governor's veto. The amendment to the Constitution of the United States was ratified, with the qualification that this ratification is expressly made and adopted upon the conditions and with the reservations following:

1. It shall not be construed into an approval or endorsement of the political principles or doctrine that the reserved rights of a State can, without the consent of such State, be usurped or abridged by the Federal Government, through the instrumentality of a Constitutional amendment. 2. It shall not be construed into expressed or implied consent on the part of the Legislature that Congress shall abolish slavery where it lawfully exists \p any State that may refuse to ratify said amendment.

3. The emancipation of slavery in this State being a fixed fact—distinctly recognized by her constitution, and by recent legislative enactments, designed in good faith to maintain and protect the civil rights of the freedmen appertaining to their new condition of freedom—the second section of said amendment shall not be construed as a grant of power to Congress to legislate in regard to the freedmen of this State; but so far as relates to this State it shall be construed simply as a grant of power to Congress by appropriate legislation to prohibit and prevent the reestablishment of slavery therein.

NORTH CAROLINA. The civil aspect of affairs in North Carolina was unchanged at the commencement of the year. The authorities presented a bold and confident aspect, and were unremitting in their efforts to stimulate the people. "I trust and believe," said Governor Vance in a proclamation to the people, "that there will be little difference of opinion in North Carolina, as to the propriety of continued resistance. The great argument which will be brought forward to shake your honor, and intended to excite you to despair, will be that successful resistance is no longer possible. Some will tell you that we are already subdued; that the enemy outnumbers us; that our fighting men are all slain; our resources all exhausted, and we might as well submit now. This, my countrymen, is false, and as frequently proceeds from a craven or a traitorous as from an honest but mistaken spirit." As an evidence of strength to carry on the war, although it equally proved an indisposition to continue hostilities, the Governor further said: "Over four hundred thousand names yet stand upon the muster-rolls of the Confederacy, to say nothing of the many thousands who shirk. Where are they? Thousands upon thousands, absent without leave, are lurking in the woods and swamps of the South; hundreds of thousands of bushels of grain now rot at the various depots of the South for want of transportation, and this transportation cannot be protected because these absent soldiers are not at the post of duty." After the advance of General Sherman from Savannah had commenced, the Governor found it necessary to appeal again to the people to contribute for the support of General Lee's forces, as the interruption of railroad communication greatly endangered their subsistence. At this time he proposed that each one should set apart a certain portion of his stores to be delivered at intervals to the nearest commissary agent. The military operations, however, which are related elsewhere (see Army Operations), soon exhibited the Federal strength so overwhelming and irresistible as to convince the most reluctant that the hour of submission was near at hand. The fall of "Wilmington, the arrival of Sherman at Goldsboro', the surrender of Lee, followed soon after by that of Johnston, extinguished both the power and the disposition of the State to make further resistance. For the preservation of order until the will of the military commanders should be made known, Governor Vance now issued the following proclamation:

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

                                                    Greensboro', April 28, 1865. 

Whereas, By the recent surrender of the principal armies of the Confederate States, further resistance to the forces of the United States has become rain, and would result in useless waste of blood; and, Whereas, All the natural disorders attendant upon the disbanding of large armies are upon us, and the country is filled with numerous bands of citizens and soldiers disposed to do violence to persons and property:

Now, therefore, I, Zebulon D. Vance, Governor of the State of North Carolina, in the sincere hope of averting some of The many evils which threaten us, do issue this my proclamation, commanding all such persons to abstain from any and all acts 01 lawlessness; to avoid assembling together in 'crowds in all towns and cities, or doing any thing whatsoever calculated to cause excitement, and earnestly appealing to all good citizens who are now at home, to remain there, and to all soldiers of this State to retire quietly to their homes, and exert themselves in preserving order, should it become necessary for the protection of citizens. I also appeal to the good and true soldiers of North Carolina, whether they have been surrendered and paroled, or otherwise, to unite themselves together in sufficient numbers, in the various counties of the State, under the superintendence of the civil magistrates thereof, to elect or stay any bodies of lawless or unprincipled men who may be committing depredations upon the persons or property of peaceable citizens, assuring them that it will be no violation of the parole to do so; and I would assure my fellow-citizens, generally, that under God I will do all that may be in my power, to settle the government of the State, to restore the civil authority in her borders, and to further the great ends of peace, domestic tranquillity, and the general welfare of the people. Without their aid I am powerless to do any thing.

          By the Governor,

                          M. McPhetors, Private Secretary.

On the next day General Schofield, then Federal commander in the State, announced in the folio wing order the policy which he proposed to pursue:

General Orders No. 31.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,

ARMY OF THE OHIO, RALEIGH, N. C. April 29, l865.

The Commanding General has great satisfaction in announcing to the army and people of North Carolina that hostilities within this State have definitely ceased; that for us war is ended, and it is hoped that peace will soon be restored throughout the country. It is now the duty of all to cultivate friendly relations with the same zeal which has characterized our conduct of the war, that the blessings of union, peace, and material prosperity may be speedily restored to the entire country.

Page 624 It is confidently believed and expected that the troops of the army and people of North Carolina will cordially unite in an honest endeavor to accomplish this great end.

All good and peaceable citizens will be protected and treated with kindness, while those who disturb the peace er violate the laws will be punished with the severity of martial law.

The troops will be distributed so as best to secure the interests of the United States Government, and protect the people until civil government can be established in harmony with the Constitution and laws of the United States.

The most perfect discipline and good conduct are enjoined upon all officers and soldiers, and cordial support upon all good citizens.

All who are peaceably disposed are invited to return to their homes, and to resume their industrial pursuits. Such as have been deprived of their animals and wagons by hostile armies will be temporarily supplied, as far as practicable, upon application to the nearest Provost Marshal, by loans of captured property in possession of the Quartermaster's Department. The needy will also be supplied for the time being with subsistence stores from the Commissary Department.

It will be left to the Judicial Department of the Government to punish those political leaders who are responsible for secession, rebellion, and civil war, with all its horrors. Between the Government of the United States and the people of North Carolina there is peace.

   By command of           Major-General SCHOFIELD.

   J. A. Campbell, Assistant Adjutant-General.

To decide the civil position of the negroes, he at the same time issued the following order:

General Orders No. 22.

HEADQ’RS DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY OF THE OHIO, 

                                                       Raleigh, April 29, 1865.

To remove a doubt which seems to exist in the minds of some of the people of North Carolina, it is hereby declared that by virtue of the proclamation of the President of the United States, dated January 1, 1863, all persons in this State heretofore held as slaves are now free, and that it is the duty of the army to maintain the freedom of such persons.

It is recommended to former masters of freedmen to employ them as hired servants, at reasonable wages. And it is recommended to freedmen that when allowed to do so they remain with their former masters, and labor faithfully so long as they shall be treated kindly and paid reasonable wages, or that they immediately seek employment elsewhere in the kind of work to which they are accustomed. It is not well for them to congregate about towns or military camps. They will not be supported in idleness.

  By command of     Major-General SCHOFIELD.

  J. A. Campbell, Assistant Adjutant-General.

The aspect of affairs in the State now changed almost instantaneously. It was apparent to every mind that North Carolina was destined to be, as she had been, a State of the Federal Union. The result was universally acquiesced in, and the mass of the people turned their thoughts to the pursuits of industry and peace. Public meetings were held in various counties of the State, at which resolutions expressing the views of the people were adopted. They generally expressed abhorrence of the assassination of the late President; requested the President to adopt measures as early as practicable for the restoration of civil law in the State; and accepted the abolition of slavery as a part of the accomplished situation of affairs.

General Schofield, by his position, was virtually Military Governor of the State, and would so continue until the authority at Washington, which alone was recognized as supreme in the State, commanded a change. He therefore issued a further order regulating the relations of the freedmen and whites, as follows:

General Orders No. 46.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,

ARMY OF THE OHIO, RALEIGH, N. C, May 15,1863.

The following rules arc published for the government of freedmen in North Carolina until the restoration of civil government in the State:

1. The common laws governing the domestic relations, such as those giving parents authority and control over their children, and guardians control over their wards, are in force. The parent's or guardian's authority and obligations take the place of those of the former master.

2. The former masters are constituted the guardians of minors, and of the aged and infirm, in the absence of parents or other near relatives capable of supporting them.

3. Young men and women, under twenty-one years of age, remain under the control of their parents or guardians until they become of age, thus aiding to support their parents and younger brothers and sisters.

4. The former masters of freedmen may not turn away the young or the infirm, nor refuse to give them food and shelter; nor may the able-bodied men or women go away from their homes, or live in idleness, and leave their parents, children, or young brothers or sisters to be supported by others.

5. Persons of age, who are free from any of the obligations referred to above, are at liberty to find new homes wherever they can obtain proper employment; but they will not be supported by the Government, nor by their former masters, unless they work.

6. It will be left to the employer and servant to agree upon the wages to be paid; but freedmen are advised that for the present season they ought to expect only moderate wages, and where their employers cannot pay them money, they ought to be contented with a fair share in the crops to be raised. They have gained their personal freedom. By industry and good conduct they may rise to independence and wealth.

7. All officers, soldiers, and citizens are requested to give publicity to these rules, and to instruct the freed people as to their new rights and obligations.

8. All officers of the army, and of the county police companies, are authorized and required to correct any violation of the above rules within their jurisdiction.

9. Each district commander will appoint a superintendent of freedmen (a commissioned officer), with such number of assistants (officers and non-commissioned officers) as may be necessary, whose duty it will be to take charge of all the freed people in his district who are without homes or proper employment. The superintendents will send back to their homes all who have left them in violation of the above rules, and will endeavor to find homes and suitable employment for all others. They will provide suitable camps or quarters for such as cannot be otherwise provided for, and attend to their discipline, police, subsistence, etc.

10. The superintendents will hear all complaints of guardians or wards, and report the facts to their district commanders, who are authorized to dissolve the existing relations of guardian and ward in any case which may seem to require it, and to direct the superintendent to otherwise provide for the wards, in accordance with the above rules.

  By command of          Major-General SCHOFIELD.

  J. A. Campbell, Assistant Adjutant-General.

Public affairs continued under the control of Page 625 the military authorities until May 29th, when President Johnson issued a proclamation appointing William W. Holden Provisional Governor. This proclamation is similar to the one issued in the case of Alabama. (See Alabama.)

On June 12th Governor Holden issued a proclamation announcing his appointment, and stating that a convention would be held as early as practicable, the object before it, and the subsequent election of State and local officers, etc. Ho then urged the people with cheerfulness and confidence to resume their accustomed pursuits; invited all who had been refugees to return, assuring them of protection and encouragement in their exertions to improve their condition, and instructed the colored population in the duties proper to their new condition.

The acquiescence of the people in their altered position proceeded peacefully and rapidly, and on August 8th Provisional Governor Holden issued a proclamation for the election of delegates to a State Constitutional Convention. The persons who might be voters, the manner of election, etc., were ordered as follows:

In pursuance of power vested in me by Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, by his proclamation of Mar 29, 1865, appointing a Provisional Governor of North Carolina, under the fourth article of the Constitution of the United States, which guarantees to every State in the Union a republican form of government; and in order to enable the loyal people of said State to organize a State government, whereby justice may be established, domestic tranquillity restored, and loyal citizens protected in alt their rights of life, liberty, and property; and in order, also, that said State may be reduced to its constitutional relations to the Federal Government, by presenting such a republican form of government as will entitle the State to the guaranty of the United States therefor, and its people to protection by the United States against invasion, insurrection, and domestic violence, I, William W. Holden, Provisional Governor, as aforesaid, do hereby proclaim that an election will be held in said State on Thursday, the 21st day of September, 1865, for a convention, to be composed of one hundred and twenty delegates.

The clerks and sheriffs of the respective counties will proceed at once to assemble the justices of the peace, a majority of whom will select from their number not less than six nor more than eighteen justices, men of intelligence, discretion, firmness, and approved loyalty, whose duty it shall be to administer to those who may be entitled to receive it, the oath contained in the President's amnesty proclamation of May 29, 1865, under such instructions as may be prescribed in the proclamation. The justices shall, at the same time, appoint inspectors of the elections at the various precincts in their respective counties, in accordance with the law in relation thereto—chapter 52 Revised Code of North Carolina. The elections for members of the convention shall be conducted in the same manner as elections for members of the House of Commons, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 52 Revised Code, so far as said provisions may be applicable; and the officers appointed to hold said elections, and to make returns thereof, shall be liable to the same penalties for failure to act or for neglect of duty as are prescribed in chapter 52 Revised Code.

No person will be allowed to vote who is not a voter qualified as prescribed by the Constitution and laws of the State in force immediately before the 20th day of May, 1861, except that the payment of poll tax shall not be required.

All paroled soldiers of the army and navy of the pretended Confederate States, or of this State, and all paroled officers of the army and navy of the pretended Confederate States, or of this State, under and including the rank of colonel if of the army, and under and including the rank of lieutenant if of the navy, will be allowed to vote, provided they are not included in any of the fourteen excluded classes of the President's amnesty proclamation: and provided, further, that they are citizens of the State in accordance with the terms prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

No person will be allowed to vote who does not exhibit to the inspectors a copy of the amnesty oath, as contained in the President s proclamation of May 29, 1865, signed by himself and certified by at least two justices of the peace.

The sheriff of the respective counties shall furnish, as soon as practicable, certificates of election to those persons who may have received the highest number of votes as members of the convention; and the sheriffs shall also immediately send to the office of the Secretory of State, Raleigh, a statement of the vote in their respective counties for the members aforesaid, and also a statement of said vote, sealed up, directed to the President of the convention, Raleigh, to be laid before the convention.

The members of the convention thus chosen will assemble in the city of Raleigh, on Monday, the 2d day of October, 1865.

The attention of justices appointed to administer the amnesty oath is especially directed to the fourteen excluded classes of the President's amnesty proclamation of May 29, 1865.

Under the first exception are included all persons who have been civil or diplomatic officers or agents of the pretended Confederate Government, either within or without the territorial limits of the United States.

Under the seventh exception are included all officers, agents, or private citizens who have been absent from the United States for the purpose of aiding the rebellion.

Under the thirteenth exception are included all who, during the rebellion, have held any office or agency under the State or pretended Confederate Government, or have in any way voluntarily joined in the rebellion, as, for example, for entering or marching with armed forces hostile to the United States; by sending or furnishing money, provisions, or arms to persons engaged in the rebellion, save in cases where money or provisions were furnished from the promptings of charity or humanity; by acting with assemblages of persons, whether organized or unorganized, hostile to the United States; or in any other way giving voluntary aid, assistance, or encouragement to the rebellion, and whose taxable property on the 29th day of May, 1865, exceeded in value the sum of twenty thousand dollars.

The other exceptions are so plain as not to require explanation.

No certificate will be granted by the justices to any person who is included in any of the excluded classes, unless on exhibition by the party of his pardon for his offence from the President.

The justices appointed to administer the amnesty oath and to furnish certificates of the same, which shall be evidence of loyalty, are especially instructed to be vigilant and faithful. While it will not be their duty to attempt to pry into the hearts and consciences of men, they will, nevertheless, admonish those who may apply to take the oath, that it must be taken and subscribed to in good faith, with an honest intention on their part to keep it, without secret purpose or mental reservation upon any occasion or at any time to commit any act in violation of said oath; and they will warn them that if the oath is not thus taken and kept, the pardon offered them Page 626 by the President will be void, and they will remain subject to trial under the law for perjury and treason.

The justices, clerks, and sheriffs, whose duty it is to provide for administering the oath and to conduct the elections, are enjoined to use every practicable means to enable every citizen to take the oath who may desire and be entitled to do so. And the inspectors are enjoined to inspect and examine fairly and truly, to decide in every case in accordance with the law and with the instructions they have received from this office, and to make prompt and correct returns of the number of votes and for whom cast at their respective precincts.

Done at our city of Raleigh, the 8th day of August, 1865, and in the year of the independence of the United States the eighty-ninth.

   WILLIAM W. HOLDEN, Provisional Governor.

The delay of the Governor in issuing this proclamation and fixing the period for the election, was in order to afford time to the people to take the amnesty oath, to enroll their names and obtain the certificates required. In the discharge of his duties he was sustained by Major-General Schofield, who issued general orders requiring all officers and men to give a cordial support to the Governor and the persons appointed to office by him. At the same time the civil officers were authorised to call upon the nearest military commanders for necessary aid in the execution of their legal duties. The original proclamation of President Johnson was well received by the people of the State. They were divided into three classes: those who were Unionists, in opposition to the Confederacy; those who were Conservatives, under the Confederacy; and the Secessionists. The latter were destitute of all political power, and their influence was in a great measure destroyed by the moderation of the President's proclamation and the abstinence of all interference with the claim of suffrage for the negroes.

On the 12th of September the election for delegates to the State Convention was held, and that body assembled at Raleigh on October 2d, and organized by the election of Edwin G. Reade, an ex-member of the Thirty-fifth Congress, as President. All the counties of the state except three were found to be fully represented, and all the members present took the oath to support the Constitution of the United States. The President, on taking his seat, spoke as follows:

Gentlemen of the Convention: As the representatives of the people of North Carolina, we are assembled at a time of great perplexity to reorganize the government, which has been disturbed by a protracted and disastrous war. It is gratifying to know that a virtuous and intelligent people have chosen a body of men distinguished for abilities, of much experience, and of exalted patriotism, fully equal to the grave matters which are intrusted to them. As the interests of our constituents are the same, it is to be hoped that there will be little conflict of opinions among us, and that frank speech and courteous manners will distinguish our intercourse, so that he who has been called to preside over our deliberations will find but little inconvenience from his lack of experience, and will be enabled to use the position with which he has been honored, as he earnestly desires to do, for its legitimate objects only, fellow-citizens, we are going home. Let painful reflections upon our late separation and pleasant memories of our early union quicken our footsteps toward the old mansion, that we may grasp hard again the hand of friendship which stands at the door, and, sheltered by the old homestead which was built upon a rock and has weathered the storm, enjoy together the long, bright future which awaits us. With the guidance of Infinite Wisdom and the core of a merciful Providence, which I earnestly invoke for the Convention and for each individual member, I invite you to the calm consideration and wise solution of the important questions which are to reside in the peace, prosperity, and happiness of ourselves, and in the prosperity, strength, and grandeur of our nation.

The Provisional Governor, in a brief message to the Convention, declared their duties to be too plain to require any suggestions from him, and said:

North Carolina attempted, in May, 1861, to separate herself from the Federal Union. The attempt involved her, with other slaveholding States, in a protracted and disastrous war, the result of which was a vast expenditure of blood and treasure on her part, and the practical abolition of domestic slavery. She entered into the rebellion a slaveholding State, and she emerged from it a non-slaveholding State. In other respects, so for as her existence as a State and her rights as a State are concerned, she has undergone no change. The President of the United States wisely determined that her existence as a State should, not be extinguished, but that, under that clause of the Federal Constitution which "guarantees to every State in the Union a republican form of government," her people, in convention assembled, might so alter and amend their constitution and adopt such measures as would restore the State to her constitutional relations to the Federal Government, and thus secure once more to the people thereof the immeasurable benefits and blessings of the Union. Allow me to congratulate you, gentlemen, upon the favorable circumstances which surround you, while engaged in this great work of restoring the State to her former and natural position.

It was resolved by the Convention that a committee of five be appointed to revise the Constitution of the State; that a committee of eleven be appointed to report what action was necessary in regard to the secession ordinance of 20th May, 1861; that a committee of eleven be appointed to report an ordinance for the abolition of slavery; that a committee of two from each Congressional district, as they existed, be appointed to divide the State into seven Congressional districts; that a committee of eleven be appointed to report what acts of the Convention, Legislature, and the courts, since May 20, 1861, shall be declared to be in force; that a committee of eleven be appointed to report what steps were necessary to obtain a general amnesty for participation in the late war.

The committees were accordingly appointed, and on the 4th the Committee on Secession reported an ordinance which, after some debate, was adopted in the following form:

Be it ordained by the delegates of the people of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, and it hereby declared and ordained, That the ordinance of the Convention of the State of North Carolina, ratified on the 21st day of November, 1789, which adopted and ratified the Constitution of the United States.

Page 627 and also all acts and parts of acts of the General Assembly ratifying and adopting amendments to the said Constitution, are now, and at all times since the adoption and ratification thereof hare been, in full force and effect, notwithstanding the supposed ordinance of the 20th of May, 1861, declaring the same to be repealed, rescinded, and abrogated; and the said supposed ordinance is now, and at all times hath been, null and void.

The vote of the Convention was unanimous on this ordinance.

On the 5th the Committee on the Abolition of Slavery reported the following ordinance:

Be it declared and ordained by the delegates of the people of the State of North Carolina, in Contention assembled, and it is hereby ordained, That slavery and involuntary servitude otherwise than for crimes whereof the parties shall have been duly convicted, shall be, and is hereby, forever prohibited within the State.

It was passed on the subsequent day by a unanimous vote of the Convention.

An election for members of Congress, Governor, and State Legislature, was ordered to be held on the second Thursday in November. The ordinance provided that no one should be eligible to office or qualified to vote who, being free in all respects, had not, before May 27th, taken and subscribed the oath of amnesty prescribed in the proclamation of President Lincoln with the purpose to suppress the insurrection, and restore the authority of the United States, and thenceforward had observed the same, or who had taken the oath prescribed in President Johnson's proclamation of May 29, 1865, or who was excepted from the amnesty.

An ordinance was also adopted dividing the State into seven Congressional districts, with a population as follows: 1st district, 118,000; 2d, 125,000; 3d, 119,000; 4th, 128,000; 5th 127,000; 6th, 124,000; 7tb, 126,000.

An ordinance was presented in the Convention, which provided for repealing or reducing the State debt to its gold value, and paying that which existed before the war, and that which had been contracted during the war. The question created much discussion, but the action of the Convention was finally determined by the following despatch from President Johnson:

WASHINGTON  CITY, October 18,1865.

W. W. Holden, Provisional Governor:

Every dollar of the State debt created to aid the rebellion against the United States should be repudiated, finally and forever. The great mass of the people should not be taxed to pay a debt to aid in carrying on a rebellion which they, in fact, if left to themselves, were opposed to. To those who have given their means for the obligations of the State look to that power they tried to establish in violation of law, constitution, and will of the people. They must meet their fate. It is their misfortune, and cannot be recognized by the people of any State professing themselves loyal to the Government of the United States and in the Union.

I repeat, that the loyal people of North Carolina should be exonerated from the payment of every dollar of indebtedness created to aid in carrying on the rebellion. I trust and hope that the people of North Carolina will wash their hands of every thing that partakes in the slightest degree of the rebellion, which has been so recently crushed by the strong arm of the Government, in carrying out the obligations imposed by the Constitution or the Union.

                                              ANDREW JOHNSON,

                                         President of the United States.

The payment of the debt contracted during the war was not only repudiated, but an ordinance was adopted prohibiting any future Legislature from assuming or paying any debt contracted directly or indirectly for the prosecution of the war against the United States.

It was also provided by the Convention that the ordinance declaring null and void the ordinance of secession passed May 20, 1861, and the ordinance prohibiting slavery in the State, should be submitted to the people for ratification or rejection, at the time when the election for State officers was held.

The subject of legislation relative to the freedmen, and the measures necessary to conform the laws of the State to the abolition of slavery, were referred to the Legislature, and a commission created to report a code to that body. The same reference was given to an address of a colored convention asking that equal rights should be granted to them.

An ordinance was also passed directing the sheriffs and boards of magistrates to enroll and organize as many military companies in their respective districts as might be necessary to preserve law and order therein, and to act as an armed police until the regular organization of the State militia. The following extract from the debate on this ordinance explains the social position of the people at this time:

Mr. Ferebee, in advocating the bill, said that in his county the white citizens had all been deprived of arms, while the negroes were almost all of them armed by Borne means or another. It was a fact that nearly every negro was supplied with arms, and there was a very general feeling of insecurity on the part of the whites. There had been rumors of anticipated trouble in some of the counties at the commencement of next year. He did not know how well grounded the fears might be, but there certainly was much apprehension among the white citizens, especially among the female portion, of coming danger.

General Dockery confirmed the statement made by Colonel Ferebee, and stated that in his county the white residents had been disarmed, and were at present almost destitute of means to protect themselves against robbery and outrage. He had consulted with the General in command of this department, and found that he had no objection to the raising of such a police force as was contemplated by the bill. He had stated that no force taking the shape of on army could be allowed to be raised except under his command, as there could be but one head to the military in the State. But he did not object to the establishment of an armed police.

Mr. Barrow thought that the Convention was overlooking the facts of their present situation. They were still under martial law, and he did not see what authority any person would have to raise the contemplated armed force, unless they do it under the authority and with the cooperation of the officer in command of the district. In his own county no danger was apprehended, and a police was in existence, under the charge of a Federal officer. He was unwilling to approve of any act that would seem to come in conflict with the Federal authorities.

General Dockery directed the recollection of the Convention to the action of Governor Sharkey in Mississippi Page 628 in reestablishing the militia of that State, and to the fact that the President of the United States had approved and confirmed such action. He believed he would pursue the same course in relation to North Carolina should it become necessary to do so.

Judge Howard explained that the bill only provided for the raising of the contemplated police in counties where it was deemed necessary for the preservation of law and order, and that in case of any serious outbreak, it gave the command of the force to the United States officer. If General Ruger abides by the opinions expressed by him to the committee, there was nothing in the ordinance which could come in conflict with his opinions or wishes.

Colonel Ferebee read an extract from President Johnson's proclamation in relation to the Mississippi militia, wherein he says the people must be trusted with their own government, and if so trusted, he believed they would prove deserving of the confidence reposed in them.

A number of other ordinances of less general importance were adopted, when the Convention adjourned, to assemble again on the fourth Thursday in May, 1866.

After adjournment, the President and other members proceeded to Washington, on behalf of the Convention, to present their more important measures to President Johnson. On November 10th they appeared before the President, when Mr. Reade stated, among other things, that the first act of the Convention was to declare her uninterrupted, connection with the Union, and that the ordinance of May, 1861, by which she was attempted to be severed, was null and void. This was done by a vote very nearly approaching unanimity, and thus the first issue in the late war was yielded. The next thing done was to prohibit slavery, and this was by a unanimous vote; and a committee of able lawyers was provided to prepare wholesome laws for the consideration of the Legislature; and thus the second issue in the late war was yielded. The Convention having yielded what was involved in the war, and being of the opinion that the State was, and always had been, in the Union, and that her relations had only been disturbed and not destroyed, respectfully asks the President to declare, on the part of the authorities of the United States, as the State has done on her part, that her governmental relations have been reconciled. The Convention instructed the Legislature to provide for the payment of the debts of the State; declared all debts contracted in aid of the rebellion to be illegal, and prohibited the payment of the same. Mr. Reade continued:

We have heard that, notwithstanding the State might yield, and us she understands it has yielded, all that was involved in the war, and notwithstanding our people were submissive, well disposed, and anxious for fraternal relations, her delegation in Congress would not be admitted unless they had qualifications not prescribed by the Constitution; that they would be required to take an oath which few men in the State can take, affirming not merely that they are right now, but that they leave never been wrong. The exclusion of her delegation upon any such test as is suggested would be felt by our people universally, as such a deep wrong that it would put their strong devotion to the Government, and their lively hope of perfect reconciliation, to the severest trial. They can understand the bitterness of strife and the aversion to treason; but they will be confounded at the repulsion of offered friendship and avowed loyalty. The Convention, therefore, respectfully asks Congress to repeal the test oath. I have thought it respectful, both to you and to Congress, that this request should pass through your hands, with the hope that your Excellency s magnanimity would add to it some reflection which would avail that body.

After further remarks by Mr. Reade, in which he spoke of the confidence reposed in the President by North Carolina, the latter responded as follows:

Hon. Mr. Reade:—I receive from you, with pleasure, a copy of the proceedings of the Convention of North Carolina. I reciprocate cordially the conciliatory spirit in which you have addressed me. The Convention of North Carolina has done much and well toward restoring that State to her proper national relations: but something yet remains to be done to render that restoration immediately practicable". An acceptation of her Congressional amendment abolishing slavery throughout the United States, by the Legislature of the State of North Carolina, is, in my judgment, practically important to the successful restoration which is so much desired by all. Without answering specifically that questions you have proposed to me, it will be sufficient to say that my action must depend upon events, and that Mr. Holden will be again instructed to continue the exercise of his functions as Provisional Governor until he shall have been expressly relieved by orders to that effect.

The ordinances referred to the people were ratified on the day of election, and Jonathan Worth was chosen Governor, by a majority of 6,730, over W. W. Holden, the Provisional Governor. The total vote at the election was 58,554. In 1860 the total vote for President was 06,230.

On November 27th the President sent the following despatch to the Provisional Governor:

WASHINGTON, D. C, November 27, 1865.

To the Hon. W. W. Holden, Provisional Governor of North Carolina;

Accept my thanks for the noble and efficient manner in which you have discharged your duty as Provisional Governor. You will be sustained by that Government. The results of the recent elections in North Carolina have greatly damaged the prospects of the State in the restoration of its government. Should action and the spirit of the Legislature be in the same direction, it will greatly increase the mischief already done, and might prove fatal. It is hoped the action and spirit manifested by the Legislature will be so directed as to repair their increase of difficulties, under which the State has already placed itself.

                                                    ANDREW JOHNSON,

                                               President of the United States.

Meanwhile the Legislature which had been elected held a brief session, during which it ratified, with but six dissenting votes, the amendment to the Federal Constitution abolishing slavery, elected three judges of the Supreme Court, and John Pool and William A. Graham United States Senators, and adopted other measures suggested by the Provisional Governor. On December 15th the newly elected Governor was duly inaugurated. In his address he refrained from subjects upon which the Provisional Governor only was authorized to act, and said Page 629

I regard it, however, as a fit occasion for me to declare that the people of North Carolina, impoverished by the late desolating war, and discouraged by the uncertainties of the future, ardently desire a restoration of the Union and of civil government. The animosities which produced and grew out of the war on our part are rapidly passing away. All good and wise men feel that the common good of our whole country required the suppression of the sectional criminations and recriminations from which have sprung our national calamities. I am Bure that the great body of our people desire that national amity shall be restored. Such, I am assured and believe, is the general feeling among those we lately called our foes. Such is peculiarly the case among the brave men who perilled their lives in the respective armies lately engaged in mortal combat. The brave are always generous.

Admonished by the recent past, surely the virtue of this great nation will not again surrender itself to the guidance of turbulent sectional leaders.

I am sure all our people, if now admitted into full communion with the United States, upon the terms prescribed by the President (with all which terms we have fully complied), would perform all their constitutional obligations with as much fidelity as any people in the Union. Unfounded distrust will not beget kindness and confidence. We ought to be judged ay our acts. To them I appeal for the verification of my assertion.

We honor the generous magnanimity and elevated statesmanship exhibited in the President's plan of reconstruction. It looks to the permanent good of the whole nation, and, in view of the appalling difficulties with which he was surrounded, is probably the wisest practicable plan which could be devised. We have promptly and almost unanimously complied with all its provisions by declaring our ordinance of secession null and void, by amending our Constitution abolishing slavery, repudiating our war debt, ratifying the amendment to the Constitution of the United States forever prohibiting slavery in the States, and by solemnly taking an oath renewing our allegiance to the United States. If all these acts are held insufficient to entitle us to confidence, we can scarcely hope to do any thing which will be held satisfactory. I will vouch for North Carolina if not driven to despair by ungenerous distrust. She will grasp the hand of reconciliation, if offered, with generous, magnanimous confidence.

On December 23d Secretary Seward, by direction of President Johnson, addressed a letter to Provisional Governor Holden, of North Carolina, relieving him from his trust, and expressing the President's acknowledgment of the fidelity, the loyalty, and discretion which had marked his administration of affairs in that State. A copy of the letter was sent to the Governor elect of North Carolina, with the tender of the cooperation of the Government of the United States whenever it may be found necessary in effecting the early restoration and permanent prosperity and welfare of the State over which he has been culled upon to preside. These official communications are similar, with the exception of names, to those addressed to the Governors elect and Provisional Governors of other Southern States with similar purpose. On the same day, Provisional Governor Holden replied as follows:

                                     Raleigh, N. C, December 23, 1865.

To the Hon. W. E. Seward, Secretary of State.

Sir: Your despatch of this date, relieving me of my duty as Provisional Governor of North Carolina, has been received. It gives me pleasure to be relieved of the responsibilities and labors of the office. I will at once transfer the great seal, papers, and property of the State, now in my possession, to the Hon. Jonathan Worth, the Governor elect. Be pleased to convey to the President my sincere acknowledgments for the honor he has done me and the confidence reposed in me in calling me to this position, with the expression of the hope that his plan for reconstructing the insurgent States to their natural and appropriate place in the Union may be crowned with entire success.

With the highest regard, your obedient servant,

                                           W. W. HOLDEN.

On December 30th Governor Worth issued an address to the people of the State, congratulating them on the restoration of the State Government, and stated that an extra session of the Legislature would be soon convened, and measures adopted which were necessary to the complete reorganization of the State. By a statement of the Treasurer, the debt of the State contracted before the war, and not repudiated by the Convention, was $9,749,600, to which must be added the interest due and unpaid, in round numbers $3,000,000, making in all $12,749,500. The State owns stocks in railroad companies and bonds of railroads and other corporations, most of which were productive before the war, equal to $9,673,289. He estimates the losses of the State by the war at $250,000,000, of which $200,000,000 was for slaves. The present value of real and personal property he estimates at $250,000,000. In consideration of the want of a circulating medium, caused by the sudden destruction of the Confederate and State Treasury notes, he recommended that the bonds and coupons now due and to become due in the present year be funded, and that no appropriation be made to pay interest at present. The resumption of the payment of interest at an early day was anticipated.

The freedmen of the State came under the charge of the Freedmen's Bureau, and during a part of the year considerable numbers were sustained by the Government. But the demand for labor secured employment to the great mass. At Newborn a colored Equal Rights League was formed, which issued an address at the close of the year, describing their objects as follows:

The object of the League is to secure by political and moral means, as far as may be, the repeal of all laws and parts of laws, State and national, that make discriminations on account of color. This is our object in all its length and breadth. We therefore aspire to the condition and privileges of freemen. Is not this a natural aspiration? Is it not dictated by self-respect? We ask an opportunity to show that we are worthy to be free, and propose to attain the condition and privileges of freemen by becoming intelligent, by industry, by virtue, by piety. If the object is noble and one worthy of freemen, the means proposed for attaining it are moral and peaceful. We disclaim the remotest intention of enforcing the claim by violence. Does any one suggest insurrection, we frown upon him, denounce him. The address closes: We do pledge ourselves to maintain good order. Our arms and our lives, if necessary, are at the service of the Government to quell and crush insurrection. Having done this, we shall demand of the lawful authority protection for our property, schools, presses, and churches.


Source: The American Annual Cyclopaedia and Register of Important Events of the Year, 1861-1865, vols. 1-5. New York: Appleton & Co., 1868.