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stitution of the United States is adopted by the Legislature of the State of Florida, with the understanding that it does not confer upon the Congress the power to legislate upon the political status of the freedmen in this State." Pending this action, this telegraphic correspondence took place:

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, September 12, 1865. SIR: Your excellency's letter of the 29th ultimo, with the accompanying proclamation, has

been received and submitted to the President.

The steps to which it refers, towards reorganizing the government of Florida, seem to be in the main judicious, and good results from them may be hoped for. The presumption to which the proclamation refers, however, in favor of insurgents who may wish to vote, and who may have applied for, but not received, their pardons, is not entirely approved. All applications for pardons will be duly considered, and will be disposed of as soon as may be practicable. It must, however, be distinctly understood that the restoration to which your proclamation refers will be subject to the decision of Congress.

I have the honor to be, your excellency's obedi

ent servant,
His Excellency WILLIAM MARVIN.

WILLIAM 11. SEWARD.

*

*

OFFICE OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNOR,
TALLAHASSEE, FLA., October 7, 1865.

* I have said that the Convention

will, in good faith, abolish slavery; but I think it probable that the Legislature, which will be elected and convened at an early period, will feel some reluctance against ratifying the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The principal argument urged against the ratification is, that the Legislature will thereby assist to impose abolition on Kentucky and Delaware, which have not yet abolished slavery. If the President should think it desirable that the Legislature should ratify the proposed amendment, either with a view to promote a more complete reconciliation between the North and the South, or for any other reason, he possibly may not deem it amiss to communicate to me his wishes on the subject. His wishes on the subject would be very potent in the State.

The military authorities in the State, under the command of Major General Foster, are rendering me every possible assistance in sending out notices and proclamations of the election, in the absence of mail facilities, and no disagree

ments exist between us.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. MARVIN, Provisional Governor. Hon. W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

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April 12-This address was published in the Richmond Whig:

ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.

of the State of Virginia, in connection with a The undersigned, members of the Legislature number of the citizens of the State, whose evacuation of the city of Richmond by the Connames are attached to this paper, in view of the federate government and its occupation by the military authorities of the United States, the and the suspension of the jurisdiction of the surrender of the army of northern Virginia, civil power of the State, are of the opinion that of the State is called for by the exigencies of the an immediate meeting of the General Assembly situation. The consent of the military authorities of the United States to a session of the Legislature in Richmond, in connection with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, to their free deliberation upon public affairs, and to the ingress and departure of all its members under safe conduct, has been obtained.

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The United States authorities will afford transportation from any point under their control to any of the persons before mentioned.

The matters to be submitted to the Legislature are the restoration of peace to the State of Virginia, and the adjustment of the questions, inarisen in the State as a consequence of war. volving life, liberty and property, that have

We, therefore, earnestly request the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and members of the Legislature, to repair to this city by the 25th of April, instant.

We understand that full protection to persons and property will be afforded in the State, and we recommend to peaceful citizens to remain at their homes and pursue their usual avocations with confidence that they will not be interrupted.

We earnestly solicit the attendance in Richmond, on or before the 25th of April, instant, of the following persons, citizens of Virginia, to confer with us as to the best means of restor

WASHINGTON, November 1, 1865. ing peace to the State of Virginia. We have His Excellency WILLIAM MARVIN,

Provisional Governor: Your letter of October 7 was received and submitted to the President. He is gratified with the favorable progress towards reorganization in Florida, and directs me to say that he regards the ratification by the Legislature of the congressional amendment of the Constitution of

secured safe conduct from the military authori ties of the United States for them to enter the city and depart without molestation:

Hons. R. M. T. Hunter, A. T. Caperton, Wm. C. Rives, John Letcher, A. H. H. Stuart, R. L. Montague, Fayette McMullen, J. P. Holcombe, Alex. Rives, B. Johnson Barbour, Jas. Barbour, Wm. L. Goggin. J. B. Baldwin, Thos. S. Ghol

A. J. Marshall, Senator from Fauquier.
John Wesson, Senator from Marion.
James Venable, Senator elect from Petersburg.
David J. Burr, of the House of Delegates,
from Richmond.

David J. Saunders, of the House of Delegates,
Richmond city.

son, Waller Staples, S. D. Miller, Thos. J. Ran- | Virginia together, as the rightful Legislature o dolph, Wm. T. Early, R. A. Claybrook, John the State, to settle all differences with the United Critcher Williams, T. H. Eppes, and those other States. I have done no such thing. I spoke of persons for whom passports have been procured, them not as a legislature, but as the gentleand especially others whom we consider it un- men who have acted as the Legislature of Virnecessary to mention. Signed- ginia in support of the rebellion." I did this on purpose to exclude the assumption that I was recognizing them as a rightful body. I dealt with them as men having power de facto to do a specific thing, to wit, to withdraw the Virginia troops and other support from resistance to the General Government," for which, in the paper handed to Judge Campbell, I promised a specific equivalent, to wit, a remission to the people of the State, except in certain cases, the confiscation of their property. I meant this and no more. Inasmuch, however, as Judge Campbell misconstrues this, and is still pressing for an armistice, contrary to the explicit statement of the paper I gave him; and particularly as Gen. Grant has since captured the Virginia troops, so that giving a consideration for their withdrawal is no longer applicable, let my letter to you and the paper to Judge Campbell both be withdrawn or countermanded, and he be notified of it. Do not now allow them to assemble; but if any have come, allow them safe return to their homes. A. LINCOLN.

L. S. Hall, of the House of Delegates, Wetzel county.

J. J. English, of the House of Delegates, Henrico county.

Wm. Ambers, of the House of Delegates,
Chesterfield county.

A. M. Keetz, House Delegates, Petersburg.
H. W. Thomas, Second Auditor, Richmond.
Lieutenant L. L. Moncure, Chief Clerk, Second
Auditor's office.

Joseph Mayo, Mayor, city of Richmond.
Robert S. Howard, Clerk Hustings Court,
Richmond city.

Thomas W. Dudley, Sergeant, Richmond city. Littleton Tazewell, Commonwealth's Attorney, Richmond city.

Wm. T. Jaynes, Judge of the Circuit Court, Petersburg.

John A. Meredith, Judge of the Circuit Court,

Richmond.

Wm. H. Lyons, Judge of the Hustings Court, Richmond.

Wm. C. Wickham, Member of Congress, Rich

mond.

Benjamin S. Ewell, President of William and
Mary College.

Nat. Tyler, editor Richmond Enquirer.
R. F. Walker, publisher, Examiner.
J. R. Anderson, Richmond.

R. R. Howison, Richmond.

W. Goddin, Richmond.
P. G. Bagley, Richmond.
F. J. Smith, Richmond.
Franklin Sterns, Henrico.
John Lyon, Petersburg.
Thomas B. Fisher, Fauquier.

Wm. M. Harrison, Charles City.

Cyrus Hall, Ritchie.

Thos. W. Garnett, King and Queen.

James A. Scott, Richmond.

I concur in the preceding recommendation.
J. A. CAMPBELL.

Approved for publication in the Whig and in
handbill form.
G. WEITZEL,

tive order recognizing the Pierpoint Adminis-
May 9-President Johnson issued an execu-
Johnson's Orders, p. 8.)
tration as that of Virginia. (See President

June 19-Legislature met.

which

June 20-Bill passed prescribing means by the third article of the constitution may be repersons who have been disfranchised by stored to the rights of voters. [It provides, substantially, that persons, otherwise qualified as voters, who take the amnesty oath and an oath to uphold the executive government of Virginia, shall be qualified as voters.]

June 21-Bill passed submitting to a vote of the people whether the legislature to be chosen at the next election should have power to alter or amend the third article of the constitution, which is in these words:

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No person shall vote or hold office under this constitution who has held office under the so-called Confederate government, or under any rebellious State government, or who has been a member of the so-called Confederate Congress, or a member of any State Legislature in rebellion against the authority of the United States, excepting therefrom the county officers." June 23--Legislature adjourned. October 12-Election held for Representatives Legislature to alter the third article almost The vote on empowering the unanimously affirmative.

in Congress. Major General Commanding.

RICHMOND, VA., April 11, 1865.

April 12-Said authority revoked in this telegram from President Lincoln to Major General Weitzel, being the last telegram ever transmitted by the former:

OFFICE U. S. MILITARY TELEGRAPH, WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., April 12, 1865. Major General WEITZEL, Richmond, Va.:

I have just seen Judge Campbell's letter to you of the 7th. He assumes, as appears to me, that I have called the insurgent Legislature of

December 4-Legislature assembled. A bill passed, providing that all qualified voters heretofore identified with "the rebellion," and not excluded from the amnesty proclamation by President Johnson (with the exception of those embraced in the "$20,000 clause,") can appear before a notary public, or other persons authorized to administer oaths, under the restored Government, and recover the right of suf frage, by taking the amnesty oath of the 29th of May, 1865, an oath to support the restored Gov.

ernment of Virginia, and to protect and defend | have left judicial stations under the United the Constitution of the United States. He also States or the State of Tennessee to aid, in any becomes eligible to office, unless he has "held way, the existing or recent rebellion against the office under the so-called Confederate govern- authority of the United States, or who are or ment, or under any rebellious State government, shall have been military or naval officers of the or has been a member of the so-called Confede- so-called Confederate States, above the rank of rate Congress, or a member of any State Legis- captain in the army or lieutenant in the navy; lature in rebellion against the authority of the or who have left seats in the United States ConUnited States," excepting therefrom county gress or seats in the Legislature of the State of officers. Tennessee, to aid in said rebellion, or have resigned commissions in the army or navy of the United States, and afterward have voluntarily given aid to said rebellion; or persons who have fully, as prisoners of war, persons found in the been engaged in treating otherwise than law

TENNESSEE.

1865, March 4-William G. Brownlow elected Governor, under the organization effected by Andrew Johnson, Military Governor. Brownlow received 23,352 votes, scattering 37. June 5-Franchise act passed, with these pro

visions:

SEC. 1. Be it enacted, &c., That the following

persons, to wit:

known to have entertained unconditional Union

United States service as officers, soldiers, seamen, been or are absentees from the United States for or in any other capacities; or persons who have

the

who held pretended offices under the governpurpose of aiding the rebellion; or persons ment of States in insurrection against the United States; or persons who left their homes within the jurisdiction and protection of the United tional forces and passed beyond the Federal milStates, or fled before the approach of the na

1. Every white man twenty-one years of age, a citizen of the United States and a citizen of the county wherein he may offer his vote six months next preceding the day of election, and publicly sentiments from the outbreak of the rebellionitary lines into the so-called Confederate States, until the present time; and for the purpose of aiding the rebellion, shall be denied and refused the privilege of the elective franchise in this State for the term of fifteen years from and after the passage of this act.

2. Every white man, a citizen of the United States and a citizen of the county wherein he may offer his vote six months next preceding the day of election, having arrived at the age of twenty-one years since March 4, 1865: Provided, That he has not been engaged in armed rebellion against the authority of the United States voluntarily; and

3. Every white man of lawful age coming from another State, and being a citizen of the United States, on proof of loyalty to the United States, and being a citizen of the county wherein he may offer his vote six months next preceding the day of election; and

4. Every white man, a citizen of the United States and a citizen of this State, who has served as a soldier in the army of the United States, and has been or may be hereafter honorably discharged therefrom; and

5. Every white man of lawful age, a citizen of the United States and a citizen of the county wherein he may offer his vote six months next preceding the day of election, who was conscripted by force into the so-called confederate army, and was known to be a Union man, on proof of loyalty to the United States, established by the testimony of two voters under the previous clauses of this section; and

6. Every white man who voted in this State at the presidential election in November, 1864, or voted on the 22d of February, 1865, or voted on the 4th of March, 1865, in this State, and all others who had taken the "oath of allegiance" to the United States, and may be known by the judges of election to have been true friends to the Government of the United States, and would have voted in said previously mentioned elections if the same had been holden within their reach, shall be entitled to the privileges of the elective franchise.

SEC. 2. That all persons who are or shall have been civil or diplomatic officers or agents of the so-called Confederate States of America, or who

SEC. 3. That all other persons, except those mentioned in section one of this act, are hereby and henceforth excluded and denied the exercise of the privilege of the elective franchise in this State for the term of five years from and after of this act. passage

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July 15-President Johnson sent this telegram:
WASHINGTON, D. C.-3.50 P. M.,
July 16, 1865.

To Governor W. G. Brownlow:

I hope, as I have no doubt you will see, that the laws passed by the last Legislature are faithfully executed, and that all illegal voters in the approaching election be kept from the polls, and that the election of members of Congress be conducted fairly. Whenever it becomes necessary for the execution of the law and the protection of the ballot-box, you will call upon General Thomas for sufficient military force to sustain the civil authority of the State. I have just read your address, which I most heartily endorse. ANDREW JOHNSON, President U. S. A. 1866, April 12-An amendment to the franchise act passed the House, 41 to 15. May 3-The Senate passed it, 13 to 6. Its principal provisions are:

SEC. 1. That every white male inhabitant of this State of the age of twenty-one years, a citizen of the United States and a resident of the county wherein he may offer his vote six months next preceding the day of election, shall be enti

tled to the privilege of the elective franchise, | insurrection against the United States with intent subject to the following exceptions and disqualifications, to wit:

First. Said voter shall have never borne arms against the Government of the United States for the purpose of aiding the late rebellion, nor have voluntarily given aid, comfort, countenance, counsel, or encouragement to any rebellion against the authority of the United States Government, nor aided, countenanced, or encouraged acts of hostility thereto.

Second. That said voter shall have never sought, or voluntarily accepted, any office, civil or military, or attempted to exercise the functions of any office, civil or military, under the authority or pretended authority of the so-called Confederate States of America, or of any insurrectionary State whatever, hostile or opposed to the authority of the United States Government, with the intent and desire to aid said rebellion or insurrectionary authority.

to aid the rebellion, or who ever held office in the State of Tennessee of legislative, judicial, or executive character, under an oath to support the constitution of the State of Tennessee, and who violated said oath, and gave voluntary aid or countenance to the rebellion, that each and all be excluded from all offices, State, county, or municipal.

It also provides that any qualified voter shall not be excluded from office by the provisions of this bill, as amended.

May -The Senate rejected a suffrage bill, 16 to 5, which proposed to allow all blacks and whites of legal age to vote, and exclude all, after 1875, who cannot read.

May 28-The Legislature adjourned until November 28.

TEXAS.

1865, June 17-Andrew J. Hamilton appointed Provisional Governor.

1866, March -Convention met. April 2-Convention adjourned. The Constitution to be voted on, June 5. It abolishes slavery, and annuls the Secession Ordinance. The war debt has been repudiated. Five years residence required for eligibility to the Legislature. White population is the basis of representation for State purposes. An ordinance passed exempting all persons who, under authority of civil or military power, had inflicted injury upon persons during the war, from ac

Third. That said voter shall have never voluntarily supported any pretended government, power, or authority hostile or inimical to the authority of the United States, by contributions in money or property, by persuasion or influence, or in any other way whatever: Provided, That the foregoing restrictions and disqualifications shall not apply to any white citizen who may have served in and been honorably discharged from the army or navy of the United States since the 1st day of January, 1862, nor to those who voted in the Presidential election in November, 1864, or voted in the election for "rati-countability therefor. fication or rejection " in February, 1865, or voted in the election held on the 4th day of March of the same year for Governor and members of the

ARKANSAS.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D. C.,
October 30, 1865.

1865, October 30-President Johnson sent Legislature, nor to those who have been appointed this telegram to Governor Isaac Murphy, to any civil or military office by Andrew John- elected Governor under the free State organison, Military Governor, or William G. Brown-zation formerly made. low, Governor of Tennessee, all of whom are hereby declared to be qualified voters upon their complying with the requirements of this act: Provided, That this latter clause shall not apply to any commission issued upon any election which may have been held.

SEC. 2. That the Governor of the State shall, within sixty days after the passage of this act, appoint a commissioner of registration for each and every county in the State, who shall, without delay, enter upon the discharge of his duties, and who shall have full power to administer the necessary oaths provided by this act.

To Gov. MURPHY, Little Rock, Arkansas:
There will be no interference with your pres-
ent organization of State government. I have
learned from E. W. Gantt, Esq., and other
sources, that all is working well, and you will
proceed and resume the former relations with
the Federal Government, and all the aid in the
power of the Government will be given in re-
storing the State to its former relations.

ANDREW JOHNSON, Pres't of the U. S.

LOUISIANA.

There was no interference with the State organization formerly made.

1865, November J. M. Wells was elected Governor, and Albert Voorhis, Lieut. Governor. November 23-Legislature met in extra session again, under proclamation of the Governor. December 22-Legislature adjourned.

May 19-A bill was passed to disqualify certain persons from holding office, civil or military. It excludes those persons who held civil or diplomatic offices, or were agents of the so called Confederate States, or who left judicial stations under the United States, or the State of Tennessee, to aid the rebellion, or who were military or naval officers of the so-called Confederate States, above the rank of captain in the army, 1866, March -J. T. Monroe elected mayor of or lieutenant in the navy, or who left seats in New Orleans, and James O. Nixon an alderman. the United States Congress, or seats in the Legis- March 19-General Canby issued an order lature of the State of Tennessee, to aid the rebel-suspending them from the exercise of any of the lion, or who resigned commissions in the army or navy of the United States and afterward gave voluntary aid to the rebellion, or who absented themselves from the State of Tennessee to give such aid, or who held offices under the States in

functions of these offices until the pleasure of the President be made known-as they come within the excepted class of the President's proclamation. They were subsequently pardoned, on application, and took the offices.

IV.

LEGISLATION RESPECTING FREEDMEN.

NORTH CAROLINA.

1866, March 10-The act" concerning negroes, and persons of color, or of mixed blood," passed by the Legislature, declares that "negroes and their issue, even where one ancestor in each succeeding generation to the fourth inclusive, is white, shall be deemed persons of color." It gives them all the privileges of white persons before the courts in the mode of prosecuting, defending, continuing, removing, and transferring their suits at law and in equity, and makes them eligible as witnesses, when not otherwise incompetent, in "all controversies at law and in equity where the rights of persons or property of persons of color shall be put in issue, and would be concluded by the judgment or decree of court; and also in pleas of the State, where the violence, fraud, or injury alleged shall be charged to have been done by or to persons of color. In all other civil and criminal cases such evidence shall be deemed inadmissible, unless by consent of the parties of record: Provided, That this section shall not go into effect until jurisdiction in matters relating to freedmen shall be fully committed to the courts of this State: Provided further, That no person shall be deemed incompetent to bear testimony in such cases, because of being a party to the record or in interest."

The criminal laws of the State are extended in their operation to embrace persons of color, and the same punishment is inflicted on them as on the whites, except for rape, which, if a white female is the victim, is a capital crime for a black. The law regarding apprentices is so amended as to make its provisions applicable to blacks, but it gives the former masters the preference, and declares that they should be regarded as the most suitable persons. Provision is also made for legalizing the marriages of the blacks contracted during slavery, and for punishment of illicit cohabitation. All which is modified by a proviso that the act shall not take effect until after the Freedmen's Bureau is removed. Where men and women, lately slaves, now cohabit to gether in the relation of husband and wife, they shall be deemed to have been lawfully married at the time of the commencement of such cohabitation; and they are required to go before the clerk of the county court, acknowledge the cohabitation, of which record shall be made, and shall be prima facie evidence of the statements made.

All contracts between any persons whatever, whereof one or more of them shall be a person of color, for the sale or purchase of any horse, mule, ass, jennet, neat cattle, hog, sheep, or goat, whatever may be the value of such articles, and all contracts between such persons for any other article or articles of property whatever of

the value of ten dollars or more, and all contracts executed or executory between such persons for the payment of money of the value of ten dollars or more, shall be void as to all persons whatever, unless the same be put in writing and signed by the vendors or debtors, and witnessed by a white person who can read and write.

Marriage between white persons and persons of color shall be void; and every person authorized to solemnize the rites of matrimony, who shall knowingly solemnize the same between such persons, and every clerk of a court who shall knowingly issue license for their marriage, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, moreover, shall pay a penalty of five hundred dollars to any person suing for the same.

MISSISSIPPI.

An Act to regulate the Relation of Master and Apprentice relative to Freedmen, Free Negroes, and Mulattoes, November 22, 1865.

SEC. 1 provides that it shall be the duty of all sheriffs, justices of the peace, and other civil officers of the several counties in this State to report to the probate courts of their respective counties semi-annually, at the January and July terms of said courts, all freedmen, free negroes, and mulattoes, under the age of eighteen, within their respective counties, beats, or districts, who are orphans, or whose parent or parents have not the means, or who refuse to provide for and support said minors, and thereupon it shall be the duty of said probate court to order the clerk of said court to apprentice said minors to some competent and suitable person, on such terms as the court may direct, having a particular care to the interest of said minors: Provided, That the former owner of said minors shall have the preference when, in the opinion of the court, he or she shall be a suitable person for that purpose.

SEC. 2 provides that the said court shall be fully satisfied that the person or persons to whom said minor shall be apprenticed shall be a suitable person to have the charge and care of said minor, and fully to protect the interest of said minor: Provided, That said apprentice shall be bound by indenture, in case of males until they are twenty-one years old, and in case of females until they are eighteen years old.

SEC. 3 provides that in the management and control of said apprentices said master or mistress shall have power to inflict such moderate corporeal chastisement as a father or guardian is allowed to inflict on his or her child or ward at common law: Provided, That in no case shall cruel or inhuman punishment be inflicted.

SEC. 4 provides that if any apprentice shall leave the employment of his or her master or

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