Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

out for hire or rent. No license for the sale of intoxicating liquors in quantities less than one gallon, or to be drank on the premises, shall be granted to any person other than an inn-keeper. June 19-General Sickles asked to be relieved from command of the district, and asked a court that he might vindicate himself from the accusation of the Attorney General.

August 1-The session of the Legislature of North Carolina, elected in 1866, indefinitely postponed.

August 10-Order of May 30 suspended in its application to the superior and county courts of North Carolina, on account of the inability of the latter to revise the jury lists.

November 27-Prosecutions instituted in some of the courts of North Carolina for acts of war committed during the existence of hostilities, in violation of the true intent of the amnesty act of that State of Dec. 22, 1866, were prohibited. Also, ordered, that all parol "contracts, between any persons whatever, whereof one or more of them shall be a person of color," shall be of the same validity, be established by the same evidence, be determined by the same rules, and be enforced in the same manner as in like contracts where all the parties thereto are whites.

December 3-A system of taxation established, for the support of the provisional gov. ernment of South Carolina for the year from October 1, 1867, to September 30, 1868. Appropriations ordered for the various offices and ex

December 28-The election declared to have resulted in favor of a convention; and the delegates notified to meet in Charleston, January 14, 1868.

August 17-The finding of a court-martial confirmed, fining the captain of a steamer $250 for refusing a person a first-class ticket on ac-penses of the State. count of color. It was added: "So long as the laws imposed civil and political disabilities because of servitude or color, carriers were permitted to enforce the same discrimination among passengers. Such disabilities and usages have ceased, with slavery, to have any legal sanction. Whatever belongs of common right to citizens, necessarily follows the recognition of the blacks as citizens, and belongs to them."

September 5-The act of the Legislature of North Carolina, of March 7, 1867, "for the relief of executors, administrators, &c.," annulled as in violation of the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of the acts of Congress passed prohibiting all acts in aid of the late rebellion. Courts directed to dismiss judgments, orders, and decrees, under said legislation.

September 5-General Canby assumed command.

September 13-General Canby ordered that all citizens assessed for taxes, and who shall have paid taxes for the current year, and who are qualified and have been or may be duly registered as voters, are declared qualified to serve as jurors. Any requirement of a property qualification for jurors is hereby abrogated. The collection of certain illegal and oppressive taxes, imposed in parts of North and South Carolina, was suspended.

December 31-Convention declared carried in North Carolina; and the delegates notified to meet in Raleigh, January 14, 1868.

December 31-Judgments or decrees for money, or causes of action, from May 20, 1861, to April 20, 1865, in North Carolina, and from December 19, 1860, to April 29, 1865, in South Carolina, ordered not to be enforced, &c. All proceedings for the recovery of money for the purchase of slaves, made after January 1, 1863, suspended. Proceedings in any court in either State, recognizing or sanctioning the investment of the funds of minor heirs, or females, or insane persons in the securities of the late rebel government, or the war securities of either State, will be suspended till the validity of such investments shall be determined by United States courts or by additional legislation. Power to grant licenses for the sale of liquors remitted to local authorities.

1868, January 14-Conventions of both States met, and adjourned March 17.

February 6-Ordinance of South Carolina Convention for the collection of taxes, promulgated, and the assessors ordered to collect the taxes therein levied. State Treasurer authorized to pay the expenses of the Convention.

February 12-Same with regard to the North Carolina Convention.

October 16-An election ordered in South Carolina, November 19 and 20, for or against a "convention," and for delegates to constitute the Convention. Violence, or threats of violence, February 27-Where advances are made by or of discharge from employment, or other op General R. K. Scott, assistant commissioner of pressive agencies against the free exercise of the Bureau of Refugees, in behalf of the Governright of suffrage, prohibited. All bar-rooms, ment of the United States, in aid of the desaloons, &c., ordered closed from 6 on the even-pressed agriculture of South Carolina, these ading of November 18 to 6 on the morning of No-vances shall be a lien upon the produce of the vember 21. Military interference, unless ne- plantation. cessary to repel the armed enemies of the United States or to keep the peace at the polls," prohibited.

October 18-A similar order issued for North Carolina, fixing the election November 19 and 20.

October 19-Order issued suspending Hon. A. P. Aldrich from the exercise of all functions as judge of the court of common pleas and general sessions; and Gov. Orr authorized to provide for holding his term of court, by assigning another judge. The election of municipal offigers in Charleston forbidden.

March 13-An election to be held in South Carolina, April 14 and 16, for or against the constitution, and on the same ballot for State officers, and Representatives in Congress, one for each of the four districts and two at large.

March 23-An election ordered for North

Carolina, April 21, 22, 23; regulations prescribed.

April 8-Quarantine of ports of South Carolina established.

May 2-Constitution announced ratified by a majority of the votes actually cast by the quali

fied electors of South Carolina.

May 12-Constitution of North Carolina announced similarly ratified.

June 15-W. W. Holden, Governor elect of North Carolina, called a meeting of the Legislature for July 1.

Third Military District-Georgia, Alabama, and
Florida.

1867, April 4-General Pope issued an order directing post commanders to report acts of local or State authorities or tribunals which discriminate against persons on account of race, color, or political opinion.

April 8-Registration order issued. It provides, among other sections:

"It is desirable that in all cases the registers shall be civilians where it is possible to obtain such as come within the provisions of the act and are otherwise suitable persons; and that military officers shall not be used for the purpose, except in case of actual necessity.

August 2-No civil court will entertain any action against officers or soldiers, or others, for acts performed in accordance with the orders of the military authorities. All such suits now pending to be dismissed.

August 12-Ordered, that all advertisements or other official publications under State or municipal authority shall be made in such newspapers only as have not opposed and do not oppose reconstruction under acts of Congress, nor attempt to obstruct the civil officers appointed by the military authorities.

August 19-Grand and petit jurors, and all other jurors, shall hereafter be taken exclusively from the lists of voters without discrimination, as registered. Sheriffs to require jurors to swear that they have been registered. Jurors already drawn shall take this oath or be replaced by those who can.

August 26-General Pope disclaimed the purpose to interfere with the relation of debtor and creditor under State laws, not considering a stay law to be within his province to adjust.

August 31-An election ordered in Alabama on a convention, and for delegates, October 1, to continue three days.

The registers are specifically instructed to see that all information concerning their political rights is given to all persons entitled to vote under the act of Congress; and they are made responsible that every such legal voter has the opportunity to record his name. September 19-A like election ordered for Interference by violence, or threats of vio-Georgia, October 29, to continue three days. lence, or other oppressive means to prevent the registration of any voter, is positively prohib-6 ited; and any person guilty of such interference shall be arrested and tried by the military authorities."

April 11-Headquarters removed to Atlanta. April 12-General Wager Swayne issued this order at Montgomery, Alabama:

General Orders, No. 3.

[ocr errors]

I. Complaints of hardship in the needless apprenticing of minors, particularly in pursuance of the preference given to the former owner" in the law, have been almost incessant. It is enjoined upon probate judges, upon application, to revise the action taken in such cases, and as a rule to revoke indentures made within

the past two years of minors who were capable of self-support.

II. The attention of magistrates is called to the repeal by the last Legislature of the "vagrant law," approved December 15, 1865, and published with the code. Attempts which are still made to put it into execution will hereafter be the subject of military cognizance.

[ocr errors]

III. The use of "chain-gangs as a mode of legal punishment being found to involve serious abuses, will be henceforth. discontinued, except in connection with the penitentiary.

May 1-The use of the " chain-gang" as a mode of legal punishment in Georgia is ordered discontinued, except in cases connected with prisoners sentenced to the penitentiary.

May 21-The States of Georgia and Alabama divided into registration districts, the boards of registration for each district to consist of two white registers and one colored, each to take the test oath of July 2, 1862. Violence and threats prohibited.

May 29 The duties of mayor, chief of police, &c., defined, in view of the riot at Mobile. June 17-Special instructions given to registering boards in Florida.

October 30-Polls ordered to be kept open till p. m., November 2.

October 5-A like election for Florida, November 14, to continue three days.

October 18-Convention declared carried in Alabama, names of delegates announced, and convention directed to meet in Montgomery, November 5.

October 19-Post and detachment commanders directed to furnish to the proper civil officers such military aid as may be needed to enable them to collect taxes imposed by the laws of the State.

November 5-Alabama Convention met; adjourned December 6.

November 7-General Swayne ordered, for the purpose of securing to agricultural laborers payment for the labor of this year, a lien in their favor upon the crops grown on the farms on which they are respectively employed, said lien to attach from date and be subordinate to prior liens.

November 19-Convention'declared carried in Georgia, names of delegates announced, and Convention directed to meet in Atlanta, December 9.

November 26-Payment of expenses of Alabama Convention by State treasurer authorized. December 9-Georgia Convention met; adjourned March 11, 1868.

December 20-Election on Alabama constitution ordered for February 4, 1868, to continue four days. Lists of voters to be revised for fourteen days prior to election. State officers and Representatives in Congress to be voted for at same time, as provided by the election ordinance.

December 27-All military organizations expressly prohibited; and no parading of armed men permitted, except of United States troops.

December 28-Convention declared carried in Florida; delegates announced, and called to meet at Tallahassee, January 20, 1868.

1868, January 6-General Meade assumed | bad advice given them by others not to make contracts but await relief from the Atlanta Convention.

cominand.

January 10-The ordinance of the Alabama Convention, to stay the collection of debts, was announced as to be deemed to have taken effect from this date, and continue in full force unless the pending constitution should not be accepted; but if it be adopted, the ordinance to be valid till Congress shall act on the constitution.

January 11-State officers admonished not to interfere, under color of State authority, with the exercise of military authority in the States composing this district.

January 12-General Meade sent this tele

[blocks in formation]

February 22-Imprisonment for debt in Georgia prohibited, in accordance with an ordinance of the Convention.

February 28-All civil courts and officers whose duty it is to provide for the relief of paupers, shall extend relief to all persons entitled to relief, as such, without any discrimination as to race or color.

March 14-An election ordered in Georgia, to commence April 20, 1868, to continue four days, on the ratification of the constitution adopted by the Convention; State officers and Representatives in Congress to be voted for at same time.

March 16-An election ordered in Florida, first Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of May, for like purposes.

March 18-In all the jails and other prisons, colored prisoners are to receive the same food, in quality and quantity, as white prisoners, and the sheriffs shall get the same fees for victualling all classes of prisoners.

January 13-This order was issued: "Charles J. Jenkins, Provisional Governor, and Jno. Jones, provisional treasurer, of the State of Georgia, having declined to respect the instructions of and failed to co-operate with the major general commanding the third military district, are here- March 26-Freedmen being threatened with by removed from office." Brevet Brigadier Gen- discharge, "for the purpose of controlling their eral Thomas H. Ruger appointed Governor, and votes, or of restraining them from voting, Brevet Captain Charles F. Rockwell to be trea-reau officers were directed by the superintendsurer of Georgia. ent of registration, E. Hulbert, to report all cases of interference with their political rights.

January 15-Order issued, that the frequency of reported outrages, and the accompanying expression of opinion of subordinate officers, that no justice is to be expected from the civil authorities, require notice and action on the part of the major general commanding, who instructs the military to co-operate with the civil in detecting and capturing criminals, but states that where the civil authorities fail to do their duty, he will take prompt action for the punishment of criminals and the removal from office of derelict civil officers.

January 16-The Georgia ordinance of relief, of December 12, 1867, was announced as having taken effect, till the Convention take further action, or further orders are issued.

January 17-John T. Burns removed as comptroller, and Captain Charles Wheaton appointed his successor, who was also appointed secretary of State, vice N. C. Barnett, removed. January 20-Florida Convention met; adjourned February 25.

January 29-The Florida ordinance of relief, of January 21, 1868, given effect as in the case of Georgia.

February 2-The order of August 12 last modified so as to apply only to such newspapers as attempt to obstruct in any manner the civil officers appointed by the military, in the discharge of their duty, by threats of violence, prosecution, or other penalty to be enforced as Boon as military protection is withdrawn.

February 3-Registered voters may vote anywhere in the State on constitution, on proof of registration.

February 4-8,114 less than half the registered vote of Alabama cast for the constitution. February 11-The assistant commissioner of freedmen's affairs urged freedmen to make contracts for the present year, and to disregard the

[ocr errors]

"bu

April 3-General Meade, on being applied to, expressed the opinion that Judge Irwin was ineligible for the governorship of Georgia. April 4, he gave the opinion that General John B. Gordon was eligible, under the acts of Congress. April 4-General Meade issued an order, of which this is the first paragraph:

"I. The recent assassination at Columbus, Ga., of the Hon. G. W. Ashburn, late a member of the Constitutional Convention of said State, and other acts of violence and atrocity committed about the same time in various parts of this district, and the simultaneous publication ef incendiary articles, and the receipt by many persons of threatening letters, indicating a concert of action, by violence and intimidation, to alarm and overawe a large part of the population, and by this means affect the results of pending elections in this district, all of which acts apparently emanate from a secret organization, for no good purpose, which seems to be rapidly spreading through these States, make it necessary for the commanding general to warn all persons against the commission of such acts, the publication of such articles, the sending of such letters, or connecting themselves with such evil organizations, and to assure all the good people of this district that he will use all the powers he possesses to protect them in the peaceable enjoyment of their homes and property, and in the exercise of their personal rights and political privileges.

[ocr errors]

'Military and civil officers are directed to arrest and bring to trial persons who may print and circulate incendiary papers or threatening letters; and conductors of newspapers and other printing offices are prohibited from publishing articles tending to produce intimidation, riot, or bloodshed; public writers and speakers are enjoined

to refrain from inflammatory appeals, and mili- | other service, but simply to enable them to share tary and municipal officers required to organize equally with the white men in the privilege of patrols to detect such persons as avail themselves choosing who shall hold office in the county, of the secrecy of the night for executing their State, and United States wherein they reside, criminal purposes. Good citizens are called on and that unless they register they may be deto aid in preserving the peace, and are admon-prived of this privilege. ished that if intimidation and violence are not checked, bloody retaliation may be provoked." April 6-General Meade ordered an election in Georgia, April 20, for Governor, General Assembly, county officers, and Representatives in Congress.

Fourth Military District—Mississippi and Ar

kansas.

1867, April 5-Headquarters transferred to Vicksburg.

April 13-General orders or circulars of the assistant commissioner of refugees to be submitted, prior to promulgation, to General Ord.

April 15-No elections to be held for any purpose, till a registration of voters be made. Freedmen urged not to neglect their business to engage in political discussions, but to continue to provide for themselves and families, lest "a famine may come and they have no food." Due notice will be given of the times and places for registration.

May 6-Attention called to the prevalence of horse-stealing, and post commanders directed to exert themselves to break it up.

May 13-Instructions to registering officers directed the exclusion of all persons who held an office under the General Government prior to the war, and who afterwards engaged in or gave aid and comfort to rebellion. Registers not permitted to be candidates for Convention, or to make speeches, or electioneer for or against any candidate for office.

Whenever freedmen are interfered with, threatened or deprived of any advantage, place, or hire, on account of their registering or showing a wish to register, they will be informed it is their duty to report, such interference or deprivation, so that the party offending may be dealt with according to law. Registers and officers of the army throughout the district will report all such offenders to the assistant adjutant general at these headquarters, with the names of witnesses, date, and places given carefully, so that the ofmay be punished.

fence

July 29-An order issued notifying all State der nugatory the action of Congress designed and municipal officers that any attempt to rento promote the better government of the rebel States, by speeches or demonstrations at public sufficient cause for their summary removal. The meetings in opposition thereto, will be deemed same prohibition in regard to speeches will be applied to all officers holding appointments from these headquarters, and to officers of the army

in this district.

August 13-An order issued, that the general commanding having been credibly informed that in some instances land-holders within this district are, without legal cause, but upon frivolous pretexts, driving off their laborers, with a view to withhold their arrears of wages, or share in the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abanthe growing crops, assistant commissioners of doned Lands will instruct their subordinates June 12-Sales of land, implements, stock, carefully to investigate every such case which &c., under authority of State courts, where the may come to their knowledge, affording all the cause of action accrued prior to January 1, 1866, parties a full hearing, so that, should the cirstayed till December 30, 1867, to go into effect cumstances as developed disclose, on the part of in Mississippi June 20, and in Arkansas June 30. the employers, cruel treatment of the laborer, or Illicit distilling of corn into whiskey, prohib-fender may be brought to trial before a military an attempt to defraud him of his wages, the ofited; property seized for violation of this order to be sold for the benefit of the poor. commission.

[ocr errors]

June 17-A poll-tax having been imposed upon freedmen by the county boards of police in Mississippi, under Section II of the act of Legislature of November 24, 1865, "An act to amend the vagrant laws," it being, so far as it discriminates against freedmen, manifestly contrary to the civil rights act, all civil officers are forbidden to collect it.

been paid, the removal of the crop is prohibited till the claim can be adjusted by three referees, (one to be selected by each party and the third by them,) "the courts of the States in this district not being open to persons too poor to give bonds."

Where laborers on the crop of 1866 have not

August 31-It was held that an attorney or counsellor at law is not an officer in the sense of the acts of Congress relating to registration, and voting for secession was giving aid and comfort to the enemies of the United States.

June 29-An order issued, reciting that, as mistaken ideas on the subject of registering and voting may spread or arise among the freedmen in this district, which, if not corrected, would tend to prevent them from registering and September 6-Where a person, indicted for a voting, sub-district commanders will direct the criminal offence, can prove by two credible witagents of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, nesses that he was a loyal man during the reand Abandoned Lands to visit every important bellion, believes that he cannot by reason of plantation within their reach and instruct the that fact get a fair and impartial trial by jury, freedmen upon these points. They and registhe court will not proceed to try the case, but the ters will inform the freedmen that the registra-papers shall be transmitted to these headquartion, where their names have to be entered and tion, no denial to them of the benefit of those ters. As freed people bear their share of taxaan oath taken, is not for the purpose of impos-laws will be tolerated, and a refusal or neglect ing any tax, or holding them to any military or to provide properly for colored paupers will be treated as a dereliction of official duty.

* See page 30 of Manual of 1866.

September 9-The assembling of armed or- | binations or conspiracies have been formed, to ganizations or bodies of citizens, under any pre- carry into effect such purposes by lawless viotence whatever, is prohibited. lence, I now warn you that you cannot succeed.

September 10-Persons connected with the rebel armies, who have avoided taking the parole oath, will, within 30 days, report, and take it. September 26-Registration having been completed, an election for or against a convention, and for delegates, will be held on the first Tuesday in November. Judges and clerks of election to take the test oath; registration to be revised for fourteen days prior to election; sheriff of each county made responsible for good order; public bar rooms closed; no register, judge, or clerk, to be a candidate.

September 27-Election for convention or dered in Arkansas, first Tuesday in November. December 5-It was ordered that, in consequence of stolen goods being sold or delivered after dark, traders and all other parties are forbid purchasing or delivering country supplies after sunset till market hour in the morning, and making such sale or delivery a military offence. December 5-A " Convention" declared carried by a majority of the registered vote in each State. The delegates for Mississippi are called to meet at Jackson, on January 7, and of Arkansas at Little Rock on January 7. All persons not in the military service, and not properly engaged in executing the laws, are prohibited from carrying concealed weapons.

December 12-Whenever a citizen is arrested by the military, he will be at once furnished with a written copy of the charges. Writs of habeas corpus by United States courts will be in all cases obeyed and respected by all officers of the military service in this command.

December 14-Sheriffs and other peace officers are requested to be prepared, with the aid of the posse comitatus, to arrest, disarm, and confine offenders against the peace and good order of the community; vagrancy and crime are to be suppressed. This order covered a proclamation of Governor Humphreys, of December 9, to this effect:

Whereas comm'inications have been received at this office, from gentlemen of high official and social position in different portions of the State, expressing serious apprehensions that combinations and conspiracies are being formed among the hlacks, "to seize the lands and establish farms, expecting and hoping that Congress will arrange a plan of division and distribution," "but unless this is done by January next, they will proceed to help themselves, and are determined to go to war, and are confident that they will be victors in any conflict with the whites," and furnish names of persons and places; and

Whereas similar communications have been received at headquarters fourth military district, and referred to me for my action, and the cooperation of the civil authorities of the State, with the United States military, in suppressing violence and maintaining order and peace

Now, therefore, I, Benjamin G. Humphreys, Governor of Mississippi, do issue this my proclamation, admonishing the black race, that if any such hopes or expectations are entertained, you have been grossly deceived, and if any com

Upon the reference of the papers referred to in this proclamation to General Ord, he, under date of November 2, instructed General Gillem to learn what white men have been advising the freedmen to take arms, seize lands, or do any other illegal act, and to instruct the leading freedmen that Congress has no intention to take land from the late masters for the benefit of former slaves. General Gillem ordered promptlyto arrest all incendiaries. Gov. Humphreys, in his proclamation, admonished the whites that, as they prized constitutional liberty for themselves, they must accord to the black race the full measure of their rights, privileges, and liberties secured to them by the Constitution and laws of the land; that they must deal justly with the blacks, and in no case undertake to redress wrongs, except in the mode and manner authorized by law.

December 16-It was declared that boards of arbitration for the protection of laborers, would be hereafter appointed only where a laborer may complain that his wages or share of the crop is wrongfully withheld from him, and where a landlord or merchant may complain that the planter has fraudulently assigned to the laborer an undue share of the crop, to the injury of the complainant.

December 17-All freedmen who are able will be required to earn their support during the coming year. Those who can, but will not work, will be liable to arrest as vagrants.

December 19-County courts in Arkansas directed to make immediate provision for their poor.

December 21-Result of election in Arkansas on convention officially declared, and convention directed to assemble.

1868, January 7-Arkansas Convention met; adjourned February 11. Same day-Mississippi Convention met; adjourned May 18.

January 9-An order was issued restoring to the civil courts of Mississippi the jurisdiction of general cases of horse-stealing, &c.; though, should it appear that any person charged with this crime could not obtain an impartial trial by reason of his political sentiments or his race, the jurisdiction shall still remain in the hands of the military.

January 27-Hereafter all questions arising from settlements of crops, and generally the relations of debtors and creditors of civil suitors, will be left to the proper civil courts, except such cases affecting the rights of freedmen, or others, as by acts of Congress are specially committed to the care of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands.

February 4-The general commanding refused to issue an order for the relief of debtors, believing that the homestead and exemption laws of Mississippi placed every one beyond the necessity of such protection.

February 14-Election on constitution of Arkansas, State officers, and Representatives in Congress, ordered for March 14.

March 14-Election held in Arkansas

« AnteriorContinuar »