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laws which, under this bill, would be applied to September 19-Slavery declared abolishe the freedmen; and I think that a mere recital "the slaves in South Carolina having been eman of some of their provisions will show the impol-pated by the action of the United States author icy and injustice of enforcing them upon the negroes in their new condition."

Governor Patton has also vetoed "a bill entitled an act to regulate the relations of master and apprentice, as relate to freedmen, free negroes and mulattoes," because he deems the present laws amply sufficient for all purposes of apprenticeship, without operating upon a particular class of persons.

The Legislature passed a tax bill, of which these are two sections:

ties."

September 27-Election ordered for thi Wednesday in October, for State officers. Or nance passed, creating four congressional dis tricts.

September 29-Convention adjourned.
October 18-James L. Orr elécted Governor
October -Legislature met.
This telegraphic correspondence occurred:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, D. C., October 28, 18
B. F. PERRY, Provisional Governor :

"12. To sell, or expose for sale, for one year, at any one place, any pictorial or illustrated Your last two despatches have been receive weekly, or any monthly paper, periodical or and the pardons suggested have been ordere magazine, published outside the limits of this I hope that your Legislature will have no hes State, and not in a foreign country, and to vend tancy in adopting the amendment to the Cons the same on the streets, or on boats or railroad tution of the United States abolishing slaver cars, fifty dollars." It will set an example which will no doubt "13. To keep a news depot for one year, in any followed by the other States, and place Sout city, town or village, for the sale of any news- Carolina in a most favorable attitude before th paper, periodical or magazine, not including pic-nation. I trust in God that it will be do torials provided for in the preceding paragraph, The nation and State will then be left free an ten dollars."

The Legislature passed some joint resolutions on the state of the Union, of which this, the fourth, is the most important:

"That Alabama will not voluntarily consent to change the adjustment of political power as fixed by the Constitution of the United States, and to constrain her to do so, in her present prostrate and helpless condition, with no voice in the councils of the nation, would be an unjustifiable breach of faith; and that her earnest thanks are due to the President for the firm stand he has taken against amendments to the Constitution forced through in the present condition of affairs."

The code became operative June 1st, under a proclamation of Governor Patton.

SOUTH CAROLINA.

1865, May 2-Gov. Magrath issued a proclamation that the confederate stores within the State should be turned over to State officers, to be distributed among the people.

May 8-Gov. Magrath summoned the State officers to Columbia to resume their duties.

May 14-Maj. Gen. Gillmore issued an order annulling the Governor's acts, and notifying the persons interested not to heed his proclamations. June 30-Benjamin F. Perry was appointed Provisional Governor.

July 20-Prov. Gov. Perry issued a proclamation fixing the first Monday of September for an election for a State Convention-the qualifications of voters being thus prescribed:

Every loyal citizen who had taken the amnesty oath, and not within the excepted classes in the President's proclamation, will be entitled to vote, provided he was a legal voter under the constitation as it stood prior to the secession of South Carolina. And all who are within the excepted classes must take the oath and apply for a pardon, in order to entitle them to vote or become members of the convention.

untrammeled to take that course which soup

policy, wisdom, and humanity may suggest.

ANDREW JOHNSON, President.

--

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D. C., October 31, 1865. B. F. PERRY, Provisional Governor :

There is a deep interest felt as to what coun the Legislature will take in regard to the ado tion of the amendment to the Constitution of th United States abolishing slavery, and the a sumption of the debt created to aid in the rebe lion against the government of the United State If the action of the convention was in good fait why hesitate in making it a part of the Const tution of the United States?

I trust in God that restoration of the Uni will not now be defeated, and all that has so f been well done thrown away. I still have fait that all will come out right yet.

This opportunity ought to be understood a appreciated by the people of the southern State If I know my own heart and every passi which enters it, my earnest desire is to resto the blessings of the Union, and tie up and he every bleeding wound which has been caused this fratricidal war. Let us be guided by lo and wisdom from on high, and Union and will once more reign throughout the land., ANDREW JOHNSON

pea

COLUMBIA, S. C., November 1, 1865.

His Excellency ANDREW JOHNSON,

President United States: I will send you to-day the whole proceedin of the State Convention, properly certified, you request.

The debt contracted by South Carolina duri the rebellion is very inconsiderable. Her penditures for war purposes were paid by confederate government. She has assum no debt, or any part of any debt, of that gover

ment. Her whole State debt at this time is on

September 13-Convention met. September 15-Secession ordinance repealed, about six millions, and that is mostly for ra 107 to 3.

roads and building new State-house prior to

The members of the Legislature say they | amendment, in conflict with the policy of the President, declared in his amnesty proclamation, and with the restoration of that harmony upon which depend the vital interests of the American Union.

e received no official information of the endment of the Federal Constitution abolishslavery. They have no objection to adoptthe first section of the amendment proposed; they fear that the second section may be strued to give Congress power of local legison over the negroes, and white men, too, er the abolishment of slavery. In good faith th Carolina has abolished slavery, and never I wish to restore it again.

Respecting the repudiation of the rebel State debt, this telegraphic correspondence took place :

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 1865.

His Excellency B. F. PERRY,

Provisional Governor:

The Legislature is passing a code of laws proing ample and complete protection for the Your despatch of this date was received at gro. There is a sincere desire to do every-half-past 10 o'clock this morning. This freedom ng necessary to a restoration of the Union, 1 tie up and heal every bleeding wound which 3 been caused by this fratricidal war. I was cted United States Senator by a very flattervote. The other Senator will be elected toB. F. PERRY, Provisional Governor.

y.

WASHINGTON, November 6, 1865. is Excellency B. F. PERRY, Prov. Gov.: Your despatch to the President of November 4 s been received. He is not entirely satisfied th the explanations it contains. He deems cessary the passage of adequate ordinances claring that all insurrectionary proceedings in e State were unlawful and void ab initio. either the Constitution nor laws direct official

formation to the State of amendments to the onstitution submitted by Congress. Notices of e amendment by Congress abolishing slavery ere nevertheless given by the Secretary of tate at the time to the States which were then communication with this Government. Foral notice will immediately be given to those tates which were then in insurrection.

The objection you mention to the last clause f the constitutional amendment is regarded as uerulous and unreasonable, because that clause really restraining in its effect, instead of enarging the powers of Congress. The President onsiders the acceptance of the amendment by outh Carolina as indispensable to a restoration f her relations with the other States of the Jnion.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD. November 7-Provisional Governor Perry ent a message communicating these telegrams, and recommending the ratification, and that hey "place on record the construction which had been given to the amendment by the execucive department of the Federal Government." November 13-The Legislature ratified the anti-slavery amendment, in this form :

1. Resolved, &c., That the aforesaid proposed amendment of the Constitution of the United States be, and the same is hereby, accepted, and adopted and ratified by this State.

2. That a certified copy of the foregoing preamble and resolution be forwarded by his excellency the Provisional Governor to the President of the United States, and also to the Secretary

of State of the United States.

3. That any attempt by Congress towards legislating upon the political status of former slaves, or their civil relations, would be contrary to the Constitution of the United States as it now is, or as it would be altered by the proposed

of loyal intercourse between South Carolina and her sister States is manifestly much better and wiser than separation. The President and the whole country are gratified that South Carolina has accepted the congressional amendment to the Constitution abolishing slavery. Upon reflection South Carolina herself would not care to come again into the councils of the Union incumbered and clogged with debts and obligations which had been assumed in her name in a vain attempt to subvert it. The President trusts that she will lose no time in making an effective organic deelaration, disavowing all debts and obligations created or assumed in her name or behalf in aid of the rebellion. The President waits further events in South Carolina with deep interest.

You will remain in the exercise of your funetions of provisional governor until relieved by his express directions.

WM. H. SEWard.

COLUMBIA, November 27, 1865. Hon. W. H. SEWARD: Your telegram of the 20th instant was not received in due time, owing to my absence from Columbia. The Convention having been dissolved, it is impracticable to enact any organic law in regard to the war debt. That debt is very small, as the expenditures of South Carolina were reimbursed by the confederate government. The debt is so mixed up with the ordinary expenses of the State that it cannot be separated. In South Carolina all were guilty of aiding the rebellion, and no one can complain of being taxed to pay the trifling debt incurred by his own assent in perfect good faith. The Convention did all that the President advised to be done, and I thought it wrong to keep a revolutionary body in existence and advised their immediate dissolution, which was done. There is now no power in the Legislature to repudiate the debt if it were possible to separate it from the other debts of the State. Even then it would fall on widows and orphans whose estates were invested in it for safety. B. F. PERRY, Provisional Governor.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

WASHINGTON, November 30, 1865. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 27th instant, imforming me, that as the Convention had been dissolved, it was impossible to adopt the President's suggesstion to repudiate the insurgent debt, and to inform you that while the objections which you urge to the adoption of that proceeding are of a serious nature, the Presi

dent cannot refrain from awaiting with interest | manding the people to give it no heed wha an official expression upon that subject from the Legislature.*

vant,

have the honor to be, sir, your obedient serWILLIAM H. SEWARD.

His Excellency B. F. PERRY. November-The colored State Convention addressed a memorial to Congress, asking that equal suffrage be conferred upon them in common with the white men of the State. November 22-Election held for Representatives in Congress.

Respecting their admission there was this telegraphic correspondence:

COLUMBIA, S. C., November 27, 1865.

President JOHNSON:

Will you please inform me whether the South Carolina members of Congress should be in Washington at the organization of the House. Will the Clerk of the House call their names if their credentials are presented to him? Will the test oath be required, or will it be refused by Congress? If the members are not allowed to take their seats they do not wish to incur the trouble and expense of going on, and the mortification of being rejected. Do give your views and wishes.

B. F. PERRY, Provisional Governor.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,

Washington, D. C., November 27, 1865.

B. F. PERRY, Provisional Governor:

I do not think it necessary for the members elect from South Carolina to be present at the organization of Congress. On the contrary, it will be better policy to present their certificates of election after the two Houses are organized, and then it will be a simple question under the Constitution of the members taking their scats. Each House must judge for itself the election, returns, and qualifications of its own members. As to what the two Houses will do in reference to the oath now required to be taken before the members can take their seats is unknown to me, and I do not like to predict; but, upon the whole, I am of opinion that it would be better for the question to come up and be disposed of after the two Houses have been organized.

I hope that your Legislature will adopt a code in reference to free persons of color that will be acceptable to the country, at the same time doing justice to the white and colored population. ANDREW JOHNSON,

President of the United States.

FLORIDA.

1865, April 8-Abraham K. Allison, President of the rebel Senate, of Florida, announced the death of John Milton, rebel Governor, and appointed June 7 for election of a successor.

May 14-Major General Gillmore issued an order annulling this proclamation, and com

December 21-Before adjourning, the subject of the repudiation of the war debt was referred to the Committee on Federal Relations, who recommended the appointment of a special joint committee of both IIouses to inquire into the amount of such debt due by the State, and to whom due; and to report at the next regular session of the Legislature, which will be in November, 1866.

ever.

July 13-William Marvin appointed Pr visional Governor.

August 3-Provisional Governor Marv called an election for delegates to a conventi for October 10th-these provisions governin the election:

"Every free white male person of the age twenty-one years and upwards, and who sha be at the time of offering to vote a citizen of t United States, and who shall have resided a had his home in this State for one year ne preceding the election, and for six months the county in which he may offer to vote, a who shall have taken and subscribed the oath amnesty, as set forth in the President's proclam tion of amnesty of the 29th day of May, 1865, a if he comes within the exceptions contained said proclamation, shall have taken said oat and have been specially pardoned by the Pres dent, shall be entitled to vote in the count where he resides, and shall be eligible as a mer ber of said convention, and none others. Wher the person offering to vote comes within the e ceptions contained in the amnesty proclamation and shall have taken the amnesty oath, an shall have made application to the President fo a special pardon through the Provisional Gov ernor, and shall have been recommended b him for such pardon, the inspectors or judg of the election may, in most instances, properl presume that such pardon has been granted though, owing to the want of mail facilities, may not have been received by the party at th time of the election.

"Free white soldiers, seamen, and marines i the army or navy of the United States, wh were qualified by their residence to vote in sai State at the time of their respective enlistment and who shall have taken and subscribed the am nesty oath, shall be entitled to vote in the count where they respectively reside. But no soldie seaman, or marine not a resident in the State the time of his enlistment shall be allowed t vote."

October 25-Convention met.

October 28.-Secession ordinance annulled. November 6-Slavery abolished-" slaver having been destroyed in the State by the Go ernment of the United States." Same ordinan gives colored people the right to testify in a cases where the person or property of such pe son is involved, but denies them the right testify where the interest of the white class a involved.

Same day-Rebel State debt repudiated. bill was first passed submitting this question a vote of the people; but this was reconsidere on finding this was a condition of recognition! the executive branch of the government, and t direct repudiation adopted.

November 29-Election held under an ord nance of the Convention for State officers an Representative in Congress.

December 18-Legislature met.

December 28-Anti-slavery amendment rat fied, with this declaratory resolution a part the ratifying instrument:

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Resolved, That this amendment to the Co

stitution of the United States is adopted by the the United States as indispensable to a successLegislature of the State of Florida, with the un-ful restoration of the true legal relations bederstanding that it does not confer upon the tween Florida and the other States, and equally Congress the power to legislate upon the politi- indispensable to the return of peace and harcal status of the freedmen in this State." mony throughout the Republic. 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 in-
surgents who may wish to yote, 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 dis-
posed of as soon as may be practicable. It must,
however, be distinctly understood that the restora-
tion 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,
WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
His Excellency WILLIAM MARVIN.

* * *

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.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

VIRGINIA.

1865, April 4-President Lincoln visited Richmond.

April 7-An informal meeting of private individuals, among whom were five or six members of the rebel legislature in Richmond, was had to consider a suggestion that the Legislature reassemble to call a Convention to restore Virginia to the Union, said to be with the concurrence of President Lincoln.

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 an immediate meeting of the General Assembly of the State is called for by the exigencies of the situation. The consent of the military authori ties 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.

The United States authorities will afford trans

Portation 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

The military authorities in the State, under Lieutenant Governor, and members of the LegisWe, therefore, earnestly request the Governor, the command of Major General Foster, are ren-lature, to repair to this city by the 25th of April, dering me every possible assistance in sending instant. 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, WASHINGTON, November 1, 1865. 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

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 ing peace to the State of Virginia. We have 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

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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 of 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 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, Richmond.

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

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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,

the paper I gave him;

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.

June 20-Bill passed prescribing means by

which

the third article of the constitution may be repersons who have been disfranchised by substantially, that persons, otherwise qualified stored to the rights of voters. [It provides, 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, I which is in these words:

"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.

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

October 12-Election held for Representatives Legislature to alter the third article almost The vote on empowering the unanimously affirmative.

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

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