Upon consultation with Major General B. F. BUTLER, and with his concurrence and advice, the Commanding General directs as follows:

1st. The following named persons will be released from arrest immediately upon the receipt of this order at the posts at which they are confined, and upon their giving parole not to commit any act of hostility to the United States, or render any aid or comfort to the enemies of the United States, during the existing war.

PARISH PRISON OF PARISH OF ORLEANS.

2d. The following named persons will be released from arrest upon taking the

No. 116.

New Orleans, December 24, 1862.

The following address of the Commanding General to the People of Louisiana, dated this day, is published to the troops of this Department for the information and government of all concerned:

TO THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA :

In order to correct public misapprehension and misrepresentation; for the instruction of the troops of this Department, and the information of all parties in interest, official publication is herewith made of the Proclamation by the President of the United States, relating to the subject of Emancipation. In the examination of this document it will be observed:

I. That it is the declaration of a purpose only-the full execution of which is contingent upon an official designation by the President, to be made on the 1st day of January next, of the States and parts of States, if any, which are to be affected by its provisions:

II. That the fact that any State is represented in good faith in the Congress of the United States, is conclusive evidence, in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, that such State, and the people thereof, are not in rebellion against the United States:

III. That the State of Louisiana, has not yet been designated by the President as in rebellion, nor any part thereof, as provided in the fourth paragraph of the proclamation annexed, and that, so far as the Government has jurisdiction, it has complied with all the conditions of the Proclamation respecting representation:

IV. That pecuniary aid to States not in rebellion, which may hereafter provide for immediate or gradual emancipation; the colonization of persons of African descent elsewhere, and the compensation of all citizens who have remained loyal, "for all losses by acts of the United States, including slaves," are among the chief recommendations of this important paper.

It is manifest that the changes suggested therein, and which may hereafter be established, do not take effect within this State on the first of January proximo, nor at any precise period which can now be designated, and I call upon all persons, of whatever estate, condition or degree, soldiers, citizens or slaves, to observe this material and important fact, and to govern themselves accordingly. All unusual public demonstrations, of whatever character, will be for the present suspended. Provost Marshals, officers and soldiers are enjoined to prevent any disturbance of the public peace. The slaves are advised to remain upon their plantations until their privileges shall have been definitely established. They may rest assured that whatever benefit the Government intends will be secured to them, but no man can be allowed in the present condition of affairs to take the law into his own hands. If they seek the protection of the Government, they should wait its pleasure. Officers invested with command will be vigilant in the discharge of their duties. Leave of absence from camp will not be permitted, except in cases of great emergency. Soldiers enrolled in the regiments of Native Guards, will not be allowed for the present to visit the localities of their enlistment, nor will visitors be received unnecessarily in their camps. These regulations, enforced with all troops of the United States in the localities where they are enlisted, are now imperatively necessary. These troops will be confined to the duty specified in general orders, and will not be charged with special authority in making searches, seizures or arrests. It is my purpose to execute faithfully all the orders of the Government, and I assume the responsibility of these instructions as consistent therewith, and require prompt and faithful execution thereof.

Public attention is called to the Act of Congress cited in the Proclamation, which forbids the return of fugitives by officers of the army. No encouragement will be given to laborers to desert their employers, but no authority exists to compel them to return. It is suggested to planters that some plan be adopted by which an equitable proportion of the proceeds of the crops of the coming year, to be hereafter determined upon the judgment of honorable men justly representing the different interests involved, be set apart and reserved for the support and compensation of labor.