for future
determination.

"SIMON CAMERON, _Secretary of War_.

"To Maj.-Gen. BUTLER.

In an account of the life and services of Capt. Grier Talmadge, the
"Times" correspondent says:

"To the deceased, who was conservative in his views and actions,
belongs the credit of first enunciating the 'contraband' idea as
subsequently applied in the practical treatment of the slaves of
rebels, Early in the spring of 1861, Flag-Officer Pendergrast, in
command of the frigate 'Cumberland,' then the vessel blockading
the Roads, restored to their owners certain slaves that had
escaped from Norfolk. Shortly after, the Flag-Officer, Gen.
Butler, Capt. Talmadge, and the writer chanced to meet in the
ramparts of the fortress, when Capt. T. took occasion, warmly,
but respectfully, to dissent from the policy of the act, and
proceeded to advance some arguments in support of his views.
Turning to Gen. Butler, who had just assumed command of this
department, he said: 'General, it is a question you will have to
decide, and that, too, very soon; for in less than twenty-four
hours deserting slaves will commence swarming to your lines. The
rebels are employing their slaves in thousands in constructing
batteries all around us. And, in my judgment, in view of this
fact, not only slaves who take refuge within our lines are
contrabands, but I hold it as much our duty to seize and capture
those employed, or intended to be employed, in constructing
batteries, as it is to destroy the arsenals or any other
war-making element of the rebels, or to capture and destroy the
batteries themselves.' Within two days after this conversation,
Gen. Butler has the question practically presented to him, as
predicted, and he solved it by applying the views advanced by the
deceased."[82]

The conservative policy of Congress, the cringing attitude of the
Government at Washington, the reverses on the Potomac, the disaster of
Bull Run, the apologetic tone of the Northern press, the expulsion of
slaves from the Union lines, and the conduct of "Copperheads" in the
North--who crawled upon their stomachs, snapping and biting at the
heels of Union men and Union measures,--bred a spirit of unrest and
mob violence. It was not enough that the service of free Negroes was
declined; they were now hunted ou