ed in the
breasts of our fellow men of all countries to pass judgment
on a measure by which several millions of human beings of an
inferior race--peaceful and contented laborers in their
sphere--are doomed to extermination, while at the same time
they are encouraged to a general assassination of their
masters by the insiduous recommendation to abstain from
violence unless in necessary defence. Our own detestation of
those who have attempted the most execrable measures
recorded in the history of guilty man is tempered by
profound contempt for the impotent rage which it discloses.
So far as regards the action of this government on such
criminals as may attempt its execution, I confine myself to
informing you that I shall--unless in your wisdom you deem
some other course expedient--deliver to the several State
authorities all commissioned officers of the United States
that may hereafter be captured by our forces in any of the
States embraced in the Proclamation, that they may be dealt
with in accordance with the laws of those States providing
for the punishment of criminals engaged in exciting servile
insurrection. The enlisted soldiers I shall continue to
treat as unwilling instruments in the commission of these
crimes, and shall direct their discharge and return to their
homes on the proper and usual parole."

The confederate Congress soon took up the subject, and after a
protracted consideration passed the following:

"_Resolved_, By the Congress of the Confederate States of
America, in response to the message of the President,
transmitted to Congress at the commencement of the present
session. That, in the opinion of Congress, the commissioned
officers of the enemy _ought_ not to be delivered to the
authorities of the respective States, as suggested in the
said message, but all captives taken by the confederate
forces, ought to be dealt with and disposed of by the
Confederate Government.

"SEC. 2.--That in the judgment of Congress, the
Proclamations of the President of the United States, dated
respectively September 22nd, 1862, and January 1st, 1863,
and other measures of the Government of the United States,
and of its authorities, commanders and forces, designed or
intended to emancipate slaves in the Confederate States, or