James A. Seddon to Wyndham Robertson, January 24, 1864

Richmond, Va., January 24, 1864.

WYNDHAM ROBERTSON, Ksq., Chairman Committee on Confederate Relations, House of Delegates of Virgina:

Sir: I regret that other more pressing engagements have prevented me from sooner acknowledging your communication of the 13th instant relative to the forced withdrawal of able-bodied male slaves from localities within the lines of the enemy or exposed to their inroads. The aims which were contemplated in the proposition heretofore made by me to obtain the sanction of the Legislature of Virginia to such removal were chiefly two: First, to save such slaves to the owners and prevent the abstraction of so much productive and valuable labor from the Commonwealth; and secondly, to prevent their being seduced or compelled by the enemy to recruit his armies and increase the resources employed by them in the atrocious warfare waged against us.

In reference to the first of these ends, I am free to admit that information gathered by me from inquiries made and manifestations of sentiment in different exposed localities lead me to concur in the opinion you express as to the repugnance and apprehension entertained by owners of the effect of such proceedings upon their slave property. They should be able to form the best judgment as to the means of preserving their property, and the Department is disposed to defer to their judgment and relinquish all idea of acting with a view to the preservation of the slaves to their owners or the Commonwealth. In the second point it is evident that the contingencies may occur which would render it an imperative military duty on the part of the Government to remove, as far as its power allowed, able-bodied men who were about to be, and without such action would certainly be, placed in the Army of the enemy. Heretofore the enemy have used mainly seduction, and, except in very limited localities and those

entirely within their power, have not, so far as known, drafted or forced slaves into military service. Such course has, however, been threatened, and may at any time be adopted and enforced as their settled rule of action. In such event it is presumed no objection could or would be entertained by those now most reluctant to the removal of the able-bodied male slaves. I may say, however, to remove apprehensions on the part of owners, that no present necessity of the kind is known to exist, and that in deference to the wishes and judgment entertained by the owners, as well as by the members of the State Legislature whose opinions have been declared, great reluctance will be felt in resorting to removal, and that it will be only done under such plain necessity as it is hoped will reconcile it to the judgment and interest of all. In such event, too, if cireumstances allow, previous notice will be given, so as to afford the option to owners to remove all the slave families.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Secretary of War.