USA > Georgia > The Confederate records of the State of Georgia, Vol 2 pt 2 > Part 27
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This surrender was made after the surrender of Gen- eral Lee and General Johnston with their armies. It was not pretended that Governor Brown had violated his parole, and still the arrest was made by the military.
SS5
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN.
These facts were brought before President Johnson, who, after the Governor had been imprisoned nine days in Carroll prison and had been a week on city parole, de- cided that he was entitled to his discharge and released him.
The President, however, refused to recognize the State Governments which existed while the States were under the Confederate Constitution and appointed Pro- visional Governors for the Southern States to reorganize the State Governments. Hon. James Johnson of Co- lumbus, was appointed Provisional Governor of Georgia, and on the 29th of June, 1865, Governor Brown issued an address to the people of Georgia in which he resigned his office into their hands. This he thought appropriate and respectful to them, as they had four times honored him with their suffrage for the highest office in their gift.
Below is a copy of the address.
MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA,
June 30th, 1865.
To the People of Georgia:
I feel profoundly impressed with a sense of the obli- gation which I am under to you for the manifestation of your kindness and confidence which I have so often received. At four different elections you have honored me with your suffrage for the highest position within your gift, and I have, to the best of my ability, repre- sented you in the Executive office for nearly eight years. While my duties have often been of the most laborious and trying character, I feel the consciousness that I have
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CONFEDERATE RECORDS
labored with an honest purpose to promote your best interests. That I have committed errors is not denied; that they have been intentional, your conduct has shown, you did not believe.
During the period of my administration the country has passed through a most trying ordeal. The great question at issue between the North and the South, hav- ing failed to find a peaceful solution in the forum of reason, has been submitted for decision to the arbitra- ment of arms, and the judgment has been against us in the highest tribunal known among nations. The contest has been long and bloody. Each party has learned to respect the manhood and the chivalry of the other. But the South has been overcome by the superior numbers and boundless resources of the North. We have no further power of successful resistance, and no other alternative but to accept the result.
The Government of the United States, having refused to recognize or tolerate the State Governments which have existed under the Confederate Constitution during the struggle, has ordered the arrest of the Governors of these States. I was arrested and imprisoned, after I had surrendered the Georgia troops and militia, and have given my parole upon the same terms allowed to General Lee and General Johnston, and have received from the Major-General, to whom the parole was given, the usual pledge of the faith of the United States that I was not to be molested so long as I observed the parole and obeyed the laws of force prior to 1st Jan- uary, 1861. Upon the facts being brought before the President of the United States, he ordered that I be released upon my parole and permitted to return home.
SS7
STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN.
I am embraced in one of the exceptions in the Presi- dent's amnesty proclamation. I have received no par- don, nor have I taken any oath, nor am I permitted to resume the exercise of Executive functions. I was in the Executive office prior to the commencement of the war and by the Constitution of the State then in exis- tence, it is declared that I shall hold till a successor is chosen and qualified. I have felt it my duty to an- nounce these facts to you, and as I can be of no further service to my State by attempting to hold the office of the Governor, I hereby resign it into the hands of the people who have so long and so generously conferred it upon me.
While taking my leave of you and retiring to private life, I trust it may not be considered inappropriate for me to add a few remarks upon what I consider the true interests and the duties of the people of Georgia in the present hour. I have lately passed through several of the Northern States and have been in some of their lar- gest cities I have read the newspapers closely ; have had interviews with public officials high in authority, and have taken pains to ascertain both the policy of the Government and the popular sentiment of the country on the subject of emancipation of the slaves of the South, and I beg to assure you that there is no division of opin- ion upon the subject of immediate abolition. It is de- ereed alike by the people and the Government. They have the power, and they are determined to exercise it and to overcome all obstacles which we may attempt to throw in the way. Indeed, they treat it as an aecom- plished fact, under the proclamation of the late President, issued as war measures necessary to the life of the Gov- ernment.
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CONFEDERATE RECORDS
As matters now stand, to fight against it is to contend against manifest destiny. Besides, slavery has been so disturbed and the slaves so demoralized during the war that it is a matter of great doubt whether they could ever be kept in a state of proper subordination, and the insti- tution made profitable in future.
Under these circumstances the question arises, what shall we do? Nothing we can do will prevent the result, and it is my deliberate opinion that any effort on our part to thwart the will of the Government on this great question will only add to our miseries and our misfor- tunes. The statesman, like the business man, should take a practical view of the questions as they arise, and do for those dependent upon him the best that can be done under all the circumstances by which they are at the time surrounded.
Applying this rule to our present condition, and re- membering that revolution and war often sweep away long established usages, demolish theories and change institutions, it is, in my judgment, best that we accept the fate imposed upon us by the fortunes of war, and that we give up slavery at once, by the action of the convention, which it is supposed will assemble under the call of the Provisional Governor appointed to re-or- ganize the State Government; that we organize a system of labor as speedily as possible which will be alike just to the late master and slave; that we return to the Union in good faith, and do all in our power as good citizens to relieve the distressed, repair the damages which have resulted from the contest, and restore permanent
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STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN.
peace and prosperity to the whole country under the old flag, to which all must again look for protection, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
As I will give no advice to others which I will not practice myself, I shall immediately do all which the Constitution and laws of my State will permit, to eman- cipate my own slaves, and shall treat them as free, and give them part of the crop or such other wages as may be agreed upon, for their future labor.
During my sojourn there, I found, among the people of the North, much less bitterness than I had anticipated towards the people of the South. If we act prudently, and do nothing to cause unnecessary agitation or to pro- voke angry and unprofitable discussions, I think there are strong reasons to hope that a sentiment of justice and liberality will prevail so soon as we have given up slavery, and the passions engendered by the unfortunate and wicked assassination of the late President have had time to subside.
In making up their judgment, upon cool reflection, it should be remembered by just men of the North that they are sitting as judges in their own cause; that their adver- sary's side of the question has ceased to be represented or heard, and that if they will restore unity, harmony and permanent prosperity to the whole country they must, while flushed with victory, exercise magnanimity to their fallen foes, whose heroism they are obliged to respect. Otherwise, though held in the Union by force, they could not expect the people of the South and their posterity to meet them in future as friends and embrace them as fellow citizens. I trust their good practical
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sense will teach them this, and that moderation and wise counsels may in future prevail on both sides.
Foreign nations have looked with astonishment upon the immense strength put forth by the two sections dur- ing the war, and they cannot fail to understand the invin- cibility and power of the Government, which unites in harmonious concert the whole strength of the two gigantic belligerents, while they would readily appreciate the di- minished strength of this great power if roots of bitter- ness are constantly springing up and bearing the fruits of discord and sectional hate.
When slavery has been abolished I believe the present Chief Magistrate of the United States who, having sprung from the mass of the people and by his industry, energy and ability having passed through almost every grade of office from the lowest to the highest, may justly be styled a representative man, will cast his immense power and influence into the scale of equal rights and popular Government, and will leave the States when re-or- ganized, the undisturbed management of their own in- ternal affairs, including the questions of suffrage, police, the regulation of labor, etc. I therefore recommend the people of Georgia to give his administration a generous support.
I also recommend every citizen, who is allowed to do so, and who expects to remain in the country, to take the oath and qualify themselves as voters under the rules prescribed by the President. What will be the result? The few who do qualify, whatever may be their charac- ter, will elect delegates of their own number to represent their respective counties in the convention which is to
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STATE PAPERS OF GOVERNOR JOS. E. BROWN.
shape the Constitution of the State for the future gov- ernment of all. I think all should take the oath and observe it in good faith, and do all they ean to elect their wisest and best men as representatives, that all the dif- ferent interests of the State may be protected as far as possible, and her honor and credit maintained against unwise and unjust legislation. Many conscientious men object to taking the oath, because they believe the procla- mation and Acts of Congress during the war on the sub- jeet of slavery are unconstitutional, and they are not willing to swear to abide by and support them. It must be remembered that the late proclamation of President Johnson tenders pardon to all who are not excepted, if they take the oath. The pardon then is conditional, and while the President does not interfere with any ones opinions on the Constitutional question, he requires, as a condition to the extension of clemency, that he who re- ceives the pardon and is allowed to retain the balance of his property, shall give up his slaves.
The proclamation of President Lincoln declared the slaves to be free. To abide by and support it is simply to treat them as free. Every intelligent man in Georgia who has taken the pains to investigate the question, must see that slavery is now at an end. The oath simply re- quires that each so treat it. The other portion of the oath is not objectionable. Every man should be willing to support the Constitution of a Government if he intends to live under it and act the part of a good citizen. If he does not, lie should seek a home and protection elsewhere.
I will only add in conclusion that I shall carry with me into my retirement a lively appreciation of the gener-
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CONFEDERATE RECORDS
ous confidence which you have so long reposed in me, and my constant prayer to God will be for your prosperity and happiness.
I am, very respectfully, Your fellow citizen and
Obedient servant,
JOSEPH E. BROWN.
Milledgeville, June 29th, 1865.
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INDEX
A
Akins, T. J., transferred to Capt. Talbot's company, 728.
Alexander, A., appointed agent of the State to ship goods stored at Nassau, 874 ..
Allen, C. W., transferred to Capt. Talbot's company, 728.
Amos, Win. T., not subject to conseription, 875.
Anderson, Major, spiked guns and burned gun carriages in Ft. Moultrie, 10.
Ashley, Dr. Wm., appointed surgeon, 70.
Atlanta, large portion of burned by enemy, 790; State's property to be stored in Masonic building in, 813.
B
Barker, Eldridge, exempt from military duty, 857.
Barrow, Col. David C., authorized to organize five military com- panies, 76.
Baylor, C. G., appointed Commissioner to governments of Great Britain, France, etc., 442; 443; commission revoked, 733.
Beall, A. A., appointed agent of the State to purchase cotton, ete., 682.
Beall, Lt. Col., battalion commanded by furloughed, 865.
Bell, William, ordered released, 706.
Bigham & Cox, Governor Brown contracts with, for supply of salt, 692; appointed State agents to procure salt, 696.
Blackburn, Dr. J. C. C., appointed surgeon, 71.
Bonds, seven per cent. to be substituted for six per cent. in hands of Georgia banks, 39.
Bradford, Capt. T. M., military storekeeper, 46; ordered to ship arms to Savannah, 5S.
Brown, Governor Joseph E., message to House on purchase and distribution of arms, 3; message concerning purchase of steamers, 6; statement of, concerning occurrences connected with seizure of Fort Pulaski, 9; instruction from, to Col. Lawton, 14; action of, in seizing Fort approved by con- vention, 19; orders seizure of New York ships in Savannah
893
894
INDEX.
harbour, 24; instructs Gen. Jackson to make other seizures, 26; issues bonds for payment of arms, 29; orders New York ships sold, 30; again orders New York ships released, 31; orders certain companies into service at Norfolk, 32; letter from, to Major-General J. A. Clark, 43; accepts "Oconee Grays," 55; orders "German Artillery" to prepare to march, 57; letter from, to J. C. Ferrill, 58; requested to take charge of B. & F. R. R. Co., 62; takes charge of same, 64; annual message from, Nov. 6, 1861, 77; inaugurated Govern- or for third term, 125; inaugural address of, 125; requested to furnish House correspondence with Secretary of War, 134; contracts with Col. La Mat to purchase rifles, ete., 137; Inessage of, to Senate concerning correspondence with Secretary of War, 138; orders Capt. Field to seize salt, 145; message to House concerning correspondence with Secre- tary of War relative to coast defenses, 146; message to General Assembly in reference to coast defenses and State troops, 149; committee reports on message of, in relation to tender of troops in service of State to Confederate gov- ernment, 160; message from, recommending appropriation for relief of Charleston, 170; protest of, against action of House, 171; orders to sheriff of Fulton County concerning Wm. Watkins, 182; letter from, to Brig .- Gen. W. P. Howard concerning Watkins, 185; orders transportation furnished recruits to Capt. Napier's Artillery, 195; orders transporta- tion for recruits for Capt. Stewart's company, 196; appeals to mechanics of Georgia to manufacture pikes and knives, 199; exempts Noble Bros.' Co. from duty to make cannon, 201; orders seizure of block tin, 202; report of, on eall of Secretary of War for twelve additional regiments, 208; turns over to Confederate General all State troops, 215; orders of, concerning shipment of cotton, 217; orders R. H. Howell to remove engraving apparatus to Augusta, 219; secures lease on interest in Va. Salt Works, 223; orders Secretary of State to issue proclamation for arrest of de- serters, 225; letter from, to Col. J. I. Whitaker concerning distribution of salt, 225; letter from, declaring contract Inade by Capt. S. G. Cabell unauthorized, 232; appeals for laborers to finish defenses around Savannah, 236, 238 agrees to take salt at $7.50 per bushel, 237; annual message from, Nov. 6, 1862, 240; special message from, on con- scription Act, 283; message from, in reference to salt, 309; message to General Assembly enclosing letters from Brig .- Gen. Mercer in reference to fortifications around Savannah, 311; message to General Assembly concerning 18th Regt. Ga. Volunteers, 315; message to General Assembly con-
895
INDEX.
cerning conduct of negroes at St. Mary's, 317; message to House in reference to Hon. T. B. King, 322; committee reports on same, 324; message to House concerning Quar- termaster and Commissary Generals, etc., 32S; letter from, to Col. Foster concerning seizure of factories, etc., 332; message to General Assembly concerning right of Georgia troops to elect officers to fill vacancies, 335; message to General Assembly in reference to manufacture of pikes and knives, 344, 353; message to Senate concerning reso- lutions authorizing Governor to provide clothing, etc., for destitute Georgia troops, 354; letter from, to county offi- cers, concerning distillation of grain, 356; letter from, to T. T. Windsor, concerning cotton cards, 360; message to General Assembly giving reasons for extra session, etc., 367; message to Senate concerning purchase of interest in card factory, 395; message to House transmitting report of Comptroller-General, 399; message to House transmit- ting report of Quartermaster-General, 407; message to House transmitting contract for manufacture of salt, 413; letter to, from M. S. Temple in reference to manufacture of salt, 420, 427; letter from, to Temple, 426; letter to, from J. R. Wikle, 429; message to General Assembly con- cerning increase in wages of private soldiers, 433; message to General Assembly concerning continuance of office of Adjutant and Inspector-General, 437; orders arrest of de- serters, 446; instructs Gen. Foster to procure yarn for needy families, 450; letter from, to Col. P. Thweatt, con- cerning Income Tax Act, 453; orders public records removed to place of safety, 469; informs Home Guards that Prest. Davis claims right to appoint commanding officers, 476; revokes licenses authorizing distillation of grain 479, 480, 536, 559, 561, 562, 568-586, 665, 666, 669, 670, 676-682, 6SS, 690-692, 697, 702, 705, 709, 710, 783; annual message to General Assembly, Nov. 6, 1863, 481; inaugurated Gov- ernor for fourth term, 536; message to General Assembly concerning illicit distillation, 540; message to General Assembly disapproving tithing system, 541; contracts with Seago, Palmer & Co. for salt, 546; message to General Assembly advising them of receipt of old and captured battle flags, 550; message to General Assembly enclosing letter from Maj. Locke, 552; letter to Dr. G. D. Phillips concerning supply of wood, 554; message to General Assem- bly concerning losses sustained by State in transportation of freights for Confederate Government, 556; message to House refusing assent to Act authorizing payment of State and county taxes in Confederate treasury notes, 563;
896
INDEX.
charters steamers to export cotton, etc., for the State, 581; message to General Assembly in extra session, March 10, 1864, 587; message to General Assembly recommending purchase of cotton cards, 666; requests that Georgia Hos- pital Association be permitted to export cotton for pur- pose of importing supplies, 668; message to House con- cerning exemption of Methodist ministers, 671; message to Senate in reference to law exempting State officers, 672; message to General Assembly on order for enrollment of State Militia between 17 and 50 years, and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, 673; threatens extra session of General Assembly, 676; issues statement specifying dif- ferent officers exempt from conscription, 683; exempts other officers, 689; contracts with Bigham & Cox for salt. 692; instructions to Georgia Militia, 716; issues orders to aides-de-camp concerning exemption of millers, 718; ap- peals to citizens of Macon for aid, 722; issues orders for protection of Milledgeville, 722: orders arrest of policemen failing to do duty, 725; orders bonds of absentees in. mil- itary service not forfeited, 727; letter to Col. J. I. Whitaker . in reference to scarcity of salt, 728; annual message to General Assembly, Nov. 3, 1864, 733: message to General Assembly concerning men held in habeas corpus cases, 781; message to House concerning purchase and disposition of cotton, 784; message to House transmitting names of aides- de-camp appointed under Act to reorganize State Militia, 788; message to House transmitting report of superintend- ent of card factory, 789; message to General Assembly that Atlanta and other towns have been burnt by the enemy, 790; suggests adjournment of legislature to the front to aid in struggle, 791; special message to General Assembly on message of President of Confederacy relating to ex- . emptions from conscription, 792; orders camps for or- ganization of militia established, 805; approves orders issued by Maj .- Gen. Howell Cobb, 811; orders return of property belonging to State House, 812; issues orders to reserve militia, 814; message to General Assembly at extra session, Feb. 15, 1865, S1ยบ; message to General Assembly concerning cotton cards, 836; message to Senate concerning troops used as guard for capital, 859; message to General Assembly recommending sale of cotton for relief of suffering prison- ers, S61; pledges faith of State to carry out contracts to secure transportation of corn, S62; message to General Assembly concerning impressment of corn, 862; message to General Assembly concerning propriety of ealling con- vention of the people, etc., 867; congratulates General
S97
INDEX.
Assembly, etc., on restoration of Gen. J. E. Johnston to his command, 869; message to House disapproving Aet to distill certain quantities of liquors, 871; message to General Assembly on purchase and shipment of cotton, 872; contracts with Munday & Hancock to take charge of telegraph line, 877; arrested, in violation of his parole, and carried to Washington City, 884; released, SS5; issues ad- dress resigning his office, 885.
Brunswick & Florida R. R. Co., resolutions, of, 60; Governor re- quested to take charge of, 62.
Burghard, Captain, authorized to contract for manufacture of harness, 57.
Burke, Capt. T. A., supplies ordered for, 71.
C
Cabell, Capt. S. G., contraets made by, unauthorized by Gov- ernor Brown, 232.
Caldwell, Rev. J. M. M., authorized to ship one bale of thread, 364. Campbell, Henry F., money sent to, for benefit of Georgia Hos- pital in Virginia, 51.
Camps McDonald and Stephens, subsistence of troops at, 72.
Capers, Brig. Gen. F. W., certain companies to report to, 133; appo nted Brigadier-General, 133.
Chastain's regiment threatens to abandon field and go home, 16S. Christopher, Captain, to report to Co !. Ledford, S13.
"City Light Guards," of Columbus, ordered into Confederate service, 32.
Clark, Maj .- Gen. Josiah A., letter to., from Governor Brown, 43. Cleveland, Col. Henry, ordered to report to Gen. Harrison, 59 Cobb, Brig .- Gen. Howel!, to command Hoine Guards, 476.
Cobb, Maj .- Gen. Howell, issues general orders, 810.
Commissioners appointed to alter Great Seal report, 538.
Committee reports on message of Governor Brown relative to tender of troops, 160.
Cotton cards, instructions of Governor Brown concerning, 360; message from Governor Brown to Senate concerning pur- chase of interest in, 395; Governor Brown recommends appropriation to pay for, 666; message from Governor Brown to General Assembly concerning, 856.
Cunningham, John, appointed military purveyor, 13.
Curry, Dr. James W., appointed assistant surgeon,' 70.
898
INDEX.
D
Davis, President, claims right to appoint commanding officers of Home Guards, 476.
Davison, John, appointed agent of State in Augusta to fund State treasury notes, etc., 679.
Dearing, A. P., appointed financial agent, claim as exempt by Governor Brown, 701.
Dodamead, Thomas, letter from, to Maj. B. H. Bigham concern- ing transportation of salt, 431.
E
Enlisted men who have not been inustered into service who fail to respond when company is ordered into service not de- serters, 67.
Etheridge, Captain, to receive guns, 45.
F
Felton, M. L., appointed agent of State to purchase corn, 875. Ferrill, John C., letter to, from Governor Brown, 58.
Field, Capt. E. M., ordered to seize salt, 145.
Flags, old battle flags and captured flags received by Governor Brown, 550, 552.
Floyd, Col. H. H., letter to, from Governor Brown, asking per- mission to call out militia, 321.
"Floyd Rifles," from Macon, ordered into Confederate service, 33. Floyd, Secretary of War, resigns from cabinet, 11.
Fort Pulaski, facts connected with seizure of, 9; Col. Lawton ordered to occupy, 13; occupied by Col. Lawton, 16; falls into hands of enemy, 214.
Foster, Gen. Ira R., appointed special agent to examine arms, etc., in State arsenal at Savannah, 37; ordered to furnish supplies to Capt. T. A. Burke, 71; receipts of, 73-75; in- structions to, 317, 804; letter to, from Governor Brown, cncerning seizure of factories, 332; report of, 408-413; to furnish shoes and clothing to Georgia troops in Confederate service, 445; instructed to procure yarn for needy families, 450; appointed to audit claims of officers and privates of 4th Georgia Brigade, 700; officers under command of Lt .- Gen. Taylor to render assistance to, SOS.
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