(Private)
New Orleans, December 23rd, 1862.
Dear Sir: Since
the date of my last letter no important changes have occurred. The policy of
Gen. Banks is not yet made public. Gen. Butler leaves to-morrow, and probably,
immediately after his departure, Gen. Banks will issue new orders and
proclamations. At his request I matured and submitted to him a plan for
inducing the shipment of produce from the country to this City, and for
furnishing abundant supplies to those living within our lines — in such a
manner however, that each individual can protect his own interests, and there
will be full security against improper disposition of whatever is received by
him. The General approved the plan and will adopt it. By it producers and
consumers will be protected from the arts of speculators and interference of
officials. I will inform you of the details whenever the order appears adopting
the plan, which will be very soon.
I do not know your opinions and wishes concerning Gen.
Butler, but it is certain that his removal gives great satisfaction to all
classes including officers, soldiers and citizens. The hostility to him is
almost entirely on account of commercial affairs. About this, I have written to
you frequently. It does seem to me that many and serious wrongs have been
permitted in this Department.
Gen. Banks desires that trade should be restricted as little
as possible — provided nothing goes beyond our lines, and he will effect it, I
think. The military commission1 — a corrupt concern — has ceased its
operations — not to recommence them, I hope.
Gen. Banks tells me he intends to organize more negro
regiments. Those now in the service are just as efficient for fighting or any
other purpose — as any white regiments.
The colored population fear the President will revoke his
proclamation. Threats of insurrection are frequent — in case the proclamation
should not be made effective on the 1st. January.
After the River is opened, the whole country west of the Mississippi
can be conquered in ninety days. Why not do it and make it free soil at once.
Slavery is there dead forever, and the Mississippi River will be a convenient
western boundary to the institution for the few years that it will continue to
exist in the remaining Slave States.
_______________
1 This commission was appointed November 9, 1862,
General Orders, No. 91, to administer upon sequestered property in the La
Fourche district of Louisiana. Cf. letter of January 8, 1863.
SOURCE: Diary and correspondence of Salmon P. Chase, Annual
Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol.
2, p. 341-2
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