war. The members of the Legislature say they have received no official information of the amendment of the Federal Constitution abolishing slavery. They have no objection to adopting the first section of the amendment proposed; but they fear that the second section may be construed to give Congress power of local legislation over the negroes, and white men, too, after the abolishment of slavery. In good faith South Carolina has abolished slavery, and never will wish to restore it again. amendment, in conflict with the policy of the President, declared in his amnesty proclamation, and with the restoration of that harmony upou which depend the vital interests of the American Union. Respecting the repudiation of the rebel State debt, this telegraphic correspondence took place : DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 1865. His Excellency B. F. PERRY, Provisional Governor: Your despatch of this date was received at The Legislature is passing a code of laws providing ample and complete protection for the negro. There is a sincere desire to do every-half-past 10 o'clock this morning. This freedom thing necessary to a restoration of the Union, and tie up and heal every bleeding wound which has been caused by this fratricidal war. I was elected United States Senator by a very flattering vote. The other Senator will be elected today. B. F. PERRY, Provisional Governor. WASHINGTON, November 6, 1865. His Excellency B. F. PERRY, Prov. Gov.: Your despatch to the President of November 4 has been received. He is not entirely satisfied with the explanations it contains. He deems necessary the passage of adequate ordinances declaring that all insurrectionary proceedings in the State were unlawful and void ab initio. Neither the Constitution nor laws direct official information to the State of amendments to the Constitution submitted by Congress. Notices of the amendment by Congress abolishing slavery were nevertheless given by the Secretary of State at the time to the States which were then in communication with this Government. For mal notice will immediately be given to those States which were then in insurrection. The objection you mention to the last clause of the constitutional amendment is regarded as querulous and unreasonable, because that clause is really restraining in its effect, instead of enlarging the powers of Congress. The President considers the acceptance of the amendment by South Carolina as indispensable to a restoration of her relations with the other States of the Union. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. November 7-Provisional Governor Perry sent a message communicating these telegrams, and recommending the ratification, and that they "place on record the construction which had been given to the amendment by the executive department of the Federal Government." November 13-The Legislature ratified the anti-slavery amendment, in this form: 1. Resolved, &c., That the aforesaid proposed amendment of the Constitution of the United States be, and the same is hereby, accepted, and adopted and ratified by this State. 2. That a certified copy of the foregoing preamble and resolution be forwarded by his excellency the Provisional Governor to the President of the United States, and also to the Secretary of State of the United States. 3. That any attempt by Congress towards legislating upon the political status of former slaves, or their civil relations, would be contrary to the Constitution of the United States as it now is, or as it would be altered by the proposed of loyal intercourse between South Carolina and her sister States is manifestly much better and wiser than separation. The President, and the whole country are gratified that South Carolina has accepted the congressional amendment to the Constitution abolishing slavery. Upon reflection South Carolina herself would not care to come again into the councils of the Union incumbered and clogged with debts and obligations which had been assumed in her name in a vain attempt to subvert it. The President trusts that she will lose no time in making an effective organic declaration, disavowing all debts and obligations created or assumed in her name or behalf in aid of the rebellion. The President waits further events in South Carolina with deep interest. You will remain in the exercise of your functions of provisional governor until relieved by his express directions. WM. H. SEWARD. COLUMBIA, November 27, 1865. Hon. W. H. SEWARD: Your telegram of the 20th instant was not received in due time, owing to my absence from Columbia. The Convention having been dissolved, it is impracticable to enact any organic law in regard to the war debt. That debt is very small, as the expenditures of South Carolina were reimbursed by the confederate government. The debt is so mixed up with the ordinary expenses of the State that it cannot be separated. In South Carolina all were guilty of aiding the rebellion, and no one can complain of being taxed to pay the trifling debt incurred by his own assent in perfect good faith. The Convention did all that the President advised to be done, and I thought it wrong to keep a revolutionary body in existence and advised their immediate dissolution, which was done. There is now no power in the Legislature to repudiate the debt if it were possible to separate it from the other debts of the State. Even then it would fall on widows and orphans whose estates were invested in it for safety. B. F. PERRY, Provisional Governor. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, November 30, 1865 SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 27th instant, imforming me, that as the Convention had been dissolved, it was impossible to adopt the President's suggesstion to repudiate the insurgent debt, and to inform you that while the objections which you urge to the adoption of that proceeding are of a serious nature, the Presi ever. dent cannot refrain from awaiting with interest | manding the people to give it no heed whatan official expression upon that subject from the Legislature.* I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD. His Excellency B. F. PERRY. November-The colored State Convention addressed a memorial to Congress, asking that equal suffrage be conferred upon them in comnon with the white men of the State. November 22-Election held for Representatives in Congress. Respecting their admission there was this telegraphic correspondence: COLUMBIA, S. C., November 27, 1865. President JOHNSON: Will you please inform me whether the South Carolina members of Congress should be in Washington at the organization of the House. Will the Clerk of the House call their names if their credentials are presented to him? Will the test oath be required, or will it be refused by Congress? If the members are not allowed to take their seats they do not wish to incur the trouble and expense of going on, and the mortification of being rejected. Do give your views and wishes. B. F. PERRY, EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Washington, D. C., November 27, 1865. B. F. PERRY, Provisional Governor: I do not think it necessary for the members elect from South Carolina to be present at the organization of Congress. On the contrary, it will be better policy to present their certificates of election after the two Houses are organized, and then it will be a simple question under the Constitution of the members taking their seats. Each House must judge for itself the election, returns, and qualifications of its own members. As to what the two Houses will do in reference to the oath now required to be taken before the members can take their seats is unknown to me, and I do not like to predict; but, upon the whole, I am of opinion that it would be better for the question to come up and be disposed of after the two Houses have been organized. I hope that your Legislature will adopt a code in reference to free persons of color that will be acceptable to the country, at the same time doing justice to the white and colored population. ANDREW JOHNSON, President of the United States. FLORIDA. 1865, April 8-Abraham K. Allison, President of the rebel Senate, of Florida, announced the death of John Milton, rebel Governor, and appointed June 7 for election of a successor. May 14-Major General Gillmore issued an order annulling this proclamation, and com *December 21-Before adjourning, the subject of the repudiation of the war debt was referred to the Committee on Federal Relations, who recommended the appointment of a special joint committee of both Ilouses to inquire into the amount of such debt due by the State, and to whom due; and to report at the next regular session of the Legis lature, which will be in November, 1866. July 13-William Marvin appointed Provisional Governor. August 3-Provisional Governor Marvin called an election for delegates to a convention for October 10th-these provisions governing the election: "Every free white male person of the age of twenty-one years and upwards, and who shall be at the time of offering to vote a citizen of the United States, and who shall have resided and had his home in this State for one year next preceding the election, and for six months in the county in which he may offer to vote, and who shall have taken and subscribed the oath of amnesty, as set forth in the President's proclamation of amnesty of the 29th day of May, 1865, and if he comes within the exceptions contained in said proclamation, shall have taken said oath, and have been specially pardoned by the Presi dent, shall be entitled to vote in the county where he resides, and shall be eligible as a member of said convention, and none others. Where the person offering to vote comes within the exceptions contained in the amnesty proclamation, and shall have taken the amnesty oath, and shall have made application to the President for a special pardon through the Provisional Governor, and shall have been recommended by him for such pardon, the inspectors or judges of the election may, in most instances, properly presume that such pardon has been granted, though, owing to the want of mail facilities, it may not have been received by the party at the time of the election. "Free white soldiers, seamen, and marines in the army or navy of the United States, who were qualified by their residence to vote in said State at the time of their respective enlistments, and who shall have taken and subscribed the amnesty oath, shall be entitled to vote in the county where they respectively reside. But no soldier, seaman, or marine not a resident in the State at the time of his enlistment shall be allowed to vote." October 25-Convention met. October 28.-Secession ordinance annulled. November 6-Slavery abolished-" slavery having been destroyed in the State by the Government of the United States." Same ordinance gives colored people the right to testify in all cases where the person or property of such person is involved, but denies them the right to testify where the interest of the white class are involved. Same day-Rebel State debt repudiated. A bill was first passed submitting this question to a vote of the people: but this was reconsidered, on finding this was a condition of recognition by the executive branch of the government, and the direct repudiation adopted. November 29-Election held under an ordinance of the Convention for State officers and Representative in Congress. December 18-Legislature met. December 28-Anti-slavery amendment ratified, with this declaratory resolution a part of the ratifying instrument: "Resolved, That this amendment to the Con stitution of the United States is adopted by the | the United States as indispensable to a success- DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, September 12, 1865. SIR: Your excellency's letter of the 29th ultimo, with the accompanying proclamation, has been received and submitted to the President. may The steps to which it refers, towards reorganizing ent servant, OFFICE OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNOR, TALLAHASSEE, FLA., October 7, 1865. * * * I have said that the Convention will, in good faith, abolish slavery; but I think it probable that the Legislature, which will be elected and convened at an early period, will feel some reluctance against ratifying the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The principal argument urged against the ratification is, that the Legislature will thereby assist to impose abolition on Kentucky and Delaware, which have not yet abolished slavery. If the President should think it desirable that the Legislature should ratify the proposed amendment, either with a view to promote a more complete reconciliation between the North and the South, or for any other reason, he possibly may not deem it amiss to communicate to me his wishes on the subject. His wishes on the subject would be very potent in the State. The military authorities in the State, under the command of Major General Foster, are rendering me every possible assistance in sending out notices and proclamations of the election, in the absence of mail facilities, and no disagree ments exist between us. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. MARVIN, Provisional Governor. Hon. W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WILLIAM H. SEWARD. VIRGINIA. 1865, April 4-President Lincoln visited Richmond. April 7-An informal meeting of private individuals, among whom were five or six members of the rebel legislature in Richmond, was had to consider a suggestion that the Legislature reassemble to call a Convention to restore Virginia to the Union, said to be with the concurrence of President Lincoln. April 12-This address was published in tho Richmond Whig: ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA. The undersigned, members of the Legislature of the State of Virginia, in connection with a number of the citizens of the State, whose names are attached to this paper, in view of the evacuation of the city of Richmond by the Confederate government and its occupation by the military authorities of the United States, the surrender of the army of northern Virginia, and the suspension of the jurisdiction of the civil power of the State, are of the opinion that an immediate meeting of the General Assembly of the State is called for by the exigencies of the situation. The consent of the military authorities of the United States to a session of the Legislature in Richmond, in connection with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, to their free deliberation upon public affairs, and to the ingress and departure of all its members under safe conduct, has been obtained. The United States authorities will afford trans portation from any point under their control to any of the persons before mentioned. The matters to be submitted to the Legislature are the restoration of peace to the State of Virginia, and the adjustment of the questions, involving life, liberty and property, that have arisen in the State as a consequence of war. We, therefore, earnestly request the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and members of the Legislature, to repair to this city by the 25th of April, instant. We understand that full protection to persons and property will be afforded in the State, and we recommend to peaceful citizens to remain at their homes and pursue their usual avocations with confidence that they will not be interrupted. We earnestly solicit the attendance in Richmond, on or before the 25th of April, instant, of the following persons, citizens of Virginia, to confer with us as to the best means of restor WASHINGTON, November 1, 1865. ing peace to the State of Virginia. We have His Excellency WILLIAM MARVIN, secured safe conduct from the military authorities of the United States for them to enter the city and depart without molestation: Provisional Governor: Your letter of October 7 was received and submitted to the President. He is gratified with Hons. R. M. T. Hunter, A. T. Caperton, Wm, the favorable progress towards reorganization C. Rives, John Letcher, A. H. H. Stuart, R. L. in Florida, and directs me to say that he re- Montague, Fayette McMullen, J. P. Holcombe, gards the ratification by the Legislature of the Alex. Rives, B. Johnson Barbour, Jas. Barbour, congressional amendment of the Constitution of Wm. L. Goggin. J. B. Baldwin, Thos. S. Ghol son, Waller Staples, S. D. Miller, Thos. J. Ran- | Virginia together, as the rightful Legislature of dolph, Wm. T. Early, R. A. Claybrook, John Critcher Williams, T. H. Eppes, and those other persons for whom passports have been procured, and especially others whom we consider it unnecessary to mention. Signed A. J. Marshall, Senator from Fauquier. David J. Saunders, of the House of Delegates, L. S. Hall, of the House of Delegates, Wetzel county. J. J. English, of the House of Delegates, Henrico county. Wm. Ambers, of the House of Delegates, A. M. Keetz, House Delegates, Petersburg, Joseph Mayo, Mayor, city of Richmond. Thomas W. Dudley, Sergeant, Richmond city. Littleton Tazewell, Commonwealth's Attorney, Richmond city. Wm. T. Joynes, Judge of the Circuit Court, Petersburg. John A. Meredith, Judge of the Circuit Court, Richmond. Wm. H. Lyons, Judge of the Hustings Court, Richmond. Wm. C. Wickham, Member of Congress, Rich mond. Benjamin S. Ewell, President of William and Nat. Tyler, editor Richmond Enquirer. R. R. Howison, Richmond. W. Goddin, Richmond. P. G. Bagley, Richmond. Wm. M. Harrison, Charles City. Cyrus Hall, Ritchie. Thos. W. Garnett, King and Queen. James A. Scott, Richmond. I concur in the preceding recommendation. Major General Commanding. OFFICE U. S. MILITARY TELEGRAPH, WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., April 12, 1865. Major General WEITZEL, Richmond, Va.: have just seen Judge Campbell's letter to you of the 7th. He assumes, as appears to me, that I have called the insurgent Legislature of the State, to settle all differences with the United tive order recognizing the Pierpoint Adminis June 19-Legislature met. which June 20-Bill passed prescribing means by the third article of the constitution may be repersons who have been disfranchised by stored to the rights of voters. [It provides, substantially, that persons, otherwise qualified as voters, who take the amnesty oath and an oath to uphold the executive government of Virginia, shall be qualified as voters.] June 21-Bill passed submitting to a vote of the people whether the legislature to be chosen at the next election should have power to alter or amend the third article of the constitution, which is in these words: "No person shall vote or hold office under this constitution who has held office under the so-called Confederate government, or under any rebellious State government, or who has been a member of the so-called Confederate Congress, or a member of any State Legislature in rebellion against the authority of the United States, excepting therefrom the county officers." June 23-Legislature adjourned. October 12-Election held for Representatives in Congress. The vote on empowering the Legislature to alter the third article almost unanimously affirmative. December 4-Legislature assembled. A bill passed, providing that all qualified voters heretofore identified with "the rebellion," and not excluded from the amnesty proclamation by President Johnson (with the exception of those embraced in the "$20,000 clause,") can appear before a notary public, or other persons authorized to administer oaths, under the restored Government, and recover the right of suf frage, by taking the amnesty oath of the 29th of May, 1865, an oath to support the restored Gov officers. TENNESSEE. 1865, March 4-William G. Brownlow elected Governor, under the organization effected by Andrew Johnson, Military Governor. Brownlow received 23,352 votes, scattering 37. June 5-Franchise act passed, with these pro ernment of Virginia, and to protect and defend | have left judicial stations under the United the Constitution of the United States. He also States or the State of Tennessee to aid, in any becomes eligible to office, unless he has "held way, the existing or recent rebellion against the office under the so-called Confederate govern- authority of the United States, or who are or ment, or under any rebellious State government, shall have been military or naval officers of the or has been a member of the so-called Confede- so-called Confederate States, above the rank of rate Congress, or a member of any State Legis- captain in the army or lieutenant in the navy; lature in rebellion against the authority of the or who have left seats in the United States ConUnited States," excepting therefrom county gress or seats in the Legislature of the State of Tennessee, to aid in said rebellion, or have resigned commissions in the army or navy of the United States, and afterward have voluntarily given aid to said rebellion; or persons who have been engaged in treating otherwise than lawfully, as prisoners of war, persons found in the United States service as officers, soldiers, seamen, been or are absentees from the United States for or in any other capacities; or persons who have who held pretended offices under the governthe purpose of aiding the rebellion; or persons ment of States in insurrection against the United States; or persons who left their homes within the jurisdiction and protection of the United States, or fled before the approach of the national forces and passed beyond the Federal military lines into the so-called Confederate States, for the purpose of aiding the rebellion, shall be denied and refused the privilege of the elective franchise in this State for the term of fifteen years from and after the passage of this act. visions: SEC. 1. Be it enacted, &c., That the following persons, to wit: 1. Every white man twenty-one years of age, a citizen of the United States and a citizen of the county wherein he may offer his vote six months next preceding the day of election, and publicly known to have entertained unconditional Union sentiments from the outbreak of the rebellion until the present time; and 2. Every white man, a citizen of the United States and a citizen of the county wherein he may offer his vote six months next preceding the day of election, having arrived at the age of twenty-one years since March 4, 1865: Provided, That he has not been engaged in armed rebellion against the authority of the United States voluntarily; and 3. Every white man of lawful age coming from another State, and being a citizen of the United States, on proof of loyalty to the United States, and being a citizen of the county wherein he may offer his vote six months next preceding the day of election; and 4. Every white man, a citizen of the United States and a citizen of this State, who has served as a soldier in the army of the United States, and has been or may be hereafter honorably discharged therefrom; and wherein he 5. Every white man of lawful age, a citizen of the United States and a citizen of the county may offer his vote six months next preceding the day of election, who was conscripted by force into the so-called confederate army, and was known to be a Union man, on proof of loyalty to the United States, established by the testimony of two voters under the previous clauses of this section; and SEC. 3. That all other persons, except those mentioned in section one of this act, are hereby and henceforth excluded and denied the exercise of the privilege of the elective franchise in this State for the term of five years from and after the passage of this act. SEC. 4. That all persons embraced in section three of this act, after the expiration of said of the elective franchise by petition to the cirfive years, may be readmitted to the privilege cuit or chancery court, on proof of loyalty to the United States, in open court, upon the testimony of two or more loyal citizens of the United States. July 15-President Johnson sent this telegram: To Governor W. G. Brownlow: I hope, as I have no doubt you will see, that "endorse. 6. Every white man who voted in this State at the presidential election in November, 1864, or voted on the 22d of February, 1865, or voted on the 4th of March, 1865, in this State, and all others who had taken the “oath of allegiance to the United States, and may be known by the judges of election to have been true friends to the Government of the United States, and would have voted in said previously mentioned elections if the same had been holden within their reach, shall be entitled to the privileges of the elective franchise. SEC. 2. That all persons who are or shall have been civil or diplomatic officers or agents of the Bo-called Confederate States of America, or who SEC. 1. That every white male inhabitant of this State of the age of twenty-one years, a citizen of the United States and a resident of the county wherein he may offer his vote six months next preceding the day of election, shall be enti |