Calls attention to the Ordinance of Emancipation passed by the people of Missouri in July 1863 that guaranteed freedom to all slaves and limited the legal rights of masters, saying that it is not being obeyed because masters are continuing to sell their slaves for life; petitions that an order be issued 'restraining such facilities in the future?Ǫwarning all slave owners against transcending their legal rights.' Transcription: ROOMS WESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION, St. Louis, Nov. 9. 1863 Major. Genl J M Schofield Comg [commanding?] &c. Dear Sir. I would respectfully represent that by the Ordinan
Calls attention to the Ordinance of Emancipation passed by the people of Missouri in July 1863 that guaranteed freedom to all slaves and limited the legal rights of masters, saying that it is not being obeyed because masters are continuing to sell their slaves for life; petitions that an order be issued 'restraining such facilities in the future?Ǫwarning all slave owners against transcending their legal rights.' Transcription: ROOMS WESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION, St. Louis, Nov. 9. 1863 Major. Genl J M Schofield Comg [commanding?] &c. Dear Sir. I would respectfully represent that by the Ordinance of Emancipation passed by ?ǣThe People of Missouri in Convention Assembled ? in July 1863, the term of servitude of slaves held in the state at that time was limited to seven years. Namely to July 4th 1870, with certain conditions of service, for those under Twelve or over Forty years, annexed. By this ordinance, therefore, freedom is guarantied to all slaves, as above recited, and the legal right of masters is limited & restrained accordingly. In contravention of this ordinance many of the Slave-owners in the state are continuing to exercise the full and unconditional right of ownership, by selling their slaves for life, and also by removing them or causing them to be removed from Missouri to the state of Kentucky or elsewhere, to be sold for life and thus unjustly & fraudulently deprived of their legal & vested rights under said ordinance of Emancipation. Instances of this kind are daily occurring, sometimes under circumstances of great hardship, in the separation of families & otherwise, and facilities for such action are given by military authorities in this Department. I respectfully call your attention to these facts and humbly petition that an order be issued restraining such facilities in the future, either by the giving of passes or in any other way, at least until the legal rights of masters & slaves, as prescribed by the Ordinance, shall have been passed upon an
Size: 1738px × 2876px
Photo credit: © The Picture Art Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: african_americans, civil_war, clubs_organizations, slavery
