February 7, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
BANKS is weaving a net of despotism over that portion of our sister State, the meshes of which are more subtle than the policy of BUTLER. The latter was open in his tyranny, and the brutal and rigorous manner in which he enforced his edicts, only served to strengthen our friends into resistance. The new commander is proving himself an accomplished tyrant, whose insidious advances are more to be feared than the bold attacks of the Brute who has made himself so infamous. We have the Baton Rouge Gazette and Comet, of the 21st, which contains a series of orders from the Federal commander, which demonstrate our friends have nothing to hope from him so far as his power may extend to enforce his edicts. In order No. 7 he makes another assessment, ostensibly for the relief of the poor, upon those have publicly and voluntarily given financial aid, advice and example to the Southern cause, and also directs the immediate collection of the last assessment by BUTLER. He extends a hope – an idle one, of course – that thus applied will be a subject of equitable consideration hereafter. Another order undertakes to regulate the conduct of the citizen, which, although not so odious in its terms as the famous order of BUTLER, so much deprecated by the civilized world, is equally as unusual, and will attach as much odium to the source from whence it emanated. By its terms the children may become grave political offenders. We append the document in full:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
NEW ORLEANS, January 3, 1863.
Notice is hereby given by the Commanding General of this Department, that offensive personal demonstrations, by language or conduct, of any character, by persons of any class whatever, with the intention of giving personal offence, or tending to disturb the public peace, are forbidden, and will be punished with relentless severity. Parents will be held responsible for the respectful conduct of their children, and prompt measures will be taken to fasten upon the proper parties any act of this character. All persons who may be witnesses to such conduct are directed, as a measure of public peace, to give information thereof to the Provost Marshal, or at these Headquarters.
By command of Major General BANKS.
RICHARD B. IRWIN,
Lieut. Col., Ass. Adj. General.
Order No. 8 determines property rights. Its regulations are as follows:
1. No further seizure of property will be made, except upon claims for debts due the Government, without orders from these headquarters.
2. The Commission will sell at public auction all property in its possession that has not been, or may not be, claimed or released, except such as may be required for the use of the army, and turn over the proceeds thereof to the Chief Quartermaster, subject to further order. The Commission will cause to be sold, as it may deem best, the crops of any plantations worked under permits from the Government, and pay over to the parties working them a part of the proceed, not exceeding one-fourth, until after the Commission is satisfied that their contracts have been properly carried out, and take such other measures in regard to such plantations as may be necessary, not involving the Government in any expense beyond its interest in the crops.
3. Persons working plantations under orders from the government will account to the commission herein named for the whole crop, and the proceed to which the government is entitled, when realized by the commission, are to be added to the fund in the hands of the quartermaster.
4. All supplies in the hands of commercial agencies in city or country, will be sold as speedily as practicable, the receipts to be applied to the payment of salaries of agents, who will be discharged and paid, and the balance placed in the hands of the quartermaster. Claims of the government upon crops for supplies advanced to planters and other parties will be collected forthwith, and all unsettled claims will be placed in the hands of the chief quartermaster for collection.
5. Abandoned estates may be placed in the charge of overseers or other persons upon such terms and conditions as to profits and labor as may be deemed just and expedient by the commission upon full consideration of the rights of the government and all parties in interest.
6. All property, real or personal, liable to confiscation under the acts of Congress, will, upon proper representation and complaint, as provided by law, be adjudicated and disposed of by the order of the district court, provisionally established by the President, in pursuance of the acts of Congress.
7. All products of the country sent to the city of New Orleans in good faith, may be sold at market prices, by the proprietors or their factors, for legal currency of the United States, without restriction or confiscation. Planters will find it for their interest to forward their crops to New Orleans, rather than to dispose of them on the plantations.
8. Plantation supplies and other articles not contraband of war, necessary to the working of estates, or to the support of loyal persons, may be purchased in open market by planters or agents, in quantities not inconsistent with the interests and safety of the government, for consumption within the lines of the army, upon the approval and order of the commission herein named. This privilege is accorded to well disposed persons as a measure of relief. Its execution will be closely scrutinized, and its abuse will be summarily punished with the most rigorous severity known to military law. Officers of the army are directed, and naval and civil officers are requested, to assist in enforcing the faithful observance of this order.