when, in military phrase, "they are within the enemy's country," should
in an orderly manner seize and use whatever of real or personal property
may be necessary or convenient for their commands, at the same time
preserving in some way the evidence of what they do.

What I have said in regard to slaves while commenting on the first and
second sections is applicable to the ninth, with the difference that no
provision is made in the whole act for determining whether a particular
individual slave does or does not fall within the classes defined in
that section. He is to be free upon certain conditions, but whether
those conditions do or do not pertain to him no mode of ascertaining is
provided. This could be easily supplied.

To the tenth section I make no objection. The oath therein required
seems to be proper, and the remainder of the section is substantially
identical with a law already existing.

The eleventh section simply assumes to confer discretionary powers upon
the Executive. Without the law I have no hesitation to go as far in the
direction indicated as I may at any time deem expedient. And I am ready
to say now, I think it is proper for our military commanders to employ
as laborers as many persons of African descent as can be used to
advantage.

The twelfth and thirteenth sections are somewhat better than
objectionable, and the fourteenth is entirely proper if all other parts
of the act shall stand.

That to which I chiefly object pervades most parts of the act, but more
distinctly appears in the first, second, seventh, and eighth sections.