...unarmed persons," McClellan said, "should be strictly protected. . . . Military power should not be allowed to interfere with the relations of servitude,...authority of the master, except for repressing disorder. . . ." To be sure, slaves defined as contraband by act of Congress and seeking protection should be...

...Lincoln missed the full connotations of private property, McClellan added, "Military power should not be allowed to interfere with the relations of servitude,...supporting or impairing the authority of the master." Lastly, emancipation was out of the question. The government was perfectly entitled to seize slaves...

...to exist." The general expressed his support for military enforcement of the First Confiscation Act: "Slaves contraband under the Act of Congress, seeking military protection, should receive it." Although he opposed "forcible abolition of slavery," McClellan then conceded that military necessity...

...the preservation of public order and the protection of political rights. Military power should not be allowed to interfere with the relations of servitude,...cases. Slaves, contraband under the act of Congress, socking military protection, should receive it. The right of the Government to appropriate permanently...