The National Republican, DC US
HOW THE LAWS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED.
The annexed letter is one of innumerable pieces of testimony to the existence of' practices in the army which rendered it the imperative duty of the President to announce to our generals In the field, what the laws of the country are in respect to slaves, as affected by the war. So far as that point of the President's proclamation of September 22, is concerned, it was not issued a day too soon:
Correspondence of the N. Y. Tribune
STEAMER GLADIATOR,
Trip from Helena to Memphis,

October 1, 1862.
Since General Steele has assumed command a new policy baa been adopted toward the negroes now within our lines, and that of General Curtis has been entirely set aside. Even the free papers which General Curtis had granted have been annulled, and declared as no more than blank paper, and slave claimants are permitted, by military order, to search the camps for their slaves, and on pointing them out the slaves have been seized, placed in wagons, and carried beyond the lines, in the direction indicated by the slaveholder and in his company, by a military guard at the order of General Steele.
Only a few days ago a woman was dragged out or the camp of the Second Wisconsin cavalry, at the instance of a slaveholder, and delivered up to him, at the order of the new Military Governor of Arkansas, John S. Phelps, of Missouri, who, In this matter, acts in co-operation with Gen. Steele. It is said that Gen. C.E. Hovey (recently made a Brigadier General) indorses this policy, and that his counsels are listened to by Gen. Steele with much favor. Gen. Hovey was an anti-slavery man In Illinois, and Colonel of the Normal regiment, Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, but in linking his fortunes with Gen. Steele in this matter he has switched off of the old Republican track and placed himself in opposition to the policy of the Government at Washington, and the expressed will of the nation in the confiscation act.
These gentlemen are, of course, fully aware that they are violating the law of Congress both in the letter and the spirit. These colored people, now within our lines, are declared “absolutely and forever free of their servitude," and, it is added, "shall not again be held as slaves.” And further than this it is declared that "no person engaged in the naval or military service of the United States shall, under any pretences whatever, assume to decide the validity of the claim of any person to the service or labor of any other person, or surrender up any such person to the claimant, on pain of being dismissed from the service."
General Washburne had established an Aethiopian camp for the women and children of men engaged at work on the fortifications, and provided them with rations: but his course is understood to be disapproved by Gen. Steele , who has inaugurated this policy of sending all the women and children back to their master, whether loyalist or rebels. Rebel civilians have already been allowed and aided (?) their slaves, and this course is to be practiced till all of this class are disposed of.
As this place is being fortified, and (?) held as a military post, there is, of course, (?) plea of military necessity for this proceeding. Many of the women within our lines are (?) as useful as cooks and laundresses, as (?) are as laborers on the fortifications, (?) as teamsters, and to thrust them back (?) very, and keep their husbands, because they are regarded as more useful to the army, is reaching the climax of selfishness and inhumanity.