[Bull Snipe]

So the Government has no right to seize a Confederate cannon, or a Confederate rifle, because it is not specifically listed in the powers of the Federal Government to do so in time of war. A slave was more value to the Confederate Government’s war effort than a Confederate cannon or rifle.

[DiogenesLamp]

So the Government has no right to seize a Confederate cannon, or a Confederate rifle, because it is not specifically listed in the powers of the Federal Government to do so in time of war. A slave was more value to the Confederate Government’s war effort than a Confederate cannon or rifle.

I've already said that slaves seized during the war have at least a reasonable argument to be made justifying it, but how many slaves were seized during the war, and how many after?

How do you legally justify any such actions after the war?