 However, Southern sympathizers did not draw attention to the sermon's second half, which started with a condemnation of the slave trade (consistent with Pope Gregory XVI's decree of 1839, and called for legal revisions to protect the rights of free Negroes, allow slaves freedom to choose marriage partners (and marry), and require masters to treat their slaves with justice, fairness and morality and particularly to provide them adequate food, clothing and shelter and the means to know and practice their religion.During the war, the bishop also condemned Union troops which looted the church at Amelia Island, and managed to evacuate personally several Sisters of Mercy from Jacksonville to Savannah through both opposing armies.After the war, Verot published a pastoral letter urging his people to "put away all prejudice ...against their former servants", advocated a national coordinator for evangelization among blacks, and brought in French sisters from LePuy to work with them (while acknowledging the resulting language problems).