1864
Report to the Western Sanitary Commission in
Regard to Leasing Abandoned Plantations, with
Rales and regulations governing the same.
3y
James E. Yeatman
V
3
<yo
(U
REPORT
TO THE
(i('Ifstem Jianitao Commission,
IN REGARD TO
LEASING ABANDONED PLANTATIONS,
WITH
RULES AIM) REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE SAME,
BY
JAMES E_ "Y E ATM A1ST,
President Western Sanitary Commission.
ST. LOUIS:
WESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION ROOMS, NO. 10 NORTH OTH ST.
1864
Library of
Emory University
REPORT
TO THE
estein ^anitarg Commission,
IN REGARD TO
LEASING ABANDONED PLANTATIONS,
WITH
RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE SAME,
BY
JAMES E . ITE ATMAN,
President Western Sanitary Commission.
ST. LOUIS:
WESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION ROOMS, NO. 10 NORTH 5TH ST.
1864:
REPORT.
St. Louis, February 10th, 1864.
To the Western Sanitary Commission :
Gentlemen :
In compliance with your instructions, I proceeded to
Washington City and submitted report and suggestions in
regard to leasing abandoned plantations, and the employ¬
ment of Freedmen on same, to the Secretary of the Trea¬
sury, to whom the care of abandoned property has been
transferred. I met with a kind and prompt reception from
the Secretary, who, after a careful examination, ill conjunc¬
tion with lion. T. D. Eliot, chairman of the House Commit¬
tee on Emancipation, adopted the suggestions, and requested
that I would proceed to Cincinnati and join Mr. Wm. P.
Mellen, Supervising Agent of the Treasury for the district
in which these plantations were located, and aid in putting
the suggestions, so far as practicable, into operation. Re¬
garding it as a matter of importance, I left hy the first train
for Cincinnati, where I found Air. Mellen. who, I was grati¬
fied to find, was a man eminently qualified, both by head
and heart, to take charge of the work entrusted to him.
We proceeded at once to Memphis, where we prepared a
lease, and the necessary contracts, with rules and regula¬
tions, copies of which are annexed. The same were sub¬
mitted to practical men, whose suggestions were received
and freely discussed. That the system adopted is perfect I
do not pretend to say, but it is an advance in the right di-
4
rection and the rights of the Freedman are considered, as
well as those of the lessee, and the endeavor has been to do
justice to both; time and experience of another year will
develop such changes as may be required.
The lessees were necessarily disappointed, having been
led to believe tbat they could employ laborers at the old
wages, seven dollars for men and five dollars for women of
every age and capacity. There were those who stated that
plantations could not be leased, if they had to pay the min¬
imum wages required, say for men graded No. 1, $25 00;
No. 2, $20 00 ; No. 3, $15 00; women of the same grades,
$18 00, $14 00, and $15 00; but notwithstanding, when
the time for leasing come, there were none that held back
on this account.
The Freedmcn, or such of them as I had opportunity to
communicate with, were well satisfied with the plan pro¬
posed, and say that they will labor freely, and that they can
support themselves and families at the prices named. My
only fear is that we have named too low prices for labor,
but as the present high prices for cotton cannot be expected
to continue, it is perhaps as well to commence at wages
whicli will not be too high when the price of cotton is re¬
duced to 15 cts. or 20 cts., or even lower. In fact, these
wages are no higher than was paid for the hire of slaves
when cotton was worth but 10 cts., including food and
clothing.
Ample provision is made for such Freedmen as desired to
lease ground for themselves. Such as did it last year were em¬
inently successful. I annex a statement of a few account
sales of cotton grown by the colored lessees—the sales do
not by any means include all grown by them, beside there
aic many others who leased plantations, or parts of planta¬
tions, for which no returns had been rendered.
5
Cotton grown and slapped from Goodrich's Lanamg, raised by
colored men, who leased ground and worked same on their own
account:
Bales,
Solomon Johnson 7
Samuel Howard 47
Win. Goodin 3.
Henry Johnson 6
Wm. Gibson and Forst 5
Geo. Washington 4.
York Hardin and J. Hardin 4
Thomas Taylor 1
Arc by Stewart 5
Sam'l Tousey and Son 4
Peter Boyes 2
88
Bales.
Edward Maxwell 28
Contraband 12
Tom Taylor 4
Moses Wright 6
Clias. Bowman 2
Nat Brooks 1
Alex. Hamilton 1
James Fisher 1
Lewis Jackson 4
Richard Walker 1
Lewis White and Charles 5
65
88
153
Bales. Bales Sold. Netting.
Silas Stepheny 27 6 $1,401 35
Robert Cookley 7 3 790 43
York Horton 2 2 504 84
Sanclio Lynch 75 29 6,897 43
Henry Harris 31 9 2,251 69
Sol Richardson 10 7 1,642 13
152 56 $13,487 87
Bales. Bales Sold. Netting.
Luke Johnson 11 9 $2,061 18
Richard Walker 5 5 1,247 60
Ben Mingo 14 2 580 61
Wm. Goodin 4 4 1,023 94
L.White 28 25 5,838 60
62 45 $10,751 93
152 56
153
— , 101 sold.
Whole number of bales raised 317 6
Net proceeds of 56 bales sold $13,487 87
" 45 " " 10,751 93
101 " " $24,239 /0
Average of 276 " at $240 66,240 00
3f7 $90,479 70
6
6
Agencies for leasing were established at Helena, Skipwith's
Landing, Vioksburg, and Natches.
Helena District extends from the mouth of the St. Francis
river and opposite to the mouth of the Arkansas river, on
both shores of the Mississippi. T. C. Calicot, Agent.
Skipwith's Landing District extends from the mouth of the
Arkansas, and opposite to the south line of Carroll Parish,
on the Louisiana side, and on the north line of Issaquina
county, in Mississippi. A. McFarland, Agent.
The Yicksburg District extends from the south line of
Carroll Parish, and north line of Issaquina county, to
Grand Gulf, and opposite. C. A. Montross, Agent.
The Natches District extends from Grand Gulf to the
mouth of Red river, and opposite. Wm. Burnett, Agent.
Persons wishing information, or desiring to lease lands
within these districts, should apply in person to the agents
located at the respective points mentioned above. Applica¬
tions are made by persons desiring to lease for specific plan¬
tations, stating location, by whom owned, whether abandoned
wholly or partially, number of acres of cleared land, &c.
The agents, as yet, have no plats or registry of lands,
other than such as is obtained from those applying. Over
six hundred applications have been made for plantations,
and parts of plantations, embracing over 400,000 acres of
land. Many awards had been made, and others were being
made. Where there were more applicants than one for a
plantation, parties were notified to appear, and a public
leasing was had, and the award made to the highest bidder.
I was present, in Yickburg, at one of those public lettings,
where the prices ranged from 1-10 to 8^ cents per pound
above the Government rates of leasing, which is 2 cents per
pound on all cotton grown on abandoned plantations.
What is now required to insure the perfect success of
working the abandoned plantations along the Mississippi,
is adequate protection from the Rebel raids ; the Rebel au¬
thorities have determined to prevent the growing of cotton
7
at all hazards; already Guerrilla parties have commenced
their depredations, frightening lessees, and the Freedmen. In
several instances cotton gins have been burnt, and a few
negroes carried off', and some outrageous cruelties reported to
have been practiced. The removal of all troops from seve¬
ral localities around which lessees had clustered, and Freed-
men's camps had been formed, has contributed to heighten
the alarm, and to seriously prejudice the whole system.
Important military movements necessitated this, and it is im¬
portant that all other interests should yield to military
operations ; the crushing out of this Rebellion is paramount
to every thing else. The movements, however, are such as
will eventuate in more adequate protection to the planting
districts, but the lessees and laborers cannot see and under¬
stand this—they must have something immediate and tangi¬
ble. The subject was brought before General Sherman,
and the Maine Brigade was asked for, which was promptly
granted. It will be necessary to increase the number of
men now connected with it, which, with the present Colored
Invalid Corps increased to five regiments, will afford all the
protection which is required for the planting interests within
the districts described, and also protect the commerce of the
Mississippi, whiqh is no less important.
Mr. Mellen is now in Washington for the purpose of
bringing the subject of adequate protection before the Gov¬
ernment, and with the facts which can be presented I doubt
not will be acceeded to.
Under the present system all who employ labor, whether
owners or lessees, are required to contribute one cent per
pound on all cotton grown, which is to be applied for the
maintenance and benefit of the aged and infirm freed peo¬
ple and motherless children, and the establishment of schools.
If the quantity of land applied for should be cultivated, it
will yield an'income of from $1,200,000 to $1,500,000 per
annum to be applied to purposes above mentioned, a sum
more than sufficient. Those who labor will support them-
8
selves. Schools can and will be established on every plan-
tation leased where there are children sufficient to justify.
Teachers are now being supplied by the various missionary
and other educational associations; others if required will
be raised and supported out of the fund raised by the one
cent contribution. A blessed day will it be when this oc¬
curs. The year of jubilee will indeed have come.
The quantity of land applied for will more than employ
all the laborers now under our jurisdiction, but those most
conversant with the condition of things at the South say
that there will be no difficulty on the score of laborers, that
thousands will flock in the moment they hear that there is
work for them at fair wages. They have a dread of the
Freedmen's Camp, in which so many have suffered and died.
Freedmen's Homes have been located and decided on at
or near Helena, Natchez, Skipwith's Landing, Milliken's
Bend, Goodrich's Landing and Davis' Bend, but too late to
gather in the laborers as proposed in time to hire them this
year. So laborers will be supplied from present camps, and
lessees allowed to gather them up as they best can, and as
they come into our lines. All, however, employing laborers
will be at the prices and' under the rules established.
There are but few men among the laborers, most of them
having been carried far into the interior of drafted into the
service, so that lessees will have to rely mainly upon the
labor of women, unless the Government should establish
non-interference by the military with such men as should
come in to labor on the plantations. The fear of being
drafted into the army is preventing thousands from coming
in. Of course all who wish to enlist should be permitted to
do so, but not forced against their wills. I trust such a
policy will be adopted, as it will give us thousands of laborers
for the production of cotton which would otherwise be ex¬
cluded.
Many planters are taking possession of and working their
own plantations under the system adopted by the Govern-
9
ment. All that is now required is protection—protection
against the rebels, and protection against our enlisting offi¬
cers, who seize upon any able-bodied men that come into
our lines, and force them into the ranks as soldiers. If left
to themselves, I doubt not that large numbers would volun¬
tarily enter the service; but the course pursued is not only
manifestly unjust, but calculated to frighten and keep off
thousands who would flock into our lines, and resume their
occupation as tillers of the soil, and give us that which the
nation stands so much in need of, our armies in the field as
well as their wives and families at home—a cheap fabric for
clothing.
By a judicious fostering of the system of labor proposed,
it will not only relieve the Government of the charge of
many thousands of these people, who they are now feeding
and maintaining in idleness, and who must if so continued
sink into a deeper state of degradation and vice than they
were as slaves. With protection, such as is asked for, all will
find employment at fair wages, and will be able fully to sup¬
port themselves, besides putting millions into the treasury
in the way of rental, and tax, and duties on cotton. If the
number of acres as applied for are planted and the product
derived from it as anticipated, a revenue of not less than
eight millions may be calculated on. Besides, the country
which is now laid waste and desolate will be made to blos¬
som once more as the rose, and yield a rich return to those
who are willing to risk something to aid in bringing about
these results. But pecuniary gain should be secondary to
the good which is to be done to these poor down-trodden
people. It will elevate them in the scale of civilization and
prepare them to enjoy the rich boon of Freedom which has
recently been granted to them.
JAMES E. YE ATM AN.
This Agreement, made this day of 1864, by and
betweeu the United States of America, by "William P. Mel-
len, Supervising Special Agent of the Treasury Department,
in the first Agency, and in the State of
Witnrsseth, That in pursuance of instructions from the
Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, and of
orders from the Secretary of War, concerning the leasing of
abandoned houses, tenements and lands in States declared
in insurrection, the said Agent for in behalf of the United
States, agrees, upon the terms hereinafter contained, to lease to
the said from the date hereof to the first day of January,
1865, the following described lands and premises, viz :
The said having taken and filed the prescribed oath
hereunto annexed, hereby agrees to pay to the said Agent,
as rent for the above described lands and premises
cents per pound on all cotton, and a proportionate sum upon
all other products raised by him, which payment shall be
made as provided for, and in pursuance of the Eules and
liegulations lor leasing Abandoned Plantations, and employ¬
ing Freedmen, hereunto annexed: and in all cases where
freed labor is employed, the said further agrees to
contribute or pay to the said Agent the sum of one cent per
pound on all cotton, and a proportionate sum on all other
products grown on said premises, for the purposes set forth,
in Section V of said Eules and Eegulations.
And the said further agrees that, during the con¬
tinuance of this lease, he will keep employed one No. 1 man,
or the equivalent thereto in men, women or children, as
classified in said Eules, for each twelve acres of tillable land
occupied by him under this lease, it being hereby agreed
that said premises contain acres, and require No.
1 hands, or other equivalent in other grades.
And the said Lessee further agrees to furnish to the per¬
sons so employed, suitable tenements, with separate quarters
for families who may desire the same ; and that to each
family of four or more persons he will set apart for their
sole use and benefit not less than one acre of ground suita¬
ble for garden purposes, and fuel sufficient for the use and
11
comfort of each family, all of which shall be without charge
to such persons or the Government.
Said Lessee hefeby further agrees that no freed person
shall be employed on the said premises, except under con¬
tracts made with such person; and no contract for freed
labor shall be valid without the sanction of the Superinten¬
dent of the Freedman's Home Farm, who shall in each case
designate the proportion of each grade or sex to be em¬
ployed.
Said Lessee further agrees to pay each freed person so
employed according to the terms set out and established in
Section X of the said Pules and llegulations.
Said Lessee further agrees to pay at least one-half' the
amount of the monthly wages during each and ever}' month,
said payment to be in cash, food, clothing, or other neces¬
saries, at the option of the laborer; all food, clothing, or
other articles so furnished to be of good quality, and not to
be charged at more than 15 per cent, advanee on wholesale
invoice|prices at St. Louis, Chicago, Cincinnati, or Louisville,
or New Orleans for southern products purchased there.
It is further agreed that the parties of this contract shall
be subject to the observance of the rules and regulations
hereto subjoined.
Signed, sealed, and delived in presence of—
: [l. s.i
^ ^
State of )
County of \ ss'
I do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and
allegiance to the Constitution and Government of the United
States, any law, constitution or ordinance of any State to
the contrary notwithstanding ; that I have no part, and will
take no part in the existing rebellion against the Govern¬
ment of the United States, and will in no way give aid, com¬
fort or countenance to any person engaged therein; that I
will obey and observe all laws of Congress touching slaves
and the condition of slavery, and all Proclamations of the
President of the United States relating to the same subject,
and that I will do what in me lies to induce all others with¬
in the circle of my influence to do the same.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this )
day of. 186 )
Rule? and Regulations for Leasing Abandoned Plan¬
tations and Employing Freedmen.
I. Said plantations, or such portions thereof as may be
required, will be leased to good and loyal citizens, who have
taken the oath subjoined to the foregoing contract.
II. Preference will be given to those wishing small tracts
of land.
III. No lessee will be allowed to lease more than one
abandoned plantation, and all shall be obliged to furnish
satisfactory* evidence of ability to stock and cultivate the
quantity of land applied for.
IY. Owners of plantations who have taken the prescribed
oath may occupy the same, and no charge will be made,
except in cases where they employ the labor of freedmen,
when payment of one cent per pound will be charged on all
cotton grown by them, and a proportionate charge upon all
other products of their labor, which will be applied to the
support of aged, infirm, and helpless freed people, and for
sanitary and educational purposes.
Y. On all lands the lessee shall pay a rent of one cent per
pound on all cotton, and a proportional charge upon other
products grown by him, and in all cases where freed labor
is employed, the lessee shall, in addition to the stipulated
rents, contribute one cent per pound on all cotton grown by
him, and a proportionate sum upon all other products of
their labor, to the fund for the support of helpless and aged
freed people, for education and other purposes connected
therewith.
YI. Freedman's Home Farms shall be established at con¬
venient locations, which shall be under a superintendent
appointed for the purpose, and shall be places—
First, Where all freed persons of the respective districts
in which they are located, shall be registered and employed,
until engaged or hired by other employers.
Second, As homes for the aged and infirm freedmen, and
motherless children unable to perform labor.
13
VII. Planters, farmers, and other employers requiring
laborers, shall make application to the Superintendent of the
Freedmen's Home Farms, who will furnish such as may be
required. Persons employing fathers or mothers, must take
with them such children or near relatives as may be depen¬
dent upon them, and desire to go.
VIII. All freed persons over the age of twelve years, who
are capable of performing labor, will be required to work.
IX. All laborers shall be classified by the Superintendent
as follows ; 1. Sound persons from twenty to forty years of
age, inclusive, shall be called No. 1 hands. 2. From fifteen
to nineteen inclusive, and from forty-one to fifty, inclusive,
shall be called No. 2 hands. 3. From twelve to fourteen,
inclusive, and over fifty, No. 3 hands. Persons suffering
from any physical defect or infirmity, shall be classified by
the Superintendent, and wages for them designated.
X. Application for hands shall be made to Superinten¬
dents, with certificate or copy of contract showing number
of acres leased and hands required. One No. 1 hand, or the
equivalent in other grades of hands, shall be employed for
every twelve acres of tillable land. The Superintendent to
designate the proportionate numbers and grades of each sex
to be selected, and the wages of No. 1 males shall be $25
per month; No. 2, $20; No. 3, $15. Nos. 1, 2, and 3
females, $18, $14, and $10.
In case any person employing freed persons to labor on
plantation, shall wish to give any of those employed an in¬
terest in the profits resulting from the working the same, in
lieu of the regular wages above specified, and such persons
shall desire to make a contract with the employer for a stip¬
ulated portion of such profits in lieu of other wages, it may
be done: Provided, however, that all such contracts shall
be approved by the Superintendent of the Freedman's Home
Farm, at which they are employed, or nearest which they
may be located, and also by the Agent of the District, and
that one cent per pound on all cotton raised, and a propor¬
tionate amount upon other products, shall be contributed for
the support of the helpless, as provided in case of stipula¬
ted wages, and also that all necessary supplies for the em¬
ployed shall be furnished to them by the employer, upon
the same terms, and subject to the same conditions as in
cases of payment of the regular wages above provided for.
XI. When lessees wanting laborers shall have made their
selections, lists shall be prepared, and the employer and
1-4
employee shall each sign a contract in duplicate in presence
of a witness, one copy of which shall be retained and filed
by the Superintendent.
XII. At the end of the year or period of time for which
such contract shall be made, the lessee shall return the hands
to the Farm from which they were taken, or account for
them, and a full settlement shall then be made, he paying to
his hands in cash such balance as may be due; and no cotton
shall be sold or shipped without previous written permit of
the Special Agent of the District, or the certificate of the
Superintendent of the Farm from which they were hired,
that wages have been fully paid.
XIII. Lessees shall provide, without charge, good and
sufficient quarters for laborers employed, a separate tenement
for each family, with proper regard for sanitary conditions,
a sufficient supply of food, one acre of ground to each family
of four or more persons, and also to others requiring it, in
same proportion.
XIV". The lessee shall provide and keep on hand a suffi¬
cient supply of wholesome food, and suitable clothing for
the employees and their families, which shall be sold to the
laborers at the wholesale cost price, and fifteen per cent,
thereon, keeping an account of the items with each laborer,
which account shall be settled and approved by the Superin¬
tendent at the close of the year, at which time the balance
due shall be paid. All accounts and invoices shall be open
to inspection of the Superintendent and to the Special Agent
of the District at all proper times.
XY. Laborers to be paid for full time unless they shall be
sick, or voluntarily neglect to work. In cases of such sick¬
ness or neglect, the employer may report it to the Farm
Superintendent within ten days after the end of the month,
who, upon being satisfied of such sickness or neglect, shall
endorse the proper deduction therefor upon the contract. In
case a person fails to labor as contemplated by the contract,
the Superintendent upon being satisfied of the fact, shall re¬
ceive him or her back at the Farm, and cancel the contract,
upon payment by the employer of the amount properly due.
Should a hand quit voluntarily, without consent of lessee,
before the end of the term, the balance of wages to be for¬
feited, half to the employer, and half to the Government.
XYI. Where the lessee fails to furnish a proper supply of
food or clothing, or does not furnish proper quarters, or
overtasks his laborers, or otherwise abuses them, or violates
15
his agreement, they shall have the right to appeal to the Su¬
perintendent, who may have the same corrected, by declar¬
ing the contract forfeited, and taking possession of the land,
or by releasing the employees from their contract, in which
latter case the lessee shall be required to pay all wages due,
and shall be held responsible for half wages until other em¬
ployment for the released employees can be obtained.
XVII. There shall be employment provided on the Freed-
man's Home Farms, for all who are able to work, for which
no wages shall be paid ; food and clothing being considered
as an equivalent therefor; the labor performed being for the
benefit of the occupants of the Farm, and the general good.
The Superintendent may establish such rules for police and
other purposes, as may be proper in conducting the Farm,
and governing the persons connected therewith.
XVIII. Lessees shall only be required to pay half the
monthly wages, either in money, provisions, or clothing,
until the crops are sold. The first lien upon the crops shall
be for the wages of the laborer, and provision will be made
by the Superintendent, to secure the prompt payment of
same.
XIX. The Supervising Agent, or such officer as shall be
designated by him for that purpose, will from time to time
examine invoices and accounts of lessees, and see that the
rules are complied with.
XX. The use of the lash, paddle, and all other cruel modes
of punishment shall not be permitted or inflicted by lessees,
or any one in their employment, upon the persons of any of
the employees or their families.
XXI. Schools will be established in convenient localities,
and all children between the ages of six and twelve years
shall be required to attend them.
XXII. Persons desiring to employ mechanics, wood-chop¬
pers, or other laborers, must apply to the Superintendent of
the Freedman's Home Farm, and all contracts for such labor
shall be subject to his approval.
XXIII. All persons living together as husband and wife
shall be legally married ; they shall assume a family name,
and Registers of marriages, births, and deaths shall be kept
by the Superintendents, to whom the same shall be reported
by the employers. And also the names and location of all
employers, together with the names of the persons employed
by them, and of those living with them.
XXIV. All persons taking leases, either by bid at a pub-
16
lie letting, or without competition, will be required to work
the hands awarded to them under their own supervision or
that of a substitute accepted by the proper Assistant Special
Agent or Superintendent of a Freedman's Home Farm, and
no transfer will be permitted or recognized in which an as¬
signee shall pay, or agree to pay, a bonus.
WM. P. MELLEN,
Supervising Special Agent, First Agency.
This Contract, made this day of , 186 , be¬
tween , employer, and ,
, freed laborers.
Witxesseth : That said agrees to employ
said laborers on his from the day of ,
1864, to the day of , 186 , on the terms pre¬
scribed in the code of Rules and Regulations for leasing
abandoned property, and hiring freed men; and the said
laborers agree to be diligent and faithful hands while in his
employ ; it being understood and agreed that this Contract
is subject to the provisions of said code, by which all parties
hereto agree to be governed.
In presence of—
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