^•1°^ .^^ ■'^^^^. > "V. .^^ r ■^ -r O ^0 -^ ^o rf ^..y^ ■ • V * » " ° e' .^ 4 O Y<\ 4f _ O /% ^ .-{> 1^ ^ » (^, V 'i--. -^. -A ► (5 ' ■^^ •■ . . * . \ s • • - O M O :.'.. % V^ ' » • • '^^• % V •.';;' ■-' 1/ -.1- 'vT' 0^ r* Sft • c 0^ '^ ,^'^ .''•'" ^^^ ^.'. v./ /^fe\ ^-^..^^ :'^i£\ v./ /^fe\ ^^ >p'^^ :^A^. % ,<.^ •^^V>' ^MM^n:. '-^.^^ oV'^^»"'>' '^'^C^ --'^^M^^r^. ^^^nH \> V :^ ^M#- ,^?-. FACTS ■CONOKRNING-- THE FREEDMEN. THEIR CAPACITY AND THEIR DESTINY. COLLECTED AND PUBLISHED ■BY- THE EMANCIPATION LEAGUE. BOSTON: PRESS OF COMMERCIAL PRINTING HOUSE, 36 KILBY STREET, 1863. .t5-5 2FEIS05 \ V /^ ^-^-^^ C: ■ U '■o o LET THERE BE LIGHT. " IMPOETANT FACTS CONCERNING THE NEGRO. The following letters have been received in reply to a circular sent to those who have charge of negroes within our military lines in the South. We give the letter own language. which was sent, and Read and ponder. I. Circular of the Committee, At a recent meeting of the Emancipation undersigned the statements returned, in their L«eague, the undersigned were appointed a Committee to take measures to procure from the superintendents of " contrabands," and others, information bearing upon the cjuestion of the capacities of the colored men of the South. It is proposed to use this informa- tion in the best way to bear upon the problem as to what is to be the status of the negro after the llebellion is suppressed. Among the agencies to be employed in securing a fair so- lution of this problem, we hope to be able to induce the authorities at Washington to estab- lish a Department or Bureau of Emancipa- 'tion. For this purpose, as well for any other purpose connected with the solution of this great problem of ^le birth of a people, we want facts. Will you have the kindness to answer, as fully as is possiple, as many of the following questions as you can ? 1. What is the number of freedmen (" con- trabands '")in your department? Men above 15 ? Women above 15 ? Children under 15 ? 2. Are they willing to work ? Do they save their earnings ? What are their habits as to profanity ? intemperance ? chastity ? 3. Do they desire to go North ? In tlie event of general emancipation, and fair treat- ment at home, would there, in your judg- ment, be any disposition to go Xorth ? Would this disposition be increased or di- minished by emancipa^tion ? 4. What are the facts as to their capacity and desire to learn ? How many could read when they first came within our lines ? How many can read now ? How does their capacity to learn compare —what with that of others in similar Ignorance, and slaves? 6. Have you found any disposition to re- venge upon their masters, — to " cut their masters' throats " ? 1^. How many have been employed by the Government ? At what wages ? What wages has tlie Government paid white laborers for the same services ? Have the wages of the freedmen been reg- ularly paid ? If not, how much is now due to them in your department ? How much would be due to them if their wages had been the same as those of white laborers for similar work ? Taking in the whole history of your de- partment, have or have not the freedmen who have come into our lines earned enough, at fair wages, to support all who have come? 8. What has been their treatment by mili- tary officials or subordinates ? Howfar has this treatment operated to en- courage or discourage Industrv, economy, and thrift ? If they could receive fair play, would or would not those able and willing to work, earn enough to support the whole ? In your judgment, are the freemen in your department fit to take their place in society, as a laboring class, with a fair prospect of self-support and progress ? or do they need any preparatory training and guardianship ? If so, of what nature and to what extent? And Avould they need any difi'erent training and guardianship from what other men, equal- ly ignorant, would need, to take their place in the community ? In the event of the reconstruction of South- ern society on the basis of free labor, how would they compare, incapacity lor progress, with the " poor whites ", of the South, who have come within your observation ? Please add any other facts or suggestions pertinent to the consideration of the question, shall be done with the emancipated with the same means of education ? 5. To what extent is the religious elemen developed ? What have you found to be their disposi- tion as to docility, subordination, and kin- dred virtues ? Your obedient servants, F. W. BiKD, J. H. Stephexsox, S. G. Howe, M. D. Conway, Eekjamix H. West, 1 > Committee. II. From Beaufort, S. C. Beaufort, Jan. G, 18G3. Dear Sir : General Saxton has handed ine a circular letter lately received by him from the "Eman- cipation League." As he is too much occupied to hv able to answer the letter himself, he has directed me to answer it for him. General Saxton estimates the number of contrabands in "the Department of the South," at about 18,000. In the State of South Carolina alone there are now within our lines not less than twelve thousand con- trabands. The number at Key West, Saint Augustine, Fernandina and other points in Florida is about six thousand, according to the best estimates we can now make. Statistics carefully gathered about the first of May, 1862, show that out of a population of 9050, on the plantations of South Carolina then within our lines, 3619 were children too young to be classed as field hands. I am not able to answer your first question more fully. In answer to your second question, I will say, that after having lived on the plantations for nearly eight months, with good opportu- nities for observing the conduct of the ne- groes as free laborers, it is my personal con- viction that the negroes in this Department, almost without exception, would readily be- come industrious and productive laborers un- der any liberal system which should offer a fair and reasonably certain compensation, proportioned to the work actually done. Con- sidering that a reasonable certainty of enjoy- ing a fair harvest, is the only natural in- ducement, other than that of absolute neces- sity, for any man to work, I think that the negroes in this Department have so far shown as much willingness to work, as white men would have under the same circumstances. Although the negroes here are very ready to spend their n>oney for clothing and the ordi- nary comforts of life, and although many of the women are fond of lioop-sivirts and jewel- ry, 1 do not think that a disinterested witness would say that the negroes form a marked exception in these matters to the rest of hu- manity. As regards profanity and lntem))erance, I tliink the negroes, except where they have learned l)ad hal)its from our soldiers, are a marked exception to the human family gener- ally. I believe however, that if ably man- aged dram-shops should be established at suitable points on these islands tlu; negroes would soon ac(piire the habit of intemperance, v and tluis all distinctions of race in this re- »p(;ct would be swept away. As to chastity, it is my own opinion, formed entirely since 1 eume to Port Royal, that al- though slavery made them in a great measure regardless of the ceremony of marriage, it did their biiih-right iidelitv btween of man not wholly take away modesty, or the idea of and wife. In answer to your third question I would say, that except in rare Instances, there is no disposition to go North. As long as life can be made even tolerable to them in the South, they prefer to stay in their old homes. The desire to learn Is almost universal. Their desire Is so great that they learn very quickly, — the teachers all say as quickly as white children. Few could read when they came within our lines : now many can read. I cannot answer this question more fully. The religious element in their nature shows itself In faith, rather than in practice. They are more pious than moral. Their condition as slaves was undoubtedly favorable to such a developement of the religious element, and the style of religious teaching which was prev- alent in the South did not stand In the way. Freedom and the "pernicious doctrines " of liberal Christianity, will, I believe, develops the moral element. Their want of morality appears chiefly in the common habit of lying and stealing. I came to this Department without any knowledge of the negro character, prepared to meet a race of savages not only thii'sting for " the horrors of a servile insurrection," but quite readyto tear me limb from limb unless I could succeed in making myself agreeable to them. I have since found them as a very general rule gentle and ready to obey reason- able orders — almost too gentle in many cases to stand up for their own rights. I have very seldom seen any disposition to revenge upon their masters. I believe that nearly all the able-bodied persons, both male and female, have been employed to a greater or less extent, by the' Government or Its officers during the past, eight months. The agricultural opei-atlons carried on at first by Mr. Pierce, and then under Gen. Saxton, gave employment to be- tween four and five thousand laborers. Of the other able bodied persons within our lines there are probably very few who have not been employed to some extent either in the Quartermaster's or Commissary's department or as private servants to officers and civil- ians. Although there is good demand for la- bor, it is not a very steady demand. The laborers often lose much time in the inter- vals between one job and another. The quartermaster's department pays to common laborers five dollars per month, be- sides giving each laborer a soldier's ration ; to mechanics eight dollars per month, besides the ration. The verij best mechanics get as high as twelve or fifteen dollai-s per montli. The Government has undoubtedly got a great amount of work done by the negroes at a very moderate cost, and yet I do not think that the negroes have much desire or reason to complain, except in cases where they have This is the universal testimony of nearly all suffered loss of wages or great delay in pay- employers. ment through the "S^" ^' to' negligence or dishonesty of other euii^loyees of the Government Those employed in agricultural labors on the plantations have not been paid by the month. Labor on the plantations was not started with a view to profit for the Govern- ment, but for the purpose of making £(, large population industrious and self-supporting. Very low have any earnings to save. Many who have no families and can get pay only in part, are saving money or depositing it for safety and future use. Very few drink, or are profane. It is almost universally reported by the enemies of this people, and repeated by thousands who believe it, that they are very unchaste. This does not seem an unreason- When the products of this year is sold, and able conclusion, considering the teachings and the account is closed with the laborers, they will have received all they have fairly earned. The Government has probably paid the wages of the freedmen as regularly as that of its other employees at this time. Delay in payment is often caused by the negligence of subordinate officers. Where the Government has been obliged to support destitute " contrabands " it has issued only such portions of the army ration as were absolutely necessary to support life. No fair- minded man acquainted with the facts of the case, would say that the " contrabands " in this Department have so far been " a great burden " to such a Government as ours. Fi'om very many officers of all grades, as well as from very many privates, the negroes have received kind treatment. From many other officers and privates they have received abuse and injustice. Such treatment has had its natural effect. In my judgment, equal laws faitlifully ad- ministered M-^ould enable the negroes to take their place in society, as a laboring class, with a fair prospect of self-support and pro- gress, until society at the South is re-con- structed and a healthy demand for agricul- tural labor becomes possible, perhaps some such system of training and guardianship as is now in practice here, is necessary, or at any rate desirable. Your obedient servant. E. W. HOOPER, Capt. & Aide-de-camp to Gex. Saxton. P.S. — General Saxion on hanfline: me your Circular said that perhaps the best and truest answer to most of your questions would be to say that he has found these people " intensely human." practice and development of slavery. Nev- ertheless we come to a very different conclu- sion. Unchaste women are not counted very good breeders, and in all this region we find very few bastards, or women who are not wives and mothers. No doubt there are ex- ceptions. 3. Very few are willing to go North, except for safety. I have had applications from large numbers wishing servants and ofi'ering good wages, lying over for months because of the unwillingness of any to go unless some special reason. 4. As to capacity. No particular differ- ence but in desire for knowledge and improve- ment is much stronger among the colored people. Scarcely one could be found who could read as they came in. Now very few but can read some, and all are getting books and with or without teachers are striving to learn themselves and one and another. Their progress is more rapid than I have ever known among other classes. 5. Their religious element is marked and strong, though crude, partaking largely of the relics of heathenism and slavery. One thing is clear. While their old habits and customs cling to them in their modes of worship, their faith and confidence in Divine revelation is prominent and almost universal. Schools or meetings are kept up nearly every evening in the week, and have been for months. Never knew a people more docile and con- fiding and easily managed and kept at work. Have had no serious case needing punishment III. From Fortress Munroe. Fortress Monrok, Dec. 30, 1862. 1. Our department covers several coun- ties, and therefore it is impossible to give a very correct estimate of the number of the colored population. It is several thousand. We have on this Point about six hundred working men. and less than half the numbei ofwomen and children. In Camp Hamilton and Hampton proper, 502 men, 574 women, and 664 children. 2. Yes. I never have seen a class of men nior- willing, if any inducement is offered. 1* for months. 6. Not an instance. 7. Not less than 2000. Nominally $10 a month. A very large proportion have been paid nothing or next to nothing. White la-j borers get $25 per month and found. Over' $30,000 are due the colored people for labor, to say nothing of a great amount of labor nights and Sundays for which nothing is al- lowed though promised, and also for extra valuable services. If paid same as white la- borers the amount would be more than double. If all could have their just dues that have worked for the government at fair rates, they would now have a fund of $50,000 and upwards ; double if the same pay as the whites. 8. There have been some exceptions, but 6 the rule has been brutal and cruel in the ex- treme. What they need is wliat they have long been promised but never had ])rotec- tion from the abuses of rebel sympathisers, and reasonable encouragement and opportu- nity to get a living. As compared with tlie poor whites, one is a source of wealth and the other of degradation. C. B. Wilder. IV. From Craney Island. Craney Island, Dec. 31st., 1862. Before answering your inquiries, I will far beyond anytliing I have ever seen mani' fested by whites, and their ability to learn t( read is fully equal to that of the whites ; be yond this I have no means of judging — ] think however, they would be slow maihema ticians — memory seems l)etter developed thai any other of their mental faculties ; of tijos' upon the Island, but four could read wh,ei they came within our lines; we now lia\ twenty good readers. If the circumstances under which theyhavi lived are fully considered, I think they wil 1 compare favorably (intellectually) with thu whites. 5. Twenty per cent of the adults are pro fessors of religion — their religion howeveri state, that Craney Island, is situated at the appears to be more a matter of feeling thai mouth of the Elizabeth River, about five of principle ; like many white christians the; miles from Norfolk, and ten from Fortress have more of it in their meetings than out O;. Monroe. It contains about fifteen acres of them, f land; it was selected as a contraband depot They *are somewhat given to lying am because of its security from visitation of the stealing, but I think no more so than couL secesh, and for the purpose of removing the be expected of any race enslaved, contrabands away from the soldiers. A large 6. I have never found them vindictive o portion of the people upon the Island are the revengeful. If you talk with their old own wives and children of men that are working for ers they will tell you, ' the reason why yo' the government, or employed as servants for find the niggers so good, is because all of th the officers in the army 1. The whole number upon the Island is 1381. Men above 15 200. Women " " 750. Children nnder 15 431. worst ones have been sold South." They say i " if we get hold of a vicious one and can d'l nothing with him, we sell him South at oncei and buy a better one in his place." 7. The most of those upon the Island as have stated, are women and children. Man . 2. They are willing to work ; more so than of the women have been employed in the hoS' the working class of whites would be, with pitals at Xewport News and Hampton, the same inducements for labor. Of the two think all of the washing and police duty abou hundred men, fifty are engaged in catching the these hospitals was done by contrabands oysters for the use of the Island ; one hundred .1 know from personal obsei-vation that sue are at work getting wood and assisting in the hvas the case at Newport News. They wer construction of barracks. I have no reason \slaves to the hospital, doing all of the dirt to expect the government will pay them for kvork, &c. Those at Newport News neve this labor, hence they are not having any Veceived any pay from the government — the " earnings " to save ; but I find many of them worked faithfully there from three to fiv have from fifty to one hundred dollars they months — they were not paid on the groun have saved during the past year while they that " such help in hospitals was withou had the opportunity of working for themselves. They are not profane or licentious. I have not seen an intoxicated colored person since I have been in Virginia, (nearly eighteen months.) authority." I have placed their pay rolls i the hands of Dr. Russell, of Mass., but hav not heard from him since. It is my belief that the freedmen that hav come into the Union lines within this deparl 3. They do not desire to go North — I have ment, have performed labor enough to su{ several times tried to find liouse servants wil- ling to go, with the prospect of a permanent home and good wages, but always have dilH- niltyin finding those willing to go. The only thing that will make them willing is the fear of being again enslaved. One ol)jection they have to going is the climate of the North ; port all that have come in ; much of the labo liowever, has lieen ])erfbrmed in other mil tary departments — many of the able-l)odie men were sent to Harrison's Landing laf summer ; since that time large numbers hav been sent to Washington — many of them ar employed by ollicers in the army, as servants another, (which I think has more weight with Then wages have not been regularly paid, tliem) is the fear of not finding again the 8. I believe Gen. Dix, commanding tbii friends they would leave behind. In case of department, is disjiosed to do all in his pow( " emancipation and fair treatment at home," for the benefit of the freedman, but the necef there would be no disposition to go North. sities of the freedman have never been pre 4. They have an intense desire to learn, vided for by Congress, hence the power doe lot exist with the military head of the de- jartment to arrange for the freedmen so as to ' jncourage " industry, economy and thrift." There is unquestionably "will" and mus- ;le enough among them to "earn enough to luppcrt the whole," but the trouble is, under Jie existing system, to arrange so that each iidividual shall have the opportunity to la- yer, and receive a just compensation for his abors — this I deem essential to "fair play.' I do not think they are " fit to take their )laces in society with a fair prospect of self- upport and progress " — even in the North hey would by public sentiment be kept as a ervile and inferior race, while in the South his sentiment is of course much stronger. I think their only chance is colonization mder suitable guardianship. It is absurd to iippose that tho training that has been con- (iered necessary to make them good slaves las been such as to fit them for free men — ve can only judge of the capacity of the col- )red race when a generation shall arise that las had the opportunity of being fitted by ■ducation to care for themselves and to per- brm the duties of freemen. I believe at this crisis our duty is plain, ^et us place the freed man upon soil where le will receive the benefit of what he pro- luces — guard him from abusing his freedom, ir from its being abused by others — educate lis children properly ; and if he cannot take he care of and govern himself in twenty ■ears, we will then admit that it takes a longer ime to get rid of the curse of slavery than we upposed, and the system is a great deal worse han we ever thought it to be. O. Brown. V. From Helena, Arkansas. Helena, Jan. 2. 1863. 1. About 4000. Men above 15 1800. Women " " 1200. Children under 15 1000. 2. They are vfor fair wages. Generally bey do. A number of them are quite pro- me, and talk like men who had heard more wearing than praying. There is scarcely ny intemperance among them. Their chas- ity will compare favorably with that of the whites, and it is at least thirty per cent bet- 3r than that among the whites of Memphis, ?enn. 3. Conditionally they do. In the event f emancipation there would be no disposi- .on to go Xorth. Emancipation fully car- led out and secured, they would nearly all mch prefer to live in the South. 4. Similar to those of other races. Few 3uld read when they came withiii our lines — they are now using the spelling book — arc learning to write, and several lead as exhort- ers and preachers. I believe with proper at- tention the rising generation will learn as readily as the children of any other color. 5. They have faith in God, and in the promises of His word — but they are a "great ways back." Their docility, subordination and kindred virtues are remarkable — without a parallel in the history of the race. 6. None whatever. They make no threats. They seem to wish well to their masters, but fear that it will not be well with them in the next world, however they fare here. 7. In all about 1000. The highest number at any time on the Fort, 350, at 40 cents per day, and three dollars for clothing, per month. White laborers receive one dollar per month more. The freedmen have never received a v dollar. Not far from $20,000 is now due them, and if their wages had been the same as the whites, nearly $2000 more would be due. I believe they have earned enough, had their wages been promptly paid, to have sup- ported all who came. 8. Their treatment has by no means been complimentary to the officials and subordin- des, which has operated to discourage and dishearten in most instances. They could save enough to support the whole. They are not altogether fit to take their places in soci- ety ; they need preparatory training and guardianship ; that of supervision and instruc- tion, until they are taught more of self-reli- ance. I am not satisfied that they would need any different training from what other men equally ignorant would need, and I am strong- ly persuaded that they would not. I have been thrown so much with the " poor whites " of the South during nine years ministerial labor in E. Tennessee, and since the progress of the war, have seen and learned so much of them, that I am clearly of the opinion that the contrabands would and could not make worse progress. Secure them against oppression, and leave them where they are — or gradually coloni/re them. Yours very truly. Samuel Sawyer, Chaplain 47th Reg., Ind. Vol. VI. iFrom St. Louis, Mo, St. Louis, Dec. 27th, 1862 Dear Sir: I have your note of the 11th instant, en- closing circular. Without answering your questions in regu- lar order, I will state briefly my views on tlie subject, regretting that want of time will not allow me to give it that attention which its importance demands. 8 My duties as Army Quarter-Master to the gun-boat Flotilla, t'oramenced with the ap- pointment of Admiral Foote to the chief command, and ended on the 30th September last, the Flotilla having at that date, by act of Congress, been transferred to the control of the Navy Department. I am now engag- ed in the settlement of my accounts. While I was Quarter-jNIaster of the Flotil- la, " contrabands" were employed in various capacities, as firemen, deck hands, laborers, &c. Of the total number employed, I can not say, as the pay rolls were handed to me certified by the proper officers, and I had no time to examine as to the individuality of the persons employed. I had some fifteen or twenty under my immediate charge, employ- ed on the coal barges, to keep them free of water, and load with coal the transports and gun-boats. This was very arduous service, as they were called upon at all hours of the day and night. This duty the}' pei'formed at an expense of one dollar per day to the Gov- ernment. For white laborers doing the same duty, we had paid one dollar and twenty-five cents per day, and had great difficulty to obtain them at that price. In some cases the Pro- vost Marshall had to be called upon to pick up straggling laborers, and force them to do necessary work. The public service would last summer at Cairo have been put to serious inconvenience if we could not have obtained the labor of the '* contrabands." They were more obedient, did more work, were of temperate habits, and were less disposed to absent themselves than the white laborers. On the gun-boats and transports, contra- bands were in demand, and I saw many who appeared to be highly valued by the officers of the boats. Their work was very severe, and such as they had been entirely unaccus- tomed to. They were not provided for as they ought to have been, particularly in the way of cloth- ing. Notwithstanding all this, I never heard of one who voluntarily returned to slavery. Few complained of ill-treatment by their masters, or expressed feelings of revenge towards them. They appeared to regret leaving (heir relations and homes, and would have gladly returned if assured of freedom. Before the war, I was an officer in charge of a party on the U. S. Survey of the Coast, and for seventeen years was engaged princi- pally in the Slave States. I often had mixed crews, of negroes and white men, and consid- er the negroes of the Southern States as hav- ing superior intelligence to the lower onler of white people in the same country. This may arise from their associations with the better class of whites, and the much greater comfort in wliich the,}' lived. I Iiavc, found (he Southern States Vjy no meau8 unhealthy, and if the same attcntiou were paid among the people to order anH cleanliness as at the North, the bills of mor tality would be much less. The wealthy [leo pie of the South do not live in as much r^om fort as those of moderate means at the North. There is no part of the South that the laboi of the white man cannot profitably be em- ployed, and no greater fallacy was ever s irt- ed than that cotton and rice can only be il tivated by the negro. I never enjoyed bet ter health than when working among the swamps and lagoons of Florida, and some- times as late as June. I believe that a Northern constitution can; much better stand the malaria of the Souths than the negro can the cold of the North. I have long been of the opinion that slav^' ery is a great curse and drawback to the prosperity of the Southern States. I believe if slavery were abolished, both black and white would be incalculably benefitted thereby Where slaves receive a portion of their wag es, and I have employed many such, I have always found them more valuable to me and' their masters. The negro is quite susceptible to kind treatment, and slight rewards ; and good words will have more effect upon him than the overseer's lash. As a class, I do not by any means think the negroes equal to the white man, but edu- cation and freedom will greatly improve them. If I were a resident of a Slave State, (as I am,) I would advocate immediate emancipa- tion. For the sake of the whites, even more than the blacks, do I advocate it. I have never seen one good feature in slavery, but a fruitful source of all evils. Very respectfully, your ob't serv't, Geo. D. Wise. VII. From the Army of the District of East Ar- kansas. Helena, Jan. 1, 1863. Gentlemen : In replying to the questions propounded ini your circular, I am happy in associating with me the Rev. J. G. Ferman, the Post Chap- lain of this Cantonment, and who came here early with the first troops that arrived, and is better acquainted with the negro popula-i tion among us than any man I know of, with' the exception, perhaps, of Rev. Sam'l Saw- yer, who has taken special interest in them, and special pains to acquire all possible in- formation respecting them. I rely, therefore, mainly on the statistics of Mr. Ferman, and in our opinions and conclusions, we, at least for the most part, concur. So that this may be received as our conjoint reply. The figures a(tached to your questions wiW be onr guide and yours. 1. About oUOU. 9 Men above 15, about 1,500 Women, 800 - Children under 15, about 700 2. For fair wages they are generally, though there are found not a few exceedingly lazy and shiftless men and women among them, and the children are running at large doing nothino-. Hundreds of the men have worked for the government for several months with- out any pay. Generally they are sa«»?5r. Ihey are tar less profane than an etpial body of soldiers in camp, — 30 per cent. less. Very little in- temperance exists among them. It may be owing to the fact that the means of intemper- ance are put beyond their reach. And as to chastity, their women will com- pare more than favorably with an equal amount of females in similar rank and circum- stances among the whites, either here or else- where. This may possibly be owing partly to the fact that many of them do not present sufficient charms to allure the white men. The marriage relation, however, sets lightly upon both males and females. 3. Except to obtain freedom, they seem to have none. Could that boon be secured to them in the South, they would choose to re- main there to going North, and this disposi- tion would be greatly diminished, if not anni- hilated, by emancip>ation, 4. The children can be as readily taught as ■white children — in music much more readily. "And while many of the adults evince great desire to learn, they have equal capacity with •rt-hite men in similar circumstances. Few could read when they came into our lines, and few have since learned, as no means of iustruction have been furnished them ex- cept a few spelling books, which they them- selves have purchased or begged. 5. The religious element exists to a much larger extent, evidently, than among whites. They are exceedingly susceptible to religious emotions. They have a number of their preachers here, and many meetings, greatly thronged and long continued. But their re- ligion is beclouded with great darkness. They are the most docile, forbearing, af- fectionate, and subordinate to authority of all the races of men. Their attachments are very strong, and they are remarkably imitat- ive and teachable. 6. No such disposition has been discover- ed by us in a single instance. We have heard of some few instances of a revengeful spirit ; but generally they evince attachment to their masters, even under severe provocations ; and would gratefully receive freedom as a ,boon at their hands. About 1000 have been employed by the government, and by order of Gen. Curtis they were to receive $10 per month, rations, and clothing ; but Gen. Steele ordered that their tcages should be *^ retained,'''' that it might be decided in courts of law whether it should he paid to them, or their masters. Soldiers get $13 per month, rations, and $3.50 in clothing. The freed men have not been paid off at all that we are aware of. i ' About $50,000 are now due them ; and not / less than $80,000, were they to get the same : as white laborers for similar work. Their wages would more than have sup- ported them ; and such as have obtained money from other sources have frequently been robbed of it. 8. Generally bad-very 6a(i. Maj. Gen. Cur- tis, Gen. Washburn, Gen. A. P. Hovey, and some others, have dealt justly and humanely with them, but many officers and their subor- dinates have been hard, unjust, and' cruel to them. And by the ordinary privates of the army they are treated as savages and brutes. This treatment operates most discouragingly upon them ; and yet most of them labor on industriously at any thing they are set to do. Could they receive fair play, they would be both able and willing to earn more than enough to support the whole. For the most j)art they need teaching and training as new and irresponsible hands. The planters need their labor in the South. Among them they would need little training, and if free it would command good wages. In a peaceful state of society, with a demand for their labor, they can support themselves ; and would soon acquire such competence as to make provision of their own accord for schools and churches. They would, at the same time, be greatly benefitted by the aid and training which the white race would give them educationally and religiously. Being human and rational, they need only such training and influences as all other poor and ignorant people do. In our marches through and residence for some months in the States of Missouri, Ar- kansas, and Tennessee, we have met with many poor white people, more ignorant, if possible, and less competent to take part in social and public affairs, than are an equal portion of blacks. As to what shall be done with " emancipat- ed slaves,'''' we think that the wise heads and benevolent hearts of the nation, directed and controlled by the providence of God, as they uprise, will be entirely competent to decide. Charles Fitcu, Chap. 21 Ind. Vols., J. G. FoRMAN, Chap. 3 Mo. Vol. Inf. VIII. From the Washington Contraband Depot. Washington, D. C, Dec. 16. Dear Sir : 1. There are 500 now in this camp. Since 10 June IGth, six months since, 3381 have passed through our camp. ;Mon above 15, 125 All but 15 of which number are in hospit- als, or too old or disabled lor eli'ective labor. ^V omen above 15, 126 These are mothers of children, the hus- bands of whom are in the service of the gov- ernment, here in AVashington or with our ar- mies. Children under 15, 2-49 More girls than boys. Out of 3381 who have irone out all but the five hundred now here, there has been a greater proportion of men than women. The men have often left wives and children behind. 2. In a large majority of cases I would un- hesitatinghj say yes. The exceptions are those who have been long in our camp lead- ing a life of idleness. Do they save their earnings ? In some cases they do, but generally not so, but ex- / pend it for good things to eat, such as con- ' lectionary, or ornaments which are palmed off" upon them at fraudulent prices. What are their habits as to profanity'} Not given verv nnich to protanity. Intemperance ? More now than at iirst. Rare it was, when / 1 connnenced, six months since, to find a drunken black man. It is not uncommon now. o. I answer v7iJiesitaiingly, no. Out of those who have gone out Ironi this camp, I have not been able to persuade, out of the two thousand and some hundreds, more than fiiteen or twenty to go North, notwithstand- ing the most liberal offers have been made them to go. They desire to remain on the soil where they were born, if they can do so and enjoy their freedom. Would this dispo- sition be increased or diminished by emanci- pation ? It could not be greatly diminished, but it would not be increased, so facts fore- shadow. 4. Those who have come to this camp are from A' irginia and North Carolina, and have not exliibited the same capacity with those in South Carolina, at l*ort Koyal. Not one in a hundred could read before the)' came inside the Union lines, and but few can read yet. Our school lias been taught by two or three gentlemen in the employ of the American Tract Society in New York, but liom fre- quent interruption, from the constant change of new comers and departures, has not shown gratifying results. .So that it would be unfair to draw any data from facts so meagre. The people do not show that interest here to go to school that they did when 1 was in South Carolina. 5. As to this I would say in rejjly, that this people are the most reliyimis people 1 have ever know)i, yet it is a religion entirely des- titute of morality. If wc look iulo the mind itself we shall see how this is to be accounted for. Reason ami judgment do not appear, as yet, to be developed, while the imagination is over developed. I never attend their meetings without becoming excited myself; yet their ex- citement does not come from the presentation of truth, but from sotmd rather than sense, or the peculiarity of the form of illustration. As to docility, I never knew a more docile people. Nor is there any disposition toinsu- bordination. I have no difficulty in their management in this respect. But to reason with them is out of the question. You must tell them what to do ; this they understand ; but do not understand what it is to be asked, " Will you have the kindness to do this or that ?" 6. I answer, no! they pray for the success of the Union army, and that their masters may lay down their arms, but there is no men- tion made of a spirit of revenge. Out of the 3000 who have come to this camp, at least 1500 have been employed by the government. At what wages ? Teamsters at ^2b per month, without rations. Five dollars per month of this amount has been reserved, by a recent order of the War Department, for the sup- port of the disabled, and wives and children. Those who labor in the Commissary Depart- ment service, $20 per month with their ra- tions. Those who work on the wharfs in the Quarter-Master's Department, have $15 per month and rations. Those who cut wood for the government, have 75 cts. per cord, and find themselves. Common laborers have 40 cts. per day and rations. This embraces all those who labor in the sei'vice of the govern- ment, except those who go with the army as officers' servants, who receive about $8 or .$10 per month, with rations and their clothes. Those who receive $25 and $20 per month, and some of those who receive $15 and $12, fill the places of white laborers who received $1.25 per day. 1 have been informed that our black men do as much as the white men at this pay, if not more. Have these men been regularly paid their wages ? In the Quarter-Master's, Commissary Department and on the forts, they have been paid each month or once in two months. Those who have worked for officers, or in the camps, or at the hospitals, have not been paid for some reason or other. The wages of about fifty such per- sons have not been paid for the last five months. These were to have received from $8 to $15 per month. The question now occurs. Have not there been earnings enough by all to sup- poi't all who have come inside our lines ? I answer, yes, and more too. 8. There has not been much cause for com- plaint in this region in this respect, as far as i have been able to find out. The masses could easilv work enough to maintain the whole. 1 answer there is iio doubt but this 11 can be done. Do they need a preparatory training and guardianship ? I answer it is mv mature conviction that such a prepara- tuV\ training is required before this people are' prepared to take their pLaces in society of a District often pUintations on the South side of St. Helena Island, and afterwards, or from July 1st, as General Sui)C'rintendent of what is called the Second Division of Gen. Saxton's Department, com])rising St. Helena, Mv plan would 'oe to place these peo[)le by Ladies Morgan, Cousan, Dathan and Wassa companies, say from three to five hundred Islands, in a company on a farm under proper instruct- ors, to teach them the arts of life, and just so fast as any show sufficient signs of improve- ment, they be pushed out into the world to fill their places in society, their places being filled by raw recruits. This would be prefer- able to scattering them among the whites generally, for the following reasons : 1. It is the nature of this people to live many of them together, This has been their manner of life on the plantations. 2. If distributed among the people general 1. The number of freedmen on the 82 plan- tations of the Second Division is 4015, exclu- sIvK of about 1800 refugees from Edisto and other places, the greater part of whom are now residing at the village of St. Helena, at the northern end of St. Helena Island. Number of children under 15 about 2200. No record has been made of the aggregate number of women as distinct from the aggre- gate number of men. 2. The negroes, as a general rule, are wil- ling to work for those persons in whom they ly, while there might be a philanthropic spirit have confidence, and who will pay them reas here and there, yet the masses would hire these onable wages. The proportion of idlers or people for the purpose of making money out of loafers among them is hardly greater than it is among an eepial number of white men of the inferior classes at the Nor.h. They show a great deal of forethought in providing sub- sistence for themselves ; and there is not the slightest danger that they will suffer firom starvation so long as they can get land to cul- tivate or can have an opportuniny to earn regular wages. They are saving of their earnings and gen- erally make a good use of them. There is very little profanity among them ; and as to intemperance I have not seen a sin- them, and would not, on that account, care so much for their elevation as for the number of dollars they made. ' 3. The plan proposed would be the best, for the aim and end would be the elevation of the race. You ask whether this class would require any other training than that called for in the case of the poor white classes. I answer, yes. In my judgment the case of these blacks is different from the poor whites. These peo- ple have been slaves all their days — slavery has made them dependant. When they are ui a dilemma they turn to the white man. All ille instance of it Their habits in respect to chastity are such questions which they cannot solve are looked as one might expect to find where scarcely any upon a^^ of easy solution to the white man. The spirit of self-reliance is hard to infuse in- to the soul. Many and varied will the lessons be to inculcate this truth. Long and patient- ly Y\nll the teacher have to wait ere he beholds restraint upon licentiousness has been hereto- fore imposed. 3. They have no desire to go North. They are strongly attached to the places in which been they have accustomed to live. Nothing: the sprouting up of the spirit of dependance. We must eradicate the old system, if we •would behold the spirit of self-reliance pos- sess the soul. D. B. Nichols. Sup't of Contrabands. the liuits of his toil. So long as the roots of butoppression will make them quit their pres- the old system remain, we may expect to see ent homes. In the event of general eman- cipation and fair treatment, they will be per- fectly content to remain where they are. There is little chance, however, that they would be willing to labor at wages for their old masters, because they know too well that their old mas- ters would not be likely to treat them fairly. Rather than work for their old masters, they would prefer to earn a precarious livelihood by hunting, fishing, and raising swine and poultry ; or, if they had an opportunity to hire or buy land they would prefer to culti- vate the soil on their own account. There need he no fear, however, that humane emi- grants from the North would have any diffi- culty in hiring these negroes at wages. 4. They are very anxious to learn. They consider it a great privilege to go to school. There were not probably ten colored per- sons in the Second Division who knew the IX. From St Helena Island. Popf/s Plantation, St, Helena Island, S.C. Jan. 12th., 18G3. Dear Sir, I have received ai Circular of the Emanci- pation League, asking for information in re- gard to the freed men of the South. I shall be happy to answer the inquiries proposed, so far as my experience enables nie to do so. I have been in the Governinen! service U' re since March last ; at first, as Sup^nutendent letters oi the alphabet last March. There 12 are now at least 500 cliildren and adults in this division, who have made considerable proj^rcss in learnirg to read. Their capacity to learn is greater than they have had credit for, and is equal to that man- ifested by the Irish population at the North. 5. The religious element is very strong in these negroes, but it has not been sufficiently enlightened to free them from many degrad- ing superstitions. They believe fully in a fu- ture life, and they place implicit trust in Providence. It is much to be regretted that their simple faith has been trammelled by creeds which tend rather to bewilder their minds than to amend their lives. They need nothing so much as to be set right, by friend- ly exhortation, upon the plain principles of duty. They are naturally very docile and kind, and remarkaljly submissive to whatever they think to be reasonable and just. 6. I never heard the negroes here express a desire to be revenged upon their masters. But they make no secret of their wish never to see their masters again. 7. Nearly all the negroes have been em- ployed by the Government either as laborers on the plantations or in jobs connected with the military department. The wages for plantation work may be put down at twenty- five cents a day. Good mechanics have been paid at the rate of fifty cents a day. The la- borers on tlie plantations have not been promptly paid. Wages, for example, earned in July were not paid until November, and no payment lias yet been made for work done in 8cptemb(;r last. This want of promptness in payment has tended, more than anything else, to discourage the negroes and diminish their confidence in the agents of the Govern- ment. I suppose that at least $5,000 are yet due to negroes in my Division. White laborers would have earned more, because they would have done more in the same time. The pay of twenty-five cents a day is really pay for about five hours' work. The negroes on the plantations in the 2dJ Divison have earned enough to support them-i selves, but the refugees from Edisto, and other places, have had to rely mainly upon the Gov-, ernment for food and clothing. 8. The negroes in this I^ivision have gen- erally been well treated by military officials and their subordinates ; but there Lave been some exceptions. In a few instances negroes have complained of losing their poultry, eggs or swine, by depredations of the pickets. Such depredations, and the license Avith which the soldiers have made use of plantation fences, and, in some cases, of plantation buildings for fire-wood, have not a little dis- couraged industry, economy and thrift among ; the negroes. Give them fair play, and the able-bodied ! negroes will earn enough to support them- • selves and their dependent relatives. In my judgment, the freedmen in this Di- vision can at once take their places in society as a laboring class, with a prospect of self- support aud progress, provided the persons for whom they labor recognize their rights as members of the human family, and take an interest in their welfare. In the event of a reconstruction of Southern society on the basis of free labor I should place more dependence upon the blacks than upon the " poor whites " for efficient service ; aud I be- lieve it would prove a han'er task to reclaim the latter than the former from their present degrada- tion. To convert the emancipated slaves into indus- trious free laborers will require the most prudent management. But the most important condi- tions of success in this difficult work are, un- doubtedly, to pay them fair wages promptly and at short intervals, and treat them with perfect justice, neither encouraging idleness or other bad habits by indulgence, nor exacting more labor thau they can think it reasonable to perform. Very respectfully yours, RICHARD SOULE, JR. General Sup't of 2d Division. H178 74 597 ,0 0°"°" o ^0 ^_, .'N • rf^o^^^'' . O ^^9- " o v -<* -^^ '^ .y .x^^'-^l /'-^/ ^^• o_ .-^^ii;:^. ^0 1^ f " • °' v-. ;^ -^c^. O N O -\W l^ . 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