Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-10-03
FREFDMAN's RELIEF ASSOCIA-
TION.

Tie question as to what shall be done with
the slaves who are now becoming freedmen,
rece.-I an answer, not theoretical but
practical. IN the statements made Sunday
evening by the Rev. John Dudley, to
the large audience who assembled to listen
to him in the Fust Congregational Church
Of this village. Mr.. Dudley spoke in behalf
| of the freedman Relief Association, organ
lied in the city of New York. under the pa
tronage and direction # the Natl nal gov
ernment. The immediate object Of the or
ganlzstion was to give aid to about fifteen
thousand negroes. IN the vicinity Of Port
Royal, whose masters had left them when
that position was taken by our forces. The
Association sent supcrintendents to encour-
age and direct them IN the cultivation Of
tho plantations, and forwarded articles OF
clothing. books. farming implements. and
whatever they could gather from benevolent
individuals who felt all interest IN the
enterprise 1t was slx weeks later than
the usual time Of planting cotton, when
the superintendents who were sent BY the
Association reached Port Royal. They re-
| solved however 10 put IN the usual crop i
be slaves, now freedmen, could be induced
to labor They found ltile difficulty in per-
suading them to engage in the enterprise
when suitable inducements were presented.
The clothing and other necessarles that had
been contributed were sold to them. and an
account oIeued with each laboring man. a
| feeling Of pride and ambition was at once
awakened in the breast Of the negro when he
found himself recognized as a man. They
take especial pride IN being subject to the
law IN place Of the lash, and appear truly
devoted to the interests Of OR government.
The experiment which has been made has
proved successful, IN spite Of the efforts Of
interested parties to represent otherwise, OF
t. iuJure it. Notwithstanding the lateness Of
the season when the work was commenced,
and he lack Of experience on the part Of the
superintendents, most Of whom had little
or no knowledge Of agricultural affairs, about
two thirds Of the ordinary cotton crop has
been cultivated, besides So acres Of corn,
755 Of potatoes, and propOrtionate amount
Of other crops. Official and other reports
show, that the freedmen are industrious,
eager t, learn and improve. They are
learning to read and value books as only
those eau who are beginning to drink for
the first time from the fountains Of know
lsige. The Association is now turning its
attention entirely To the educational interests
Of the freedmen, not only those near Port
Royal, bat throughout the country. The
United States Government now bears the ex-
peuse Of the enterprise, except 50 far as re
lates to teachers. To gam assistance, that
teachers may be sent to points where they
are needed, aud to obtain articles that the
benevolent may wish to contribute, Mr..
Dudley remains for several days among US.
The following named gentlemen were ap-
pointed last evening as committee to assist
him. and to receive and Forward whatever
may be contributed for the purpose. S.
Huntington, E. A. Fuller, James Mitchell,
L. NJ. Hagar, and j. X. Gray.