The national Republican., 1862-01-25


WHAT TO DO WITH THEM.
We have the best reasons to know that the
proposition printed below Is made In entire
good faith, and by parties who sre able !"
perform what they undertake. They are
ready to furnish security, ct any moment 70
the amount of half million Of dollars
As IL is not at oil likely that the Government
will embark in an agricultural operation,
either directly by Its own agents, or in part
nerphip with anybody, It is to the second Of
the two propositions made by Ellis, Brltton
and Eaton, that we invite attention.
This is, iu brief, to take lease Of twenty
thousand acres Of cotton lands near Milton
Head, something less than township Of sl1
miles square, and pay an annual rent Of one
hundred thousand dollars, taking all risks
upon themselves, and asking no other protcc'
ton than such as is given by the national
troops, now actually in possession at Port
Royal Unless somebody will offer higher
rent, 1t seems to be the plain duty OF the Gov
ernment to accept this one.
If We regard these lands near Port Royal,
which have been abandoned by their late own
ers. as enemys property seized for the public
use, it is the duty Of those who administer
public affairs to manage them 10 such way
"A to produce an income for the public ben
eft.
II we regard them as held by the Govern
ment as a trustee for the owners, 1t is equally
the duty OF the Government TO draw an income
from them. II IL is a trust, ii is trust assu-
med by the voluntary act Of the Government,
and if the Government could be held to answer
in court Of chanccry, it would be bound to
account, not merely for rents actually received,
but for rents which 1t might have received, II
it had managed the property, as men ordinari
ly manage what is their own.
Unless somebody will offer more, an annua
rent of one hundred thousand dollars Is an i'm
portant sum, and the Government cannot re
fuse to accept it, either for its owD account. o.
for the account Of the owners.
To this same conclusion, all other considera
tions tend.
Our manufacturers want cotton, and II il
for the general good that its cultivation shoult
be encouraged at Port Royal and sverywher
else.
As we have broken up the old forms Of labo
iu the vicinity of Port Royal, We shall neglec
a plain duty to the black population there,
we do not seize this opportunity to secure
Eve thousand Of them steady work, good wage
and ample provisions for comfortable msinte
nance. Instead Of being burden upon publ
and private charity, and acquiring the bs
habits which idleneas always begcts, these ne
groes will pass at once, il this proposition Q
Ellis, Britton, and Eaton is accepted, into tn
condition Of laborers we'll paid and we'll pro
vided for.
II is an incidental recommendation OF th
proposed operation that it opens a market, I
the amount of half q million Of dollars, for th
goods, wares, tools, machinery, and provisier
of the North, and employment for Northcs
mechanics and overseers with an opportunit
to become acquainted with the processes Of a
agriculture new to them, and the practices
knowledge Of which 1t ia most desirable to e,
tend.
Objections to this proposal will only com
from those who fear to have practical demOr
stratiop of the fallscy Of the assertion, tha
negroes can only be useful in the condition Q
slaves, and who have made Themselves hoars
with asking. What Is 10 become Of l1erate
black men? Here is chance to provide fe
i've thousand Of them, and If this offer is o.
cepted, equally COED ones may be made, whic
will provide for more.
Ellis, Britton and Eaton propose to provid
the negroes, great and small, with subsistenc
at the rate of one dollar per week, In additio
to the vegetables they may raise. As the Q
tablished plantation allowance for workiu
hands, is three and half pounds Of pork an
peck Of meal per week, these people will /
furnished with q much improved style of sui
sistence, and in addition, will receive VIII
neither they nor their fathers for dreary gen
rations have received, aud that is ,cages.
OFFICE OF THE NOVELTY Works,
Springfield, Vermont,
January Il, 1862.
SIR: Believing that II is very impolitic for Il
Government to continue burdening itself At tt
time with the support of several thousand co
traband negroes, In comparative idleness, VIII,
they might be employed very probably to thel
selves, as we'll as to the Government In cultivi
ing the abandoned c0tt0n n0lds near Fort ROyi
we wish to call your attention to the foowi
estimate of the profit that could be made
employing 5000 Of them in this manner.
promiscuous gang Of 5000 negroes, inoludiI
the old, young, and inhrm, would equal
effective labor, about 5000 able bodied hand
and be capable Of cultivating 20, 900 acres
cotton, provided no attention was paid TO Il
cultivation Of other crops, except The veget
bles required for their own use. This land, wi
an average crop, would produce 800 poun
per acre, or 1000, 900 Of pounds in the aqer
gate, OF ginned cotton, which would be wort
under the most unfavOrable circumstances.
the New York market, 33t cents per pound,
81 900 900 in the aggregate. To produce Il
crop the following outlay would be requr.
viz: