Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-07
From the n. Y. Sun Republican,
The Port Royal Negroes.

The opportunity of testing the relative merits
of free negro and slave labor now furnished on
large scale at Port Royal and Beaufort was too
tempting To be neglected by the advocates of the
former system, and. as our readers have been
advised number of male and female miSSOna
ries from New York and Boston proceeded at
once to the scene of q, eratiOns. and are now en-
gagged in developing their favOrite theories. Suf-
hcient time, perhaps, has not yet elapsed to pro-
nounce rs TO the success or failure of the project
but we have data to warrant the conclusion that
the expedition is already imperiled in consequence
of the excess Of zeal over practical knowledge
in the parties engaged in the cause
1t must be confessed that the difficulties were
weighty and numerous. The plantations were
despOiled of produce and stock by the Commits
sary Department, in order to avert the greater
evil of plundering by the negroes. and the imme
date consequence has been TO render the contra
bands dependent on the Quartermas,er for their
ratlORs This mas been losing OpertiOn TO the
Government, and the inherent difficult es result
ing from It have been aggravated by the ignor-
ance and incapacity of the persons having the
matter charge. The allowance to field hands
when working. on the plantations South is one
peck of corn (unground) and three pounds of
meat-either pork, beef or bacon-per week
The meat was not given to those not working
The negroes were then fat and healthy. and sui
tered comparatively little from disease
When Capt. Lllley took charge of the contra
bands at Beaufort he allowed them the following
articles and in the quantity specified: Fifty pounds
of beet or pork, five pounds of coffee twenty
pounds OF rice eight quarts Of beans three quarts
of mOlasses, and Indian meal al iibuum To the
one hundred rations Six children we're entitled
one ration. Rice and beans were issued alter
nately. Under that system TIE negroes lived
better than ever before-h,d enough To elt were
healthy and willing to work Capt. Lley had
sob negroes under hs charge. and during the two
months he controlled them but five died tour of
whom were children, and the fifth old man
who had passed his eighty first year. This was
the result of bis system.
On the 20th OF January. Captain Fuller took
charge of the contrabands, and began 20 issue
full soldiers rations to each and every one count
ing children, and the consequence Is the bills of
mortality have increased 10 an alarming extent,
and the negroes rapidly becoming worthless
and unable or indiSpo,ed TO work A soldiers
ration IS enc pound and quarter of beef or pork
eighteen ounces OF bread, rice, beans, sugar, mo-
las>eS, soup, candles, pepper. vinegar, salt. &c,
in proportions, valued in the aggregate az forty
cents per day, or for five hundred and iftvsi
men. women and children, 5000 40 per day for
ratiOns alone Capt. Lilley's rations may be val
ued a. forty-fve cents per day, or perhaps les.
Now. IN the first place there is not a soldier in
the army that or does eat his rations daily.
No man can EFT twelve hard biscuits day. be-
sides his pound and half of pork or beef, his po-
tatues. &c., furnished him Nor the negroes
do it with safety Nevertheless. he is glutt0n
enough to eat ali his pork and beef daily and the
consequence is large increase OF mortality and
the appearance of small pOx among them to an
alarming extent There are now twenty-fs
ses in the small pox hospital under the care of
DR. Waldock who has made this case a special
~ MI has tax on Dlpt tD fha
entire negro population. Feyers also exist
among the sgroes to Il much greater extent than
usual.
In fact the negro is killing himself rapidly
az possible IL Is continual thanksgiving feast
with him, and he will fail 10 endure it lust AS
white would who eat his Christmas or Thanks
giving least every day There is a limit to hu-
man endurance. and the contrablnds are find in 2
il out very rapidly. Laying aside the more i'm
portant humanitarian aspect of the question the
iriehtful expenditure incurred in feeding the
groes m this sumPtuOus and unusual manner,
should be taken into consideration. The United
States Government i feeding At least twenty five
thousand negroes daily at cost OF $40 900 per
Gay. and NJ the expense of the negroes health
and comfort as well Now, with the regimen
furnished by Captain Liley, which i much better
than the negro has ever before enjoyed. and which
costs about .ght or nine cents day 10 each the
same number OF men might be fed for i. $50 per
DAY. saving the Government each and every day
the comfortable sum of S7.150-an item OF con
siderable magnitude
The Missionaries are having good success in
making themselves comfortable. according to the
account OF a correspondent. who SAYS that they
are mostly in Beaufort. quartered together in u
large house. and engaged in the pursuit Of aban-
doned furniture, with which they are filling NJ
their mansion in regal sfiaence. Tbs, are quite
successful in this line OF business. and their ca
reer promises 20 be glorious Rev. Mr.. French
Is famous forager in the furniture line, and his