New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-04-02
HOW THE NEGROES WORK
WRETCIIED CONDITION OF FLORIDA

from thence had continued apd 1resh oree1es ir"h
north and east
The ship WIN. Cummings was going into Port
ROYAL rs he Oriental came out. On the outward
trim when of Charleston the Oriental was fired into
by the steamship Florida one of the blochading fleet,
bong mistaken for the Isabel.
The Oriental brought the following persors as
passengers:
Capt r. Gotta U. s. II. s. Lieut.. Wooster, f. c. Pls,us
Major KilbOu ae Rev. DR. foy Il. Har, VIM Mc'iilbsry
e. Jones, Lieut. Geo r. .enoiags. Capt wm. A. Lighths
:. sea Much 90l Lien, Evans Col Whiople, Csp, Wall
sidse Lieut. Col morrison, Robinson j. c. Csryen MI
Wa,oa Bruyn, and 10 second cabin aud 20 s,eersse.
From Our Special Correspondent.
PoRT RoyAr, March q, 1852.
Returning TO Port Royal after three weeks ab-
sonce in Florida do NOT find much outward change
IN the condition of affairs to note, nor will camp ru-
mors or military intelligence discover TO an inquirer
that any importsnt significant event has occurred
Yet suppose few days in the history of Carolina or
She annals of the black race were more momenious
In their interest to both than Friday, the 7th of
March, the day on which the Atlantic arrived from
Eew-York bringing tie pioneers ofa new social ex-
pertinent tue success Of which will redeem this State
and reconstruct its fabric principle heretofore
deemed chmericsl or fsnatical in practical sppliea
ton, or which at best was reckoned the birthright
only of Caucasian rsCesa principle not indistinetly
epuncated in toe Declaration OF Independence: that
al men are created free and equal and have certain
inaenable rights among which life, liberty and
she pursuit Of happiness. Such an effort sanctioned
by the Government Of the United States, and indeed
directed by iis agent, though supported by private
l. ,Iif
attention, even amid the enthusiasm Of victories
which bad begun 10 make Us fear that this division
Of the army Of the Potomac the only force that
would not be permitted to fight.
Tkisbardly more than fortnight since the work
Of this company WAS begun. OF course it is too
soon TO predict results or even to attempt to give
many details Of the pan Of operation adopted. For
tanatey, the purposes and plans are very practical
ones and it is quite possible to state what has been
done, without anticipating The future. In order to
make the whole business clear state briefly the
more important facts in connection with this move.
Enent suteCedently to the arrival Of The Atlantic.
The special agent Of the Treasury Department,
NJ. L. i. Pierce, came to Port Royal Jan. II. Re
naming till the 10Th Of February he visited seven
teen plantations making careful inquiry ioto the con-
dton and wants Of The negroes the results Of which
have previously been referred to in my letters, and
even embodied in long report 10 the Secretary of
the Treasury, afterward printed in THx TRIBUNE.
He visit to tire North was devoted to consultation
with Secretary Chase, to private conference with
numerous benevolent persons interested in this effort
and to the discharge Of the duties imposed him By
anew commission from the Treasury Department.
The societies organized in Boston and New-York
we,e org aslly intended W supply agents for educa-
uonal and religious instruction TO tie negroes. Mr.
Pierces commission authorized him to receive eppu
cations for employment, to give all suitable support
and aid to the agen,s Of these associations, aod u
direct his efforts "prevent the deterioration of the
estates to ther best possible cultivation under
the circumstances aud the greatest practicable bene-
it to the latorers upon them"
Secretary Chase being of opinion that ais power
was exhausted in the apDoiuuontofa general super.
inteDden it followed that all tde duties in reference
10 the management Of the estates were 10 be assumed
by the appointees Of the associations. The sanction
vi the Treasury agent was, however, required for
the final acceptance Of all pereOns To whom permits
were to be issued by the Collector at New-York. In
accordance with bis suggestions, the selections were
made on the following principles: First, tina, all the
agents should be humane men believing ia the capa-
city of the negro and the Of the experiment,
and that their humanity should be sustained By re-
ligious faith; secondly that they should DO men Of
good practical sense willing 10 give themselves 10
the practical duty as igped them. No knowledge of
cotton culture was deemed necessary, because that
was possessed in perfection by he negro drivers;
but some s1i in farming to be considered a de-
sirabe qualification. Funds to considerable amount
were furnished by the Department for tue purchase
Of tools, seeds, and other supplies needed on the
plantations. Transportation was also provided and
al order from the War Department directed that sub
sistence and facilities for their work should be sup
Piled by the military authorities at Por. Royal and
Oh the Islands 10 be occupied
Fifty-ive persons, twelve Of them women, came
down on the Atlantic 10 begin this experiment
Tools, seeds, clothing, and books had been purchased
aud given III considerable quantities.. On the arrival
OF the Atlantis, the whole company was temporarily
placed as Beaufort except two, who were dispatched
at once TO Edisto, where two or three agents, who
mad arrived earlier, were already at work. ana in
need Of immediate aseisi9pce. Gen. Sherman prom
ied his cordial cooperation and issued the following
order, covering the Instructions OF the War Depart
lsnt:
HE.DeuAKrEIs. l. c.. Huron Hg.D s. c. Mach g. 1852
OksEsAL ORDERS, No. - II Mr. tdwafd IT, Pierce hsv-
@ been appointed by the H0u Secretary Of the Treasury
ssnal ecPeuead- and Director Il al persons engaged
10 us eouss;aon Of the land and the employment 81
Si.f. y, u hereby announced e. such.
ne iol~ine Instruction. t. the General Commanding
p1Ssaed for he .uOTU alton vi al c0ucefHed and
il1g oilers VI s posts aud within the
~ 800 VIII DC governed Ia strict conformity thereto:
a.~.... WAR DKPATrMKNr teb. ~ 1859
..s....S .ou are HEREBY directed ahoTa protection,
an I@eiies 90 far cons ten, WIN the
800 - soe ana the do ies AID objects Of your com.
e.. ~ ln ~ " .G may present to ,os written pefl
sesu 20 men uloer tao authority Of The eere,rv az In