Cleveland tri-weekly leader. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1854-1885, 1862-11-11
General Mitchell and the COntrabands.;
General Mitchell shortly before he died
wrote the following letter to Secretary
Chase

g OcuoEAA IAlCucA LuA AAC NOELFduaIaast
/ General Mitchell shortly before he diet
wrote the following letter to seeretar.
Chase:
HEADor4rrEzs DrP'r OF TIE sorrH, HIToEl
HEAD PoET ROYAL, 5. O.. Oct 80, 1867. J
Ny DEAR Governor received this
morning, your two letters, the one by msil
the other BY Hon. Mr.. Hutohings; and from
their contents 1 derive hope and courage
Ihad an Interview this morning with Gen
eral Saxton, which was entirely satisfac-
tory, and think our personal relations are
all that could be desired. But I think,
I Governor, you are mistaken when you say
General Sa1ton is TO act under my orders.
/ His letter of instruction states, in so many
words, that he is to act under the Brders of
the Secretary of War. Ifhe were, indeed,
| under my orders, l have an immense work
for him to do, which I would commence
without an hours delay. I would begin
the organization of my Plantation System.
A perfect census Of all the blacks inhabit-
ing the islands would be promptly made
Ny model plantation, with its fields, fences.
seeds, tillage, implements, houses, furni-
ture, &C., would be organized with as little
delay as possible. I would commence the
buildings, which viii be required for the
large Rceessions Of population which will
certainly come to US, when we break
through the enemy's line on the main land,
which we are determined to do. 1 would
have all the blacks distinctly informed as
to the plan By which they were to be gov
erned, educated, and made industrious and
worthy citizens. would tell them that
thu Frrrffa Of fhaf-. a,ST uuor,1I h
seorated hereafter to their own benefit; to
each family on the plantation would give
a separate dwelling, with patch for their
own private cultivation as little garden.
"From estimates which have carefully
made, l am quite certain that an industri-
Gus family of three persons will certainly
save from $3.50 to $500 each year In five
years such a family will have laid up in
the Plantation Bank an amount sufficient
TO make them independent. And then,
with industrious habits, with religious
instruction, with correct moral views and
sentiments, with minds properly trained
TO self-depsndenee, they may select their
own homes il they 30 choose, and begin
the world for themselves.
yesterday, which was Sunday, little
church, built for the negroes, was conse-
Grated to the worship of Almighty God
By invitation from Abraham, the black
preacher, was present and addressed his
congregation. l have spoken TO the elite
Of Boston, the solid, and the scientific, and
the literary men Of that learned city;
have spoken to the fashionable crowds Of
New York in the Academy Of Music;
havs spoken to the rich and proud citizens
of New Orleans; have spoken to multi
tudes in almost every State in The Union,
but do not think I ever addressed any
audience whose presence touched me more
deeply than the sable multitude to whom
endeavored to utter words of encourage
ment and hope yesterday. And, my dear
Governor, they arc encouraged, and they
do hope; and feel that it is possible to
convert the officers and soldiers from their
unjust and uugenerous prejudices, and to
make them the firm, fast, sympathizing
friends of these unfortunate blacks. al
ready, / find a very great change, and
some of my thinking officers, who were
most gloomy and most despondent when
first arrived, are now full Of cheerful
hope"