New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-04-02


done TO serve as an illuaration of some Of the
methods by which 1t is hoped to pursue the work Of
education and Improvement. Notice was given that
school would be opened at St. Helena Church. last
Sunday rning, 10 teach the negroes TO read. This
church t near the center Of The Island and has been
formerly attended from all the plantations. Three
or for hundred blacks gathered Gu this Sunday
morning to receive their Ifrst lesson. They were
of all ages, from Elk TO fory-hve years. Ten
white teachers present. and few Of the blacks
who knew the alphabet, or could read little IL
their testaments assisted Most Of the negroes were
interested in this new opportunity, eager TO begin
their education, and DESTROYS TO be supplied With
books The regular yscaoo is for those OF an age
capable of instruction not yet mature for WORK.
from six TO fifteen. For adults, instruction VIII be
given on sundays, and far rs possible at The
houses Of The agents in the afternoons and even'ng'
most Of the iaborers are able 10 finish the tl ioF
the day. before in the afternoon. The seasons III
which they have been overworsed are those !"
which Tho cotton is cultivated and picked Some OF
those who are most capable furthest advanced, VIII
be taken from the field aud employed as teachers
After the lessons were ended, Mr.. Pierce spoke to
them on the new life opening before them, ADVISED
them Of their duties and responsibilities, and offered
,ueh practical suggestions as were most Iceded al
the time.
The negroes SO readily TO work; indeed, have been
generally at work under their driver before any gu
perin,endence wac begun. Ideness II the exception
not the uls So far il is possible 70 judge, no di
euy ia to be spprebended this score, yet ibis IA
precisely the difficulty account Of which The great
es. apprehension has been felt that all experiments
with free labor must be failures. The negroes in
the camps have been found 10 work willingly; why
should they not on the planationsl Here is sys-
tenn in OPERATION on n hundred and seventy planta-
lions under which they are at this moment suece'--
fully carried on by free labor. II it proceeds with
equal success the most alarming obstaces in the way
of emancipation will disappear for the terrible cues
ton, What 10 do with the negroesl Will be answered
in the simplest and most practical way.
postpone a more detailed account Of the opera
tons ou the estates, ill find time, q. later day,
and when the agents fairly settled and regularly
ut work, to vist some Of the plantations. An out
line Of What has been already accomplished, seemed
necessary to be given now to snswer in measure
the profound interest with which oil patriotic and
pertinent. Only favorable reports and the most
hopeful ancpaonso of success have come 10 me, get,
though there is every reason for confidence in the
future, it ia not 70 be forgotten that months must
elapse before this effort to be experiment,
and passes into system. Uniform results on every
plantation are not TO be expected. Great TeCfon'i'
biiities rest on nntIed mon and tie psh OF their do
ties il by no means distinctly marked. Success or
failure in particular viii depend on individual
capacities. Good sense, patience, humanity reli'
gious faih, are qualities not quite universal, even
among white men. yet very high oeereo OF such
qualities 10 demanded Of every agent in order 10 bus
most effective and successful cooperation in tho en-
torprss Nor is il possible 70 forget that much Do
pends on tie character Of the negOes, aad thai OF
these sea-sand plantations they ARE sos orally Of
lower class, and degraded ~ form . slavery
worse than exists 10 the Border Slates, md aot Ices
cruel than in the rice swamps of Georgia 81. 40 e-ile
brakes Of LOusiaua. IL would DO strange il every
such immunity were found TO DO industrious, or
DERBY ard capable Of instant transition from slavery
10 freedom without any arrangement Of plantation
economy. With due allowance, Therefore, for ez-
ceptona cases, tic question Of success or failure is
to be finally answered only - IN estimate OF gen
eral resus.
The supplies Of clot ing seni from the North are "a
yet wholly inadequate the wants Of the negroes in
the camps and on The plantations. Much of IL has
been Of 100 poor quality be Of great service, and
there 10 immediate need Of very large quantity.
Government having assumed charge Of the estates
and the aborers upon them, ought TO send clothing,
but since ii does not, the sane demand ia made on
private liberaiy an before. For new clothing
price is charged to tie laborer, and tie amount de-
Quoted from his wages for il s 20, desired
age the notion that in bis condition he ia TO ust
10 private or public charity for the necessities Of
comfortable existence. The amount thus received ia
returned, to b, reinyested in new suppes-a system
adopted by MrLee, the superintendent at Port Royal
with the best results aud to DO extended over all the
islands. Probably the beet method of furnishing
the required amount would be 20 purchase new cloth
ing-ooerss durable and cheap enough to be sold at
a price within The neans derived from the very mod
crate wages now paid 10 black laboren. Suits Of
coat and trowsers were sent here aud sold on phi
vate account for 81. For Government supplies Of no
better quality the price Of s. wss fixed by the board
Of survey and this was eonsdered ~ extrava CANT 10y
Mr. Lee that be refused 10 ssle them TO tho negroos
under BID charge. This rum il more than awhole
months wages Of some Of the lsbcrers, according 10
ihe tariff established by Gen. Sherman. Some rela-
ton ough. to exit between the wages paid aud the
prices charged by Government officials, and Us The
Commanding General fixed the amount Of pay, il
would 70 be his duty 10 see tina. his employees
arc NOT ovorcharged by unfortunate officials.
In recommending that new clothing be purchased,
Il s not meant TO discourage contributors Of socJnd-
hand clothing in toleTably good condition. M.
Pierre mud Mr Lee Ln- cnuonr I'm rnu.n..-.- me m