The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-11-19

A Letter from the k~v ID h Nichols 1.-The
COnsrsbsnds Not Burden 60 the Cove rn-
meHt.
The following important letter is from the su-
perinteLdeBt OF cOntrabands, at Washington, to
Gov. Yates. Ii will POSSESS especials interest tor
Western readers from the TACT that its writer
Was excessively superintendent Of the Chicago
Reform Schools AID the Michigan State Reform.
School
COxTRiBAND DEPARTNEST-CAMP BARKER
Washington, ID. e., Oct. "a, 1862.
To His Excellency Richard Yates, Governor of
Illinois:
SIR:-FroIn testimony deemed by me reliable
| learned Yesterday that, in All address lately
made IN Southern Illinois by an ex Membe. Of
Congress, the representation was made that in
Washington, at the present time no less than
AZ, 900 'contrabands" were stfbsisted and clothed
at the expense OF the government. Now a state
ment coming from a source 80 high, where the
individual 10 supposed h"o-- DO 1-..-,
tend to influence miscbievousy a large class OF
our citizens who have no correct means OF OBJ
tanning the facts. Thus felt il my duty to COIN
mSnicate to you, after advising with some Of
your friends in Washington, putting you in pos
session Of the facts which you are at liberty to
use you deem best for the cause of truth and
justice.
The facts are as follows: On the 10th Of last
June was appointed by Gen. Wads~ orth super
intendcnt OF tie cOntrabands at duff Green's
Row." Washington, where found about 400
persons. young and old Since my appointment,
up to the present time, no less than 5000 con
trabands, OF both sexes and Of all ages, have
passed through my hands.
of the above number, all bat 675 have gone
out, either to do foI themselves, labor in private
families, or work for the government. The 675
four present number) includes l20 who have
been sent Us from the various military encamp
ments in and about Washington, and from the
hands employed by the qnartermaster and com.
missary departments, and are sent TO us for med
ical treatment. Then We nave about twenty
nh" ar" :. ."nlo'ed at forty cents per das in the
number Of the remainder 60 out during the day
10 wash for the sick soldiers ut the h, spitals and
return to their families at night in the camp
This leaves a small balance of those too old and
infirm for profitable labor, or too young to 60 to
service. Aud even tho mothers, with their
large and dependent families hvae husbands in
the army or navy. and have been sent to US for
protection and sustenance, while their husbands
are employed by our army.
As to clO hing, the government has not at any
time furnished these people with any, not even
blankets, except in few cases. Northern be
nevOlenoe, through the National Freemen's
Association" and the I" COlored Contraband As
ISOLATION" have thus far furnished the clio hing
for these destitute ones Thus We See, in the
the light Of these facts that all the cry about
=" contrabsnds" being a burden to the govern
ment is the creation Of the fancy OF designing
politicians
Then, again, the cry, which is so often raised
ty these same designing men, that the North
viii be crowded with uiggers and that the poor
whites will have to suffer in consequence, alike
without foundation; for while applications are
daily made by persons from all the Northern and
Western States, and the most liberal offers OF
pay made to these people if they will consent to
| 60, yet not one in hundred eau be persuaded
| to 60 North.
Thus when the question of government bur-
| den Of 40 900 "contrabands" is considered in
| the light of truth, it is reduced to 400; while
| the thousands of those who some have hoped
to see emigrating to the North and West, GO in.
| to the column Of units.
The thousands expended BY government foI
clothing the c0ntrabands, turns out to be just
nothing, and idleness spoken Of, is in the ligh
of truth, specify converted into erecting fprtif
cations, diligent and labOrious to in the eervil.
departments Of the government.
| No, instead Of these people being drug o.
| the hands of the government, ten could be to
day employed, while We have but one to furnish
d B NICHOLS.
Sup't of COntrabands 1t Camp Barker.