Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-04-17

fecting satisfactory arrangements between
the freed slaves and their former masters,
has made a report dated March oath, from
which we condense his conclusions. The
system under trial has already been men
toned in the LEGDKR. It is, in brief, for
the negro 10 work on the plantations for
stipulated wages, both planter and slave
being bound by certain rules and regula-
tons 10 ensure faithful labor on the part
Of the latter, and honorable conduct by
the former. Ithas been feared that the sys-
TEN, would in many cases, be abused by
the planters, who would take advantage Of
the resumption of their authority over the
negro, to again reduce him to slavery.
The plan, however, seems to have worked
well in keeping the negro from suffering
and from idleness and in ensuring crops
for the coming year. We quote from the
latter portion of Mr.. Hepworth's report:
HDetermined, however to put the matter
10 its practical test, and trusting more to
your ssgacity and reputation as humane
man, than to my own inexperience,
went to ThibodeauI to commence the work.
found there some Eve hundred negroes,
most Of whom were in 8 state Of great
excitement. They were huddled together
in q few rude huts of their own construc-
lion, with no floors, and roof open TO ev-
ery shower. A few Of the men had found
work on the roads or the leVee. Some Of
the women were earning q few picayunes
by washing for the soldiers, but most were
living in necessary idleness, and getting
into bad ways. Ihad them called together,
and told them that the government was
friendly to them, but that it expected them
to work for living. assured them that
they would be protected against any Of the
outrages of which they complained, and
then asked who were willing to return to
their plantations. They told me that
they did not wish TO live in idleness, that
they would be glad to 90 to work. None
Of them showed any reluctance to go upon
some government plantations, though sll
showed an unwillingness to return to their
old masters. again assured them that they
should be treated in every respect as hired
hands, and then found that nearly all
cheerfully assented so my proposition.
To my great regret found an alarming
mortality among the children, caused by
the unfavorable location which has been
chosen for their huts, and by their mode
OF living.
81 then visited Napoleonville, where 1
found that forty-seVen planters had al
ready entered into the arrangement and
that the plan promised good results both
for the planter and the negro. In no case
has any compulsion been used. The negro
was simply told that he must work either
upon the plantation for q given sum as
wages, or upon the levee or road for his
rations only.
HFrom Napoleonville went to Donald
sonville, and thence to Baton Rouge. At
the latter place found about twelve hun
dred negroes, who, though everything was
done for their comfort which was prscti-
cable, were in q deplorable condition. They
seemed to live in 8 sort Of community re-
gardless of the laws of virtue and oleanli-
ness. was informed by the superintend-
ent that he has had under his charge an
average of abouta thousand, and that since
December last one hundred and seventy
two have died. This terrible percentage
Of mortality proves conclusively that some
measures must be taken at once to change
their condition. If left to themselves they
viii inevitably breed pestilence. tele-
graphed to Lieutenant Hantz, SuPerintend-
ent Of eontrabands in New Orleans, who
will see that most Of them are placed upon
Government plantations.
IHaving accomplished this much, deter
mined to visit the plantations to which
these negroes had returned, to hold con-
ference with the planters and negroes, and
thus ascertain the real merits of the plan,
have visited from sixty to seventy-fVe
plantations, remaining upon each one
sufficient time; and have to say that all
my doubts have fed. am confident that
the plan is not only satisfactory to the
planter and the negro, but also that 1t re-
silly affords to the black man an experience
which will do much to fit him for the free
dom for which he is destined If the war
continues. It insures 8 crop for the COM
ing season it saves Government the ex-
pense Of feeding the negro and, by re-
munerating him for his labor, it teaches
him the use of money, and the value Of
his services. It moreover, takes the pecu-
liar sting from slavery by its tendency to
cAcNdlG AuS DAdoA mon " NAo PSoAeAoA VI
the white laborer. AS you have yourself
very happily expressed it, sit gives the
slave his future He is vastly more COM
Portable in his plantation hut with his
family about him, and protection by the
Government, than be can possibly be in
any position which we can afford him
while the war continues. think the ne
gro understands this himself. 1 have talk
ed with several thousand, and find them
far more intelligent, and better aware Of
the position of affairs than had been led
to expect have no doubt that most Of
the negroes in this department, repOsing
confidence in the Government, will re-
main cheerfully upon the plantations dur
ing the present season, trusting in Prov
idence for that future Of freedom to which
I know they are all looking"