The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-20
COTTON CULTURE ON THE
LOWER MISSISSIPPI.
THE SYSTEM OF LEASED PLAN.
TATIONS.
Report OF Adjutant General Thomas.

VAT1ONSs
Report OF Adiutant General Thomas.
WASHINGTON, Nov II, 1868.
The following report has been received
from Adjutant General Thomas:
NArcHKz, Miss, Oct. Is, 1868.
STR recently passed few days at Good.
rich's Landing, La, fifty miles above Vicks-
burg, my purpose being to ascertain the con-
dition of leased plantations, to what extent the
cultivation of cotton has been carried on, and
especially to know whether the cultivation of
plantations could not be carried on as well by
hired freemen as well as by slaves.
The gathering of cotton is now in full opera
ton, and it may be too soon to report fully the
result, but facts ir my possession are sufficient
for judgment on the experiment, as previously
reported.
The season had advanced fully two months
beyond the time cotton should have been
planted, which was unavoidable, although the
system was put in operation as soon after my
coming to this country as was possible.
The lessees therefore laborded under great
disadvantage in this respect, for most of them
had just run the furrow to plant seed, then
plant corn, relying on subsequent time to
break up the ground between the burrows of
cotton and exterminate the weeds.
The necessity Of withdrawing troops from
Louisiana to augment the force operating
against Vicksburg. left this line of plantations,
some sixty in all, without adequate protection,
when the rebels made an attack on Milliken's
Bend, where they were signally defeated, and
made raids on plantations, scattering and driv-
ing off negroes and stock.
This occurred at a time when it was impor-
tant to cultivate crops. Some time elapsed
before the hands could be collected, and they
were induced to recommenee work. The con-
sequence was that fully one-half of the crops
were not worked at all, and in other cases
where some work was done the weeds and
plants had to grow up together, the ill weeds
overlapping the cotton plant.
The army worm attacked all late cotton, de-
stroying from quarter to q half of the crops.
Still, under all these disadvantages, not one of
the lessees will lose money, but all derive a
profit.
know that they are satisfied with this ex-
pertinent. All desire to release for another
year. The negro lessees, of whom there are
some fifteen, will make from four and five bales
up to, in one case, 100; and it is fact that the
cotton they have raised for themselves. owing
to its better cultivation, is of higher grade
than that of the white lessees. Some of the
negroes have cultivated by themselves and
families, whilst Others have employed their
fellow-freedmen. The freedmen have worked
for wages according to the scale fixed upon by
the Board of Commissioners, and at a higher
rate, l understand, than was adopted in the
Department of the Gulf They have been well
and more abunantly fed than they were when
held in slavery. Schools have been established
upon plantations. Lessees have felt it their
duty, by every proper means to cultivate this
unfortunate race. AS general rule they prefer
Northern men, whom they regard as their
friends, to working with SOutherners, even if
their former owners and hazard nothing in
saying, that the net proceeds on crop by a
nOrtherner who has paid his hands wages, will
exceed that Of Southerner who has cultivated
by slaves, the number of acres being the same
in both cases.
Those employed have thus been of no ex.
pense to the Government, but have supported
themselves and families. They are perfectly
contented, and look forward with hope to their
future elevation of character.
The experiment was adopted hastily, and
from necessity, with many misgivings, and
now regard it as a complete success.
The number of bales of cotton raised on
these plantations will not much if any fall
short Of eight thousand bales, giving Govern
ment the sum of $15, 900 as a revenue. The
lessees will also pay to the Quartermasters
Department, for mules, utensils, &C., furnish
nished or found on the place. some 800, oOo.
The charge, in lieu of rent, is two dollars per
bale, making SIG, 900. The Governments
share on some plantations abandoned by less
ees may sell for $3.50, 900. desire this money,
or as much as may be necessary, to be set aside
as o fund necessary 70 pay the expenses of this
year and of the year commencing January LIST,
1864. 1t is significant fact that while trans
ports on the river have been frequently fired
into by rebels, not a single shot has been fired
from that line of the river covered by these
plantations, extending for seventy-five miles
above Vicksburg, which shows the importance
to commerce of lining the rivers with loyal
population.
have, sir, the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
l.. THOMAS, Adjutant General.
Hon H. NJ. STANTON, Secretary of War.