The free South. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1863-1864, 1863-01-17

plsFthg and cultivation had proved favor
I able, this would have been fair indus
+ trial result for the free labor Of the first
year. 1t would have paid all expenses oi
the government on this Island and left a
/ fair profit. This was the promise up to
the LIST of August. But from that time
The cotton began to look sickly,-it was
vigorously attacked by the worm and
most of itiwas destroyed. AS it was, only
about 15, 100 HIS. in the seed was saved,
and much Of that was yellow and of infe-
! rior quality. Neither the corn or potatoes
did well but there was sufficient of both
raised to supply the wants of the people
and the working animals on the island till
q. Tie negroes have oDta1neu TINS m
dustrial result Under some circumstances
| of encouragement and difficulty it is
worth while to mention.
|. They received no encouragement or as
surance Of protection in planting their
crops till month at least, after the usual
time for preparing and planting the
ground in this region. They were very
insufficiently. supplied with the usual
amount Of implements and working ami
mails on the Plantations They were much
discouraged and demoraIzed by the real
| terrors of their condition in district of
active military operations, themselves un-
armed and helpless, and the uncertainty
that rested nr,un their future, making It
doubtful whether they should enjoy the
fruits of their labor. .,llis -
r. The external system of management en-
ployed TO keep the negroes at work, conld
neither have the simplicity and unitary
strength of compulsory labor, nor vet the
free play and direct motives of paid and
voluntary labor. The negroes knew they
were virtually free, and they did not know
how much they would be paid for their Ia
boz, ,aor that they would be paid at all.
,a;. Up to- the. first of August, for fire
rUm hdJf months of labor, the negroes
were paid only three dollars for every acre
of cotton planted and cultivated. This
amounted to about three dollars apiece to
every man, woman, and child, to provide
each with clothing, and every article of
domestic consumption beyond what was
embraced in their rations, of which the
-four was all that was sufficient for their
absolute ,capts. This certainly cannot be
called fair AID reasonable pay. Circum-
stances, I think, beyond the control of the
Government, or of the head ofthe Depart
tment here, made it impossible to carry out
the system of wages; but there is no doubt
that this has been, the great obstacle in
the fair trial of system Of free labor with
the freedmen of this Department for the
! Here is the bright side OF sns picture.
The -docility, the hope, the faith of this
people have produced this industrial result.
It is to motives drawn from moral consid-
erations, constantly and vigorously ap-
pealed TO-, that we owe the degree OF order
and industry that the plantations enjoy.
The School and the Church have been
brought in as auxiliary TO the work on the
plantation, and he who was the Superin-
tendent was also their family physician.
Their attendance ut church has been very
fill and constant. I" Abont fifty Of the
adults, and as MANY children, have taken
the advantage of instruction In reading.
But with so much necessary and Incidental
interruption las my other ayocations have
laid upon me, theip progress has been less
than Ico,ld wish. They are very teacha-
bic, and many have shown enthusiasm in
learning to read. ar.
Their sanitary condition I regard as very
defective, The greatest difficulty to any
improvement Ia that respect, is that their
houses are insufficient in size and much
out of repair. They are much in want OF
suitable clothing, and hence cleanliness
cannot be insisted on either in their per-
sons or in their houses. But they are
quick and anxious t. theip condition in
every respect within their power; and this
IS this the best guarantee that they will
rapidly improve under favorable condii-
tiops
This Report I have the honor to submit
as your very obedient servant,
.lfs-~sg1- ~ j. g. ZAuHos,
Gent Sup't and Act. Asst Surgeon on Paris Island