Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-11-20

States Is estimated at from seven 10 eight
hundred thousand. The condition Of 80
many who are already free affords a sample
Of what may be looked for throughout the
entire South when the Proclamation of
Emancipation is carried fully into effect
The South Carolina freedmen offer at once
the example Of longest standing, and the one
most creditable TO the freedmen. The agri-
cultural operations Of the negroes in the
Southern department, beginning on the
South Carolina Coast, have been extended
under the direction Of Government agents,
over the SEA islands Of II. Helena, EdistO,
Port Royal, Paris, Ladies, Coosaw, Barn
well, Cat, Cave, Pinckney, Hilton Head,
ard 10 81. Simon's Island on the Georgia
coast, aud tn ST. Augustine and Eernandina,
Florida. Five principal and fifty five subor-
dinste superintendent have had the direc-
ton and management of these agricultural
operations. These superintcndents are
pledged not to seek profit or emolument in
any way beyond their regular salaries.
The freedmen engaged in this work since
April 1862, have numbered about sixteen
thousand They cultivated, in 1852 Fix
thousand acre. Of corn, eight hundred acres
Of potatoes and SIX thousand acres Of cotton.
in ls6S they have plasted five thou
sand FIVE hundred acres Of cotton.
and seven thousand nine hundred acres OF
corn. They have maintained themselves and
carried forward their agricultural operations
successfully. notwithstanding the drafts
made upon them for ahle-bodied men for the
army Their cotton crop Of last year sold in
New York for ~ thousand dollars This
year the crop VIII be double that Of last year,
AZ the season l. favorable one. These
freedmen now work Tor regular wages and
exhibit spirit of persrvering industry, Of
thrift and economy. No rations have been
issued 10 them, except 10 cases Of refugees
jus, arrived, since January last
LIT Us turn now from this picture of pros
pcrity and look ut the contrabauds Of the
Southwest A committee appointed TO tx
anime ami repor, in regard TO those near
NicN-hurs sly that NOT les than thirty five
thousand c1ntaband- are gathered on the
banks OF tile Mississippi between Helena and
Natchtz. Ten thousand of these are within
Twelve miles Of yieksbur- The greater por-
zion OF these latter. are women and children.
the men having enlisted in the army. These
women and children. now deprived Of the a.
sistauce which the able-bodied men might
render, are Of course dependent upon the
Government for support.
4 body OF nine thousand contrabands are
reported as being near Goodrich Landing.
Louisiana. Government agents have Tt
emily engaged the greater par; Of them to
work the abandoned plantations in that VI
Unity.
These large bodies Of freedmen however.
q which We have definite accounts. consti-
ute only a fifth or sixth part Of the entire
lumber. The remainder are scattered some g.
ervins in the army and others getting a
wing IN any place and in any capacity that
-ill afford a subsistence. Many families are /
citing down near the places of their former
aptivity and are gathering the comforts or
least the neocssarics Of home about r
lem Il
The condition Of the freedmen on the
hole Is very much ike that Of any other b
,ople tso far as we can learn from his:ory) l
- Iessins out from under the woke If bon ?
=. In some instances, great suffering a
ID mortality prevail, owing IN part to Il
ansy of habits. and in Part to the fact that
e strong men are taken from them for the r
my, leaving them no means OF support. Il
AS far two points nave been established. P
mely. that the freedmen will prosper if =;
" have chance to work for fair wages. ca
that they can live in tolerable comfort o.
Ell to work tor themselves. They suffe II r
any people suffer. when without homes or " "
means Of support the women and chill ct
n are left alone. b
The recent report of Gen. Thomas with +.
'renee to the plantations near Vicksburg
lch are now worked by freedmen. con- Po
Is what has been reported from other ma
'es, with regard 10 the industry Of the an
70 when working for wages. Gen. for
mas also adds an important item of in VA Wa
nation OF which not N uch has been said Ma
ne. He informs US that the freedman i'm,
'rs with such skill and effect. that those EN-
employ him and pay him wages, are s Ieu
ing larger profits than men who own ing
eS. This important testimony ought to
'iy the most ineredulous, Of the ability S TI
&c negro to make a good use Of his free bic
> and to take good care Of himself if he arm
4 tolerable chance and
in I