New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-09

cell, hdueu, NO, sir nDi 'illtr 70 mucn mr. you iV
he never inquired 70 kindly after me m yon nave
done" "Wcll, hut did he not iurn'sh iood and
clothingl" "No, sir had supply all 1bat n.y.
self" -,
One woman in reply 'o'he usnc' question, why sh.
came away. and whether sie would not like 70 20
back if assured Of her freedom at her old home re-
piled: No, Sir, l never want TO sec the place
again." When asked why. she said she would
rather live nywhere clio, she had been 10 badly
ltreated-and never waited 10 see The place again
There was no lack Of intelligence in this woman;
but the ASSOC atioDs VI her former home were sueh
as to desroy I'LL attraction toward the scenes OF her
childhood. During this conversation, large crOwd
of women collected evidently anxious to hear all
that the stranger. had to say Upon being ioqnired
of cOee lively, whether any present wished TO 80
into the North, not one appeared willing; but all
seemed 10 shrink from the idea, sud said 1t WIS 700
cold. The poor people apl cared TO think that onr
visit was designed for their benefit in some way;
and when informed of its objects. they were
wild In their expressions VI joy and thanks. One
old woman said she had been praying for US to come
and had full faith that we wonld come; that when
che saw us land, she blessed God that her prayer
had been heard and answered. They said in snb-
stance: eve will endure this suffering in patience
for the sake OF the prospect OF freedom We arc
patient through all because we see good time coui
ing. We pray the coed Lord for all Union men con-
stantly." When We came away, they followed us
in u crowd to the end Of the pier and as the steam.
boat moved Off raised their hands and waved us
adieu.
In conversation with John Dawson, he had no
doubt that al. these people couid ea-ily support
themselves, if they had the opportunity, either
upon the land, or in other fields OF industry, lie
showed M some excellent oaken baskets made BY
them, aud worth from 80 cents TO 10 cents EACH
The material for these was found III unlimited
quantity in the adjacent woods. lie also Showed
us a scow which had been made and calktd by some
OF the men under his charge. II was VOL done.
| r.. ...to. IL abA IN
CIaDey Island and for this reason less preparation
had been made for their accommodation.
We returned to Fort Monroe on the morning OF
IL h month I'd, and occupied the rest OF the day
with our kind friend, c. Is. Wilder, who for the
sake OF the posr and freniess has for many months
denied himself the enjoyment OF home. Ill order to
minister 10 their aid aud protection. In witnessing
the sound Judgment, firnness aud tact, vet the ev
dent kindness, with which be promptly disposed OF
the inoessant applications OF tho coiored people, we
were forcibly struck with the value OF hiS disnter
es,ed rervices-not less TO the Government than 10
the subjects of his care. Hitherto he has devoted
his time without pecuniary reward, in this import
ant but tbankltss Office.
We returned to Baltimore by the evening boat,
and sfter again visiting Washington and Philadel-
phia, reached New-foik Oh the evening OF the 1th,
after an absence Of II days from our honles.
When in Baltimore, Washington, and Fort Mon
roe we visited some OF tbs capitals for the sich
AID wounded soldiers. In every Instance We FOUND
them in the most favorable cOndltloD. Ire peus
and clio, hing were clean; the ventilation good ana the
medical aid aud attention, ell iat could be expected
IL Baltimore, esyecia ly We were 2raiihed with tie
unremi,tng attention Of benevolent ladies, whose
kind care for the sufferers was generally aekhowi
edged and Tiled their hearts with gratitude.
In converting with the several superinten fenss o.
The Refugees relative 20 their ability 10 support
themselves, there appeared TenaTkable unanipIty
Of opinion, although they Wee all in somewhat DIFF
f,rent circumstances. {. is. Wilder. after an expo
Tience oil eight az nine months constant intercourse
with hundreds Of them, had no doubt thai, II they
had fair Glance work, and wero paid their wages
regularly, they wonld only supppr. themselves.
Jnt all ihe women aud children. No men gould
show grseter industry and alociity 10 work when
employed on ga eash job" They lot only have
due for work, and nos paid. Similar assurar ces
were given Ms by DR.. Brown on Crsney Island,
Jim D4weon, ~ For, Norfolk, aud Others WHO had
the mems OF forming impartial opinions.
Con,.dering the hard worl which they perform,
the MANY prva,ions they have 20 suffer, ana The ABB
ssure % their wag,s [bevoud their fs,ions, II is re-
mnr A. BE that th, y eLouid perform go well. but
their hope IL atrong and their faith nm, tt goOu
duy coming, and not far distant When therefore,
We ref ct upon 81 ir pr sent CIR UNI. tuoes and lsst
history we can perceive nothing ~ shake the opinion
OF rnose experienced aud symp.thning superntend-
e,is These people have heretofore, Uy Their labor,
pcduced not only enough Tor their own support, but
ior that oi their masters 10 assert IN lle lace Oh
tbs fact that these men, whose INDUSTRY ms pcen 20
fruitful, canno. take care oil Themselves without the
MID OF nA4fe man 10 coIsuiDe IA Id eness or luxury
the pocods of tLeir labor Is To impeach the wisdom
of the Creator and TO CLAIM immunity for the rapa-
c.ous inventions Of man, In the pretended omissions
OF bis Maker
On our wey from Washington. we learned from
gentleman well acquainted with North Carolina,
IA al there il now great scarcity OF aborers III the
northwetterG part III consequence Of The eicape oil
the .layes; and that many people there are suffer-
ing serious and loss for want OF their
services.
ncc,iup the colorei laborers nj Fort Monroe, that
there Is Vt least $4,000 due TO them from Govern
meut, for arrears OF wages, 10 remarkable iact,
aud should arrest all disrsraging renections IL IL
worthy OF remark, that the rate OF wages a.
lowed them 10 less than half Of what is allowed TO
similar laborers at Washington and Alexandria-and
ess still than the wages said TO be paid to loyal
shareholders for the labor Of their slaves.
We could adduce the testimony Of many other
witnesses show the industry OF these people, and
the value of their labor, but it il deemed unneces-
sary. There Is yet one interesting Circumstance con-
neced with the transition from Slavery to freedom
that IN this age Of avarice will tend 10 the ssfnc-
ton Of all-fhe raive which IS ordinarily Estimated
upou the slape 70, on the reaorGL " SIarTy, trans
Jtrred 10 the land, and generally in much greater
ratio.
There 10 another view Of THE subject bearing
upon the questions which out Of the condition
OF the eolored refugee which may be worth con-
sidering.
II there IL any advantage in material wealth TO
nation, then ai the labor which il necessary TO de-
yeop it, resources is OF proporrionate value. Ii is
estimated lhat the minimum cost Of Iairpg or sup
porting man from infancy TO maturity 10 not leS
dan $500; ind u shrewd observer nas remarked
that every good abe-bodied emisrant OF ~ years
tb,t c0mrr into the country il addition TO the M
ti,uai wealth Of a. least $3.50. The cot OF raising
him being incurred BY others this country acquires
Lm without cost Now. il this be true Of industrious
fre.men from abroad why is il not equally true OF