The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1864-11-18
From the Baltimore Sun.
The Employment of Freed Slaves in Ma
rYland,

AS~'
The subject Of free labor and fair COM
pensatinn therefore is one at present eX-
citing the attention Of the landhoders and
others engaged in agricultural pursuits in
Maryland. On the 9th inst, a number of
the farmers, in Prince Georges county,
held public meeting at Marlboro, on the
subject. Hon. Samuel FL. Berry was call.
ed to the chair, and Adolphu Ii. Lam
bet, Esq, was appointed secretary. The
following resolutions were then unanimous
ly adopted:
Resofo,d, That it is the duty of the citi-
zous Of Prince Georges county to take into
their most serious consideration the pres
ent condition Of the negro population, de-
cIared free by the recent proclamation of
Gov. Bradford, and it is the duty Of every
good citizen 10 conform to the following
resolves, as the best means to insure the
well being of the citizens of the country,
as also that of the negroes.
Rcsohed, That we hereby agree that
we will not employ any negro for ordina-
ry field service, except by the year, and
We earnestly recommend to the citizens of
The county to adopt this mode Of employ
ment Of their service for agricultural pur-
poses.
Rcsoived, That we will not offer any
inducement to any negro to leave his Or
her present employer, with view of pro-
curing his or her services AMI we recon-
mend this couise 10 all good citizens Of
the county.
"Resolccd, That it being the desire of
this meeting to do ample justice to this
unfortunate people, We recommend to the
farmers ard others Of the county needing
this species of labor, the following scale of
wages: First class negro men, wages not
TO exceed Sl2O per aunum, and board;
trst.class negro women. (wthout chill
dreD, wages not to exceed $50 per annum,
and board boys, uuder eighteen years,
wages not to exceed $50 per anIum, and
board
Resofred, That the subject of these res
buttons be recommended to the consider
alton and adoption of the people of this
county, and that their concurrence in said
resolutions be expressed at meetings to lie
held i'll the several election districts, at the
usual places Of holding elections, or such
other places as may be determined on
by the people in said districts, on the 10Th
day of November.
The farmers Of Charles county have
called mass meeting at Port Tobacco, to-
morrow, to take the same subjects into
consideration. Referring to the proposed
meeting the Port Tobacco Times remarks:
Since slavery has been suddenly abol-
lsbed in cur midst, -effecting a complete
change in the relation of the aboring
classes to their former masters, and cast
ing loose upon the community class of
persons who must subsist by labor or by
stealing, it must be apparent to every one
who has the welfare of the community at
heart, tina, general understanding and
agreement is absolutely necessary among
all engaged in agricultural pursuits, as to
the compensation that should be given,
and The term of service required of free
negro laborers. This class of laborers has
heretofore afforded tut poor dependence,
owing to their unwillingness to engage to
90 service for longer periods than day,
week, or month at time. From the
nature of our productions, short periods of
service will not be found to answer at all,
and this matter should be prominently
brought before the meeting. Believing
that if u firm stand be taken at once by
cur people, mutual benefit will result TO
them and the negro laborers, we can but
express the hope that the meeting will be
generally attended by the people of the
county, and that they will give to the sub
Ject that consideration which its import