The mountain Democrat., 1864-02-27
From the Nev Ysrk Tribune Of January 18th.
THE FREEDMEN OF THE MIS-
sISsIPPI.
Their Condition and Necessr.seS-
Defects of tho Cotton Plantations
Systems.

Western Sanitary Commission, recently
visited the various camps in which the
Freedmen are gathered, from Cairo to
Natchez, along the Mississippi. He has
collected his observations in a report to
the Commission, dated December II,
1868, which is of great interest and value,
containing as it does much information
on the questions touched, not otherwise
accessible. From it we select and abridge
the following statements:
Mr.. Yeatman's object was "to ascer-
tain as far as possible the number of
those who are unemployed, and who are
now, or are likely to become in future, a
charge upon the Government, or upon
private charity; to ascertain their wants,
and how they can be relieved; and to
make srch recommendations and sugges-
tons for their management and improve
ment, as will bring them as speedily as
possible to the enjoyment of the blessings
which the Presidents Proclamation Of
Freedom was designed to confer upon
them"
With these views he visited twenty
one camps, plantations, and farms. Con-
cerning affairs at Memphis he writes as
follows.
within the City Of Memphis, not
directly connected with any of the camps
or with the coored regiments, there are
three Thousand freedmen and women,
mostly freed men, who are employed in
various ways and at various rates of com
pensaton. Those employed by Govern
ment receive but 80 per month, while
many could readily earn from $50 to $50
per month. Those thus employed are
outside Of the military organization.
ITO give an instance: One quarter
master told me that he lad in his employ
ment a harness maker, to whom he could
only pay SD per month, while they were
I paving white men doing the same work
/ $40 per month; and that the colorcd
man could readily procure the same
wages we're he allowed TO seek market
I for his labor in the same town. saw a
number Of colored men pressed into SER
vice mot military, to labor at the rate Of
! $40 per month, one of whom petitioncd
to be released as he had good situation
at $50 per month. The tircmen on the
steamboat on which was a passenger
from st. Louis to Memphis were all
colored, and were receiving $40 per
month. These men were afraid 10 go
ashore at Memphis, f"r fear Of being
picked TIP and forced into Government
employment at less than ne.lourth their
/ existing wages. Besides the fact that
men are thus pressed into service, thou
sands have been employed for weeks and
months who have never received any
/ thing but promises 10 pay.
/ This neglig, nee and failure to comply
with Obligations have greatly di>heartrn-
ed the poor Slave, who comes forth at the
call Of the Presid nt, and supposrs him.
self free man, and that by leaving his
Rebel master he is irtli"tng a blow on
the enemy, ceasng to labor and to pro-
vide food Tor him and for the armies of
TIE Rebellion. Thus he was promised
freedom, but how is it with him? lie l.
seized in the street, and ord, red to 60
aud help unload a steamboat, for which
he will be paid, or sent 10 work in the
trenches, or to labor for some Quarter-
master, or TO chop wood for the Govern
ment He lahors for months, and at last
is only paid with promises, unless per-
chance it may be with kicks, cuffs, and
curses. Under such treatment he feels
that he has exchanged one master for
! many masters; these continued abuses
sadLen and dcpre@S him, and he signs to
return to his former home and master
! lie, at least, fed, clothed, ard sheltered
| HIM. Something should be done, ard
doubt not will be done, to correct these
terrible abuses when the proper authori-
ties are made to comprehend them"
! Goodrich's Landing presents another
/ and more favorable picture. 1t is the
/ Headquarters of the North East Depart
ment Of Louisiana, under command of
Brig Gen. Hawkins, who has in com
mand six regiments Of colorcd troops, all
well olicered and thoroughly drilled.
One Of these regiments is at Mllikcn's :
Bend, and two are at Nicksburg engaged
in working on the Notifications. lie is
justly proud of his troops, and has every
confidence in them as soldiers.
The Infirmary Farms are intended for
women and children and for men unable
to do ordinary work. DIR. Littlefieid,
who is the physician of the lntirmary
Farms, is located at the Savage Place,
where he has established a Freedmen's 5
Hospital. He appears to take very
deep interest in this people, and is desir
Gus to aid in improving their condition.
He reports he has to furnish medicines
and attendance to many Of those on leased
plantations, especially to those on the
places leased by one man who has leased
five plantations, whose negroes are great
ly neglected and poorly provided for.
The testimony Of quite number of per-
sons fully cOrroborated this statement.
One Of the freedmen, Henson jackson,
working at WiltOn's Plantation, said that
they get corn wherever they can find it
on abandoned plantations; that they fire.
quently have to go as far as Tensas
Bayou, that he has been without bread
for days, that four pounds Of meat per
week is all that is allowed him, that he
pays for his -four, and has worked since
April without receiving any pay or cloth
ing whatever, that he only receives
tickets for actual days work, to be paid
when the crop is sold. Others from the
same farm testified to the same thing,
and labOrers from other plantations gave
similar testimony. None received molas-
ses, rice, or beans, and hominy only
when they chose to make it themselves.
"The poor negroes are everywhere
greatly depressed at their condition.
They all testify that if they were only
paid their little wages as they earn them,
SO that they could purchase clothing, and
were furnished with the provisions pro-
missed they could stand it; but to work
and get po orly paid, poorly fed, and not
dOctOred when sick, is more than they
can endure. Among the thousands whom
| questioned none allowed the least un-