The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-12-21

My observations lead me to the conclusion
that the citizens " the Southern States nre
anxious to return to self-kovernment within
they want and require protection
from the Government; that they are In earn.
est In Wishing to do what they think Is re-
4nsred by the dovefnihent--nb humiiiating to-
them rs cttizens-and that Ii such n course
was pointed out. they would pursue It In good
faith. 1t II to be regretted that there cannot
be greater mmingling mt this time between
she eitIxehs Of thu two SECTIONS and particu-
power.
did not give the operations Of the Freed
inenh Bhttau that attention. would hay"
done II more time had been at my disposal.
Conversations OH tho subject. however. with
officers connected with the Bureau lead me to
think that in some of the States It's affairs have
not been ccndAeted with good Judgment or
econoiuy, and that the belief. widely spread
among tho freedmen of the Southern States.
that the lands Of their former owners will, al
least, IN part, be divided among them. has
come from the agents Of this Bureau. This
belief is seriously interfering with the willing
ness of the freedmen to make contracts for the
coming year. In some form, the Freedmen =
Bureau Is an absolute necessity until civil law
Is established and enforced, securing to thr
freedmen their rights and full protection. At
present, however, it is independent Of the mill
tary establishment of the country. and seems
to be operated by the different agents Of the
Bureau according to their individual notions
Everywhere General Howard, the able
head of the Bureau, made friends by
the just and fair instructions and advice
he gave: but the complaint in South
Carolina was. that when he left, things went
on as before Many, perhaps the majority OF
The agents Of the Freedmens Bureau, advise
the freedmen that by their own industry they
must expect to live. To this end they endea-
vor to secure employment for them, and to see
that both contracting parties comply with
their engagements. In some instances, l am
sorry to say, the freedman's mind does not
seem to be disabuscd of the idea that the freed
man has right to live without care or provi-
sion for the future. The effect Of the belief IN
division of land is idleness and accumulation
in camps, towns, and cities In such cases
think it will be found that vice and disease
will tend to the determination or great reduc-
ton of the colOretl race. 1t cannot be expected
that the opinions held by men ut the South for
years can be changed in Il day, and therefore
laws to protect them. but the fostering care OF
those who will give them good counsel, and in
whom they rely.
The Freedmen Bureau, being separa ted
from the military establishment OF the cOun-
try. acquires all the expense of 4 separate or
ganizaton. One does not necessarily know
what the other is doing, or what order the,
are acting under. 1t seems 10 me this could b.
corrected by regarding every officer on dut,
with troops in the Southern States as agents o
derS from the head of fhe Bureau sent through
department commanders. This would create
a responsibility that would secure uniformity
of action throughout the South, would insure
the orders and instructions from the head o
the Bureau being carried out, and would re
lieve from duty and pay large number OF EN-
plOyees Of the Government.
l have the honor TO be, very respectfully
your Obedient servant,
L. :. GRANT, .LieutPnant- General.