The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1865-11-08
CIRCULAR
CIRCULAR
70 he Freedmen Of Western North Carot'-
ma. and adjoining Districts Of Soufn
Caroline.
Headquarters Freejmen's Bureau,
Charlotte, N. c., Oct. !. 1869. }

Knowing that many Of you have wrong
impressions relative to your freedom, SEND
this Circular that il NAV correct many err
roneous ideas which are operating very
much against ysur Interests. have learn
ed that many Of you have the foolish idea
that at Christmas you are TO receive lands,
horses aud farming utensils; that you ex.
meet the United States Government 10 give
10 you a portion Of your former masters
nroper,y or plantation. AS to this, let me
saw to YOU all that the Government las no
land in this portion Of the State. and that
all plantations and property Of all kinds
Except the negro) belong 10 your masters
as heretofore--the Government having no
claim upon them whatever. ANY Of you
having such expectations, must at once and
forever abandon such preposterous and ab-
surd ideas; and any person or persons try
ing to make you believe anything Of the
kind are either fools or kRayes. and are
imposing upon your ignorance.
The Government has given you your
freedom, and you must not expect anything
further from II. The Government expects
YOU TO labor and work out your own saliva
ton. and unless you do you go back % sia-
very or condition far verse. Any prop.
-srty that you may possess hereafter you
must acquire BY labor. industry and hon
.sty. AT the end of this year.. those who
have remained with their former masters,
and worked faithfully. will be paid liber
ally for their labor, and will be able TO pro-
vide clothing and food for Themselves aud
families for portion OF another year, and
will, in the mean time. ii they have 50 con
Quoted themselves as to gain the confidence
and respect OF their employers, be able @
retain their places fer another year, or 70
obtain of others good situations and good
paw. Many Of those who have left their
former homes and idled away the proper
season for the making Of crops, will, a. The
end of the year, find themselves destitute
Of food and clothing, and in situation iar
worse than slavery. A long winter Is be-
tore you, aud unless YOU provide Tor that
time your families must suifer-yea, many
must perish.
Many Of you are under the impression
that the Government will feed you. This
is not so. Government will not feed any
who have had an opportunity and are able
10 labor. You have had four months Of
freedom, and all that wished could get work
for themselves and families; and those who
have not improved the past four months Of
heir freedom must abide by the conse-
quehces.
Ere long the troops will be Withdrawn
Il n. If -
vide for and protect yourselves. By your
labor YOU can provide. and By your good
behaviour you will secure protection. You
must know that your freedom has taken .
=. way that interest which your former mas.
tiers had for you. When in slavery you
were their property-they valued YOU a
dollars and cents-and il was their inter
est TO feed, clothe, and nurse yor in sick.
ness; but now that interest has gone The
responsibilities that then rested sn.a them
row falls upon you and you oalf four
first step now should be TO establish FL
yourselves a character for industry ani in.
irgrity, and unless you do 80 your fate
will be that Of the North imsrican lndisr
your race will pass away AID 100 will b,
known only IN name.
Then LET me entreat Of go, s. friend
ere il is too late. TO think q the.e ihiugs-
10 look upon your position !. i il, an,
make the resolve that yoG vii make goos
tame and place in tbs great and free 20
yernmenf.
The Government las guaranteed TO yol
certain rights aud privileges. In thos,
rights you VIII be protected. Yoar right
consist in your freedom, which is freedom
10 make your own contracts, 10 receive tn
benefit Of your own labor, TO choose you
own employer. TO keep and govern VOC
own families. 70 educate your children, an
20 Worship God after your own manner
The zane PAYERS tat gave yos these right
and privileges have imposed lpsn ,or GER
tsia aod new duties, compiling yOp 10 la
Dor TO suppolt year ftaili,s, 10 obey th'
laws Of your county, 10 shaw respet ant
cheerful obedience 20 ysar employers, L