The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-28
THE FIR { E D W { NJ.
Affairs in Virginia and the
Mississippi Valley.
Prices Paid Them and Their Pros
perity Generally.
.
TIE MARRIAGE CODE OF SLAVERY.
rho Preedmsns Bureau Arrangts Rules Of
Marriage for the Negroes
General SaxtOn's Orders on the
Subject.
i5 f &c. &c. &c.
TIE MARRIAGE CODE OF SLAVERY
Frecdnien's Affairs in the Mississippi
valley.

FreConten's Affairs In the MIssAssAPPA
- Valley.
Inspector General Strong, Of the Freedmens Bureau,
reports fun his inspection in the Mississippi valley as
Sss az vicksburg His statements indicate the most
patient laborious and searching investigation upon his
part He has observed the freedmen at their work, ex
amincd them in their cabins, talked with them by
hundreds in regard all their various employments
listened friend and foe taken the statements OF the
encers in charge and the accusations any had to make
aga INST them called up witnesses OF all characters and
nom all quarters and sfed everything to the bottom.
50 his examinations have been in the territory for
merly under the general supervision Of Colonel John
Eaton, Jr
General Strong states that before entering upon his
inspection certain parties had taken pains to convince
him that Colonel Eatons administration was but his.
tory Of ouagcs and abuses upon negro race and
gigantic frauds upon the government In place of this
he 6nds the people in good condition, and is confident
that Colonel Eaton has committed Of dishonesty
Of intentional injustice to any one white black;
and says that the condition Of the freedmen in spite Of
che disturbed Of things and all the preudices and
ANTIQUITIES clearly shows no failure but patient skful
honest and untrng effort to solve the intricate questions
presented, and to do justice to all.
The work is Observation-Disclosures are in excellent
condition The actual paupers cared for, but all
possible methods have been devised render all self
supporting. Assistants everywhere at work securing
the negro his freedom; chance cultivate land indie
pendontly to labor for good wages the family rela
lions good; the injustice Of local courts and old
prejudces resisted the negro made know what II
ie TO appear before an officer give his testimony
where will be received valid in favor Of against
that Of any other man of whatever color.
General Strong special attention to the accounts
Of Colonel Eaon's dsbursng officers, Colonel Thomas,
and afterwards Lieutenant Perry, and finds them all
right He pronounces the set Of books perfect, and
says:-T have not seen complete and satisfac-
tory set of books anywhere The monthly accounts
rent Of receipts, expenditures, and accompanying alb
stracts and vouchers are correct in every particular
The General delighted with the condition and pros
sand acres Of cotton and corn are under cultivation.
Five hundred acres compose the Home Farm,
where those particularly dependent are helped to
support Themselves. The remainder Of the land is
divided among the people into tracts Of from eight
70 fifty acres, each farmer thus conducting an indie
pendent enterprise In all there about five thousand
people upon the Bend The crops in splendid
dition and promise an extraordinary yield The charac
Colonel Thomas in his management Of the perpexing
affairs under lis control are highly commended. by
Dr yet consistent course he has won the admiration and
respect Of all friends and the fear Of all enemies Of
the freed people. In spite Of the contempt usually
bestowed by the old citizens upon those charged with the
edge his worth and speak Of him Can accomplished
and courteous gentleman He has stronghold upon
secures from them the same treatment Of The black abor
that the white employees receive at tho North His aim
70 elevate The peopicncresse Their self respect by
end education, and Lie success thus far has been un
questionable.
TO THE EDITOR OF TIE HERALD.
OFFICE SUPERINTENDENT CT REFUGEES, &c.
DISTRICT No. !, STATE OF VIRGINIA,
FORTRESS MONROE, Va, August IL, 1893
m-In tho HERALD Of the It'll inst, In q eommunica
ZION from your correspondent at Fortress Monroe, Va
On the subject Of Labor and tho Condition Of the
yreedmen' in this section Of country, notice
statements which, without explanation calculated
pgouce false impressions upon the public mind and are
noreover, reflection upon the officers Of the
yrsedmens Bureau such state Of things could not
long exist without culpabe neglect nexcusable stu
psdity on their part as there abundant at
thsf command 10 enforce the orders Of this bureau in
shssi counties, which forbid absolutely such a
stAts Of things your correspondent alleges 70
exist That your correspondent made tho state
uen0 contained in his communication with
ne best Of motives and in full belief Of their rehfu
nese do not for moment doubt but that he Ia, sed
necessary enable him TO give intelligent and truth
ful representation am equally certain. II is true that
she people inhabiting those counties tAccomac North
smpton and Mathews are bitterly opposed 10 the negro
Sslng allowed his freedom and testify in
q against themselves but that they able to Illustrate
SAe government In the establishment of these principles
and 70 successfully thwar It's benevolent designs must
most respectfully deny. Indeed, am prepared to
s,sry A. s 70 ,be being from Ave 70 ten
dollars per year. for the labor Of an able bodied
sar, " your correspondent had known he could
have informed the public that these "unjust and
unconscionable contracts,n which made under
the sanction Of the commanding officers Of these
rsau, which assumed the rcns Of government these
subjects late June Of this year. and the sub officers
tho bureau in these counties had been ordered TO mott
~ all persons interested that suitable wages would be
collected Of all who employed freedmen refugees for
abe entire season. chasing their estimates on the value
q labor before the war when the money went to the
Owner Of slaves 90 cmpoycd;' which would average
about ten dollars per NOTWITHSTANDING, quarters and
on TOT ne 80 sDod ssSo IL a
sloshins 60 But \ the contracts be examined, Il win
b found that very many Of them receive the very re-
spectacle sum Of hundred and nifty dollars per year.
shus showing average Of twelve dollars per month";
which quite sacicnt for the support Of the largest
families In these counties schools are In successful
operation. Negroes testify a. against the white in
courts established BY this bureau, under orders Of the
was Departments they pass and epsss at pleasure only
they bear their own expenses Children restored
20 thor parents and men 20 to the houses Of former
owners and. csm their wives and take them to their
government Lands rented to them shops arc
erected for them and they alone enjoy the benefit Of
their labor and this Notwithstanding the "nery oppos
licn' OF the white people Of these counties Negroes are
mot allowed TO be tried by civil courts Virginia.
count Of their laws not admitting the testimony Of the
thrust In by the civil magistrates and their complanans
ere informed that they bring their before the
bureau Courts where equal privileges enjoyed and all
this these same counties referred 10 by
INT
These statements are equally true Of all the sixteen
counties comprising my district. I do not doubt but
thee may be individual Of injustice brought 10
she notice Of the proper officers but repeat that they
not be ruhfuly said, then, that the negroes still
virtually slaves for such privileges enjoyed by
the coorcd people before the ware
will close by saying that think careful inveeti-
CATION Of the facts far my district concerned
land think tho same Ia true also Of the South gene
saly tho friends OF freedom will bc satisfied that the
government through this bureau seconded II is
heartily by the military, are successfully working Out
the great problem Of universal human freedom; thai
there are abundant grounds for hope and for Dc
epsir
By giving publication 10 these statements you win con
Or favor on the friends Of freedom Very respectfully
your obedient servant, A. y FbAG0,
captAn aud Assistant Qusrtermaster and superintend
ent Refugees, &c.
Marriage Rules for the Freedmen.
GENERAL ORDBRs-N0. 3.