Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-05-09
The Crying Necessity. An Appeal from
Wilmington.
LETTEr FROM REV. HORACE JAMES.
WILMINGTON. n. c., April 5, 1867

LETTEr FROM REV. HORACE JAMES
WlLMNoroN, N. c., April 5, 1865.
ReU. C. c. Lgh
DEAR BRoTnER Il have been three days in
Wilmington, and find world of work to do in
settling, clothirg feeding, and educating the
colored people and refugees Of this new district
| brought with me from Morebead, Mrs. Il. L.
| Piper, one OF your teachers, and We came in
company with several sent by the American
Missionary ASSOCIATION, all of whom will imme-
diately enter on duty, bunder the general super
vision of Mr. Samuel s. Ashley, who is my as
sisIant superintendent for this district, and a
man long and iavorbly known BY the Christian
community. How many teachers will be need
ed for the Cape Fear River, can not yet Tell.
A census will be taken as soon as the surglng
waves Of population become little still. Six
are on the ground, not less than three times that
number will soon be wanted. But tho most
pressing want just now is presented IN the IN
closed letter Of Brig. Gen. Uawlty, who com
nands the district, and is man OF warm sym
pathes with the freedmen, and one who will
| give W all needed facilities in carrying on our
work
We do not propose to collect these thousands
OF refugees into The town, nor put them into
camps, but settle them on some fine, large,
abaloned plantations Of corn and rice, lying
near the rlser in the vicinity OF Fort Anderson,
some eight o. ten miles down from W imlngtOn,
on the west bank Of the Cape Fear River. But
the rice season is upon us, some have already
planted, though it will do to put in this crop az
late az June 10th. We want H0U quantities OF
axes heavy killing hoes, the narrow hoe to
make trenches Tor the rice in the top Of the pre-
pared ridges, good strong spades, and hammers
and nails for cabin building, a few plowi Tor the
corn land, and u few froes with which to rive
out boards, also some butt hinges for doors and
windows.
We must set these people al work on these rich
| and ample plantations Immediately. IL will not
do to lUse this season. The new Freedmen 8
Bureau will not get to running before dog days,
should Judge by present appearances, and we
can walt for it, Do, my dear sir, stir up our
friends at the North to give us some help at
once, with which to help ourselves Govern
ment will have to feed these people I'LL their
crop is secured but no longer, u zoe give them
now IN III tools and material.
Blankets, shoes and clothing are also needed
for the people from the country, who are very
destitute indeed, though the colOred people in
town seem pretty well clothed.
We intend to issue tools, etc to these people,
charging them at cost price, they to pay the
same after their crop is made but, If unsuccess-
tut, not TO be collected, OF course. Send every
thing directed to capt. Horace James, A. Y.
NJ, and send II possible direct, 1t Is 80 bar to
get things through Morehead or Newbern, now
that all supplies for Sherman army 90 through
that wa. | sh,ll be here often and oyetseeihe
whole work. Mi Ashley W Il act Eff ,iently in
my absence. THIS settlement at For, Anderson
viii be "a grand place for schools, but viii
write you more q this after have visited the
spot
our first and crying necessity is tools and sup
plies. Wilmington Is perfectly denuded Ol sueh
thiDgs, and the Government has none on hand
We are to have good storehouse on the wharf
and all needIul oihc, room. We have mdgHlf
cent quarters Tor teachers, and q good beginning
made. Tue way is open Tor all, and the Cape
Fear River is very promising opening for al
our operations. Let us not fail 10 strike hard
blow here. remain faithfully yours,
IloRAeK JAMES,
Capt. and A T. NJ, Sup., etc