The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-09-11
COMMUNICATIONS.
[ Correspondence Of the Day Book. I
FORTRESS MONROE. Sept. sth


DEAR DAY Book:
l arrived here yesterday evening, on the
Adelaide, without accident, and this morning
'wended my way, on foot, to what was once
the lovely village of Hampton Numerous.
indeed, were the cafes, restaurants and houses
of entertainment, that greeted mine ewes as [
made my journey Hitber but none were so
tempting as to stop me for moment, so anx-
ious was to gaze upon what is left of the
"old town" And, when reached it, imagine
if you can, my feelings 1t had been over
four years since / walked its streets, in the
midst Of peace and quiet, and in vain did l
look for some old familiar tree, beneath whose
branches l had, in youth, passed so often on
my way to the 'old school-housep Verify, l
could not refrain from exclaiming Tempus
fugit ct Temporal mutantilr But l will not
occupy much more of your valuable space
upon this branch of the subject-suficient is
it for me to say, that sad indeed are the
changes which time and war have made in this
once lovely, happy spot 1t may well be said
of it as was said of Rome:
Roma, Roma, Roma
Non q pin come era prima!
There are now some few very good looking
houses In the town. Among others, I may
name those of MIR. Kennon Whiting, an old
and highly respected citizen, and Mr. Samuel
Cumming. A hotel has also been built and
Is now ready for the reception of guests
1t may not be generally known to your
readers that large meeting of the Freedmen
has recently been held in the town of Hamp-
ton. A brief synopsis of the proceedings of
that meeting may not be undressing VIM.
B. Taylor, colored, was called to the Chair,
and Peter Pryor made Secretary 1t was
unanimously l"- "i
Resolved, "That the report of the commit
tee of the previous meeting, to take the census
OF our people within the corporate limits of
Hampton, and upon the adjoining farms of
Sinclair and Shields, is entirely truthful, and
we approve and adopt the same"
These two farms contain about 1000 acres and
1t appears from the report of the committee
that there are now residing upon these farms
four thousand five hundred freedmen. The
town OF Hampton contains about one fourth
OF the population above enumerated They
have store OF their own, managed by So
clety OF their own, for the benefit of the freed
men. The report further affirms chat these
farms will yield better and richer crops, than
ever known before under the system of
slavery" 1t concludes with the following
words and resolutions: "In the midst of our
happiness and prosperity, the former owners
OF these lands have returned, and are seeking
by every means in their power to take from
us our happy homes, and impose their condi-
tons upon us. Therefore, ere. AZ.
"ReSolUed, That we will not leave our happy
homes unless compelled to do so by legal
authority; that we will purchase or lease of
| the United States Government it's interests in
| these lots; that we will oppose in all legal
ways the opening of the DEGREES of confsca-
| ton that we hail the Freedmens Bureau as
wise and benifcent institution, and we pro-
mise that nolhing shall be wanting on our
part to make as aoorthy of the great boon of
freedom, and also the granting and enjoyment
| OF equality before the law and equal rights
Of suffrage at the 6aHot-bor.
"Resot1ed, That we employ Calvin Pepper,
Esq, OF Norfolk city, to act as our attorney in
all matters pertaining to these lands" ~
| | am well acquainted with Messrs. Sinclair
| and Shields. They were both highly respected
and honorable citizens of this county--the one
farmer, the other physician. They now
claim their right to their property. Will they
| get it :? 1T remains to be SEEN for we are
now, it seems, in the hands of the niggert
Capt. Williams, resident of this county,
has recently been tried by the military authori-
ties here, for aiding and abetting the enemy
| during the recent rebellion, and sentenced to
three years confinement and fine of $1,000
Hon Jos. Segar was his counsel.
There is but little news here-"all quiet.
| Mr.. Segar offers for rent his dwelling house
| garden, and lot Of three acres attached to it.
| have not yet visited "Slab Gty"-will try
and give you description Of it in my next
The weather is very hot, and the mosquitoes
are by far more ferocious than in our city.
| In haste. More anon S.
| o nrxr.r :. - ~ 1919.