The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1865-12-02
Circular to the Freedmen of Western
North Carolina. and adjoining Dis.
triot of South Carolina.
HEADQUARTERS, s.
FREEDMEN's BUREAU,
CHARLOTTE, N. c., Oct. !, 1865.

dom, send this Circular that it may
correct many erroneous ideas which are
operating very much against your in.
terests. have learned that many of
you have foolish ideas that at Christmas
you are to receive lands, horses and
farming utensils; that you expect the
United States Government to give you
Il portion of your, masters property or
plantation. As to this, let me say to
you all that the Government has 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 ofyou having such expectations,
must at once and forever abandon such
prep ,sterous and absurd ideas, and any
person or persons trying to make you
believe anythinS of the kind, are either
fools or knavrs, and are imposing upon
your ignorance.
The Government has given yon your
freedom, and you must not expect any
thing further from it. The Govern.
ment expects you to labor and work out
yonr salvation, aud unless you do, you
go back to slavery or a condition far
worse. Any property that you may
possess hereafter you must acquire by
labor, industry and honesty. At the
end of this year, those who have re.
nfained with their former masters and
worked faithfully, will be paid literally
for their labor, and will be able to pro.
vide clothing and food for themselves
and families frr another year, and will,
in the meantime, if they have SO con.
Quoted themselves as to gain the conf.
dence and respect Of tHa;r &nrioyero 10
able t" te,aiTi their places for another
wear, or to obtain OF others coed situa..
tiogs and good pay. Many uf those
who have left their former homes and
idled away the proper season for the
making of crops, will at the end of the
year, find themselves destisute of food
and clothing, and in situation far
worse than slavery. A long winter is
before you, and unless you provide for
that time your families must suffer-yea,
many must perish.
Many Of you are under the impression
that the Government will feed yon.
This is not so, Government will not feed
any who have had an opportunity and
are able to labor. You have had four
months of freedom, and all that wished
could get work for themselves and
those Mo have not improved the past
four m9atls of their freedom mus. abide
by the consequences.
Ere long the troops will be withdrawn
from the StaaeS You will be left to
provide Tor and protect yourselves. By
your labor you tMA provide, and by
your good bahaviourSN@, will secure
protection. You must kiiqg,p that your
freedom has taken away That interest
which your former masters chad for you
When in slavery yon were their prohey.
ty-they valued you as dollars ana
cents-randit it was their interest to feed,
clotRR, and nurse in sickness bnt now
that interest has gone. The responsi.
bililes that then rested npon them, now
fall upon you and yon only. Your first
step now should be to establish for your.
selves a character for industry and in.
tegrity. and unless you do SO, your fate
will be that Of tie North American In.
dian sonr race win pass away and then
You will be known only in name.
Then let'me entreat you. as friend,
ere 1t is too late. TO think Of these things
Ito look upon the position. as tits, and
to make good name and a place in this
great and free government.
The gover9pent has guaranteed to
you cerayn. rights and privileges In
those rightly you will be protected.
Your rigb$ consists in your freedom to
make Ysliif own contracts, to receive the
beneft of your lsbor. 10 choose your own
employer, to keep and govern .yonr
own family, to educate your children,
and to worship God after your own
n,aaaer 8 The senIe powers that gave
you these rights and privileges have iIn
posed upon you. certain aud new duties,
II /. r. g