The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-11
THE FREEDMEN ~. MARYLAND.

Hundred r." odmen Mt Work-How
"hs sy,r Srs II s.tsd-Tne Crops, DC.
l'o"se .aence OF the Baltimore Americana
r,,h GOVERNMENT FARxs, Nd, August T. 1855.
s,,ncr,S the kindness Of Lieutenant E. +. O'Brien,
seH we we're extended invitation 20 visit and view
working OF the system Of free labor inaugurated
the emancipation proclamation
Taking the government steamer Iolae Captain Benton,
stHnmng over the glisenng waters of the
Chesapeake bay with ITS white sails ng in the
sunlight ITS blue bosom heaving gently to the zephyrs
which waited its surface, the eccentric porpose
here and there dIsporing 10 rs cooling depth and anon
CTCling its white capped waves pleasant change
indeed the close atmosphere OF the Guy coursed
way, not like thing OF lfe'uness it be tesla
animal of the snail spe-esbu still acceptable
"Trip as we pushed for time Although speak
ing somewhat dsfaraeing terms Of the old steamer,
do the captain the Justice 10 say that he
tbutod largely 10 our enjoyment, not being of
pattern the craft he commanded but a modern
VOL model spec men OF the whole souled steamboat
captain
ARRIVAL AT TIE FARMS
Arriving at the month OF the Patuxent river
anchored for the night, and al early dawn up the
Govorumont Farms, passing through rolling country
with good bottom lands, and dotted here and there with
venerable country mansions, with their numerous out
buildings neatly whitewashed and surrounded by UNI
bra@eous Collage We passed on up the river to the
embraced IN the Of Colonel S0;horon the rebel
Citizen who murdered Lieutenant White some few months
since while he engaged in recruiting negroes the
United states from on the plantation This estate
together with that of Joseph Forrest who
pany the rebel service but failed succeed cap
fanny filing, however, subordinate position in the
Confederate service, are occupied by the freedmen.
THIRTY THOUSAND ACRES OCCUPIED.
TIE whole number OF acres constituting the two
estates, and which now known the Government
Farms numbers some thirty thousand of rich
and arabic land, twenty-five hundred of which
now under cultivation, and yielding snug income TO
the government. There s however, large portion
OF wooded land on the farms which will have TO be
cleared before they yield much but allowing
undisturbed there is quite abundance OF
good soil left for cultivation. The work has been well
ant suporntendont, Mr. H. H. d. Byron took charge in
February last and have now growing Of the finest
and tobacco 10 be produced within the State This
latter staple looking fine and has been but little
troubled by the worm, only small portion having been
repanted by reason Of their ravags. There is
ing house now filed with the fragrant weed which is
probably the first crop gancred in the Sate other por
tons Of the crop will not however, ''baze until Octo
Der, having been planted later
Your correspondent, though not exceling eques
trian did manage to keep 'aft' OF the pummel while
are some seven numbered acres OF corn and tobacco
growing the upper farm which have been assured
is a fair specimen Of the rest OF the productions.
EIGHT HUNDRED FREEDMEN.
Lieutenant O'Brien has or eight hundred
freedmen in the government employ who have survived
the transition from 'savc'' to contraband" and have
finally terminated into freedmen with liberty's
wings full nedged, and have not had their equilibrium
upset or their morals affected in the slightest
that could discover To them at work under the
regime would not any apparent change they
the subdued and humble of yore. They
hangsg over them, and yet they work harder beanae
their pockets affected by IT, They under the
VIGILANCE of "gangsman' lected from their
the old torn ''overseer,' like all Southern Institutions
having become or fast growing obsolete The "gangs
man. has charge Of gang Of twenty-five or ,hirtyand
the infactous member of the gang has his pay curacd
the end Of the month This mode works WELL and
do the wOrkmen, with such an uninvtng prospect to
look for as the moon wanes
DISCIPLINE AT TIE FARMs-w AGES a.
The rules for the government OF tho Farms street.
mebehavior rsctiop OF rules being punished by
Dismissal from service, while those who work we'll
ssi hand IL receives Ten dollars FER m;h. while he
saRggman'' gss ftsen d0are Tho being graduated
80 as % suit the sbiay er condition 81 all cnssged
any labor receive merely their clothing
children being semitic school, building having been set
apart sor tbetr and competent teacher engaged
SCHOOLS. ...
There eighty children, ranging in age from
four 10 fourteen years, now receiving tuition on the
open by OF the unhealthy location and lis effect
on the teachers who are uDacclimated. Some Of the
ready been introduced their course OF studies The
promotion and nculcation Of religious exercises is also
children This seems to BE- more entertaining 10 them,
and obtains strictcr attention the part OF the
Quiet Their restless disposition and ret their attention
Cleanliness is Iigidly enforced, both in person and
among the quarters police force having been intro
healthfu condition Of the huts and keep them neatly
whitewashed Every Saturday set apor for the wash
ing Of clothing by the women, and the overhanng and
greasing Of the wagons engaged the pacc by the men,
INDUCEMENTS TO LABOR.
To those who are strict in obcying the rules plot Of
they may wish TO raise; but the superintendent has
fond necessary to prohibit the raising Of pigs and
poultry by the hands, from the fact that there
large OF ratioDs IN support OF these
pets that might have been we'd 10 the government
who have been always allowed that privilege by their
former masters but as general rule they do not
''nursc trouble, but take thnrs they are, without
considering the proprcty OF patching that ideal umbrella
which is to be serviccable that impending rainy
day which poor morias are so apt TO be overaken by
and developed in
TIDE MESS HOUSES.
Soon after taking charge Of TIE farms the superin
tcndent discovered alo that large amount ra,ons,
both Of rameDt and rshmcn', was being barcfcd
away by the hands to outside parties To prevent this
an order prohibiting its continuance was issued and
house established, in which rations issued
bulk, already cooked and up tables Vegcta-
bcs are issued trweeky, and corn bread and pork
forms with occasional mcsscs Of fresh meat the daily
food for the hands The field hands sit at the first table
the plantation bell summons them, the dependents
following at the second table Dinner is served at
O'Clock, and work resumed at two The mess room is
situated ut the end Of long wooden building
hundred feet long by twenty four broad and occupies
one fourth Of the building the rest being occupied
quarters and is built with special view to ventilation
and the health OF the occupants.
THE LAWS OF MARYLAND.
There published in the papers week or so
since communication from tho 'rintendcnt Of the
Farms Lieutenant Brien, addr ssed 10 Governor Brad
ford, complaining Of the refusal Of Justice Alvey
10 be issued warrant for the arrest Of who
charged with having struck coorsd man. the JUS
tce declining to comply the ground that the laws Of
Maryland did not allow negro 10 testify against white
man. The Lieutenant emazed tho law cruel and
UNJUST existing and asked that the magistrate be
moved from Office
Governor Bradford has since replied to the communi-
cation In fleet that Justice Alvey right in his inter-
probation Of the law for such undoubtedly the law
Of the land existing hundred and fifty years and
such must be obeyed until repealed however odous
His Exceency also states that even though the mags
trate wrong he had not the power to remove him.
he was elected by the people and not appointed by him.
CONDITION OF THE FREEDMEN.
In concluding report of what under our OBJ
sevaton, we must give idea OF the condition OF the
freedmen They seem TO be contened and happy far
as could Judge and fully satisfied with their lot
There exceptions usual in all bodies Of men,
whether white black, and those exceptions grow partly
out OF desire for constant change and partly because
they restricted In certain privileges which they for
ncrly enoyedthc raising Of vegetables and poultry
body of these sable malcontents-probably fifteen in
number-came up to the headquarters after work. and
stated their desire TO go back to their old homes Vr
GINA Their only reason for desiring the change