Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1865-07-08
Important correspondence.

GALVESTON, juno 25th, 1860.
IT, C5! Il. &, Lagghlia, Provost Narsha'
GaRer0L:
slG-Wc beg leave to suggest that the
liliou,icg o emancipation iaay be greatly
l.ss2ucl ii you will give us officially tho
s..usnuc, OF your romagkl 10 tho Mayor of
Galveston, rs reported in Flake > Bulletin
Of the 22nl inst.
"rApt The desire Of the authorities was,
that the negroes shoUld make contracts with
their former tsters for any consideration
agreeable to both parties aud that the par
ties SO CONTRACTING woull be compelled to
carry out their contracts in good faith"
We think that the difficulties would b
further removed if YOU would add officially
any other practical suggestion.
There is danger now, that thcplantatons
may be broken up, and the negroes thrown
as an ntolerable burden on the community
simply from misunderstanding the orders
and wishes of the Government. The PLAN
ters are anxious TO continue their planta-
tions, but from orders issued in other States
have been led to believe that they can keep
the negroes only by paying specified rates.
In present times and untavorabe crops
now growing, they are afraid to undertake
this. The negroes are mostly willing and
desirous to remain on the plantations on
fair terms. but believe thatif rates are pre-
scribed which planters cannot pay, th y
and their families must be driven from
their homes to perish If free, certainly
they should be allowed the first privilege
freedom, 10 dispose of their labor on fair
terms, and consult their own interest and
happiness, especially when the course they
wish to pursue is in accordance with the
peace and prosperity of the country, and
as we now believe, with your wishes, and
those Of the planters.
Very respectfully,
Your ob't svts,
II. WASHINGTON,
l.. o. LYNCH,
JAS. SORLEY
OFFICE pnov. MAR. GEN, DIsr. TEXAS,
Galveston, June 25 1865.
C5l. IT. Washington, e. 0. Lynch and Jas.
SOrtey, Esq;
SIRs---In compliance with request in
your letter of this date, now before nc,
have the honor to make the following state
mcnt of my views Of the intended policy
Of the Government as to the matters allu l.
ed to in said letter:
lst. would direct your attention to the
following General Order:
HEAD QUARTERS DIsr. OF Texas,
Galveston, June 10, 1865.
General Orders No. g.
The people in Texas arc informed that
in accordance with the proclamation from
the Executive of the United States, 'all
SLAVES are free This involves an absolute
of personal rights, and rights of property
between former masters and slaves, and the
connection heretofore existing between
them becomes that between employer and
hired llborer.
The frccdmen are advised to remain quiz
city at their homes and work for wages
They are informed that they will not be
allowed 70 colectat military posts and that
they will not be supported in idleness eth.
er there or elsewhere
BY order Of MAJ. GEN. GRANGER.
Signed, F. W. EMERY,
Mai. s. i. \. G.,
2nd. As p result Of said liberation, per-
sons formerly slaves are guaranteed the
righf tom lke coHtracts disposing Of their
services TO tbcir former owners, O. other
parties. bal sith the distinct understand
iEg tina 'hey are employees, ana Shall be
held responsible tor the performance Of
their part Of the contract 70 the same eX.
tent that the employer is bOunl to pay the
consider tion fer the l..bor performed.
3rl. Unless other regulations are pro-
mulgated by the "Freedmen Bureau, the
amount and kind Decentralization for labor
shall be entirely a matter OF contract be-
tween employer AMI employee.
4ih. All colored persons are earnestly en-
Joined to remain with their former masters
until permanent arrangementscanb be male
and thus secure tho crop Of the present sea-
sun, and at the same time promote the in
terest Of themselves, their employer and
the commonwealth.
9th. Persons formerly slaves will not be
subsisted by the Government in idleness at
any military post-and all violations cf
good order, or laFlessness upsn their part
will subject the offenders to prompt and
speedy Punishnent.
oh. l. certainly is reasonable inter-
probation Of tie rights Of partiss cgnins
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