The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-08-09

work, which he had momentarily abandoned in gooc
earnest In most the planters will offer share
Of the crops instead OF money wages, as this Is tho
only available means at their disposal
Having discovered disposition on the part of many
bad to take advantage of the liberal policy III
tended to be pursued by the government, was com
PEELED order to prevent great distress and suffering
among the freedmen to issue circular, which was
approved by Gen. Herron notifying planters that the
practice which had been commenced of driving from
their plantations men, and children the help
less the aged and infrn without discrimination would
be permitted and if persisted in would be dealt
with as violation OF military orders-tha the freed
were justly entitled to support during the re-
mander of the year from the crops which their labor
had produced 1t gives me great pleasure to be able
to report that al the first of the month there had been
drawn raons from the government for the support
of the freedmen here. Perceiging that there would
be many destitute freedmen left to care FOR themselves
in Of Sickness applied to Gen Heron for per
mission to establish Freedman's Hospital This
granted, aud was authorized to employ surgeon to
take charge of the same, and in few days we shall
be able to provide for the sick
The following is description Of the kind of print
ing which it has been necessary to have done by the
presses here:
Printing Blank Contracts See form enclosed marked A.
Receipts, B.
Posters Z" q" c.
Z" Notices to Planters, D.
g Labor Regulations, E.
The amount of work done and the cost of the same
cannot now determine. To defray this expense, a
tax of one dollar has been assessed upon planters
hiring ten hands, and fifty cents upon those hiring
less number and my agents aud the provost marshas
have been instructed to charge fee of one dollar for
every get of contracts filed up by them or their clerks
BY the aid of the thus collected hope to de-
fray the entire expenses Of the bureau here Soon af
ter my arrival a delegation of colored men from the
city called at my office, and explained to them the
nature OF their relations to the government, and the
object of the treedmens bureau One of their mum
Der replied, aud to show my surprise at finding among
the freedmen one Of such capacity and to give the
views and feelings of colored man. l quote his
speech, which was substantially as follows
We are pleased to learn that we are now to have
the protection and assistance of the government Be
fore the war We looked upon the United States gov
erument as government Of oppression and regarded
England and other enlightened European nations as
the real conseryators of human liberty but are
satisfied, after four years war, that We live under
free and just government. The country has been pu
ried, and some of her best blood has been shed to
give us freedom We looked upon Mr.. Lincoln as the
greatest and best man that lived and greatly de-
plored the sad event that took him from u.s. The Ia
Dor regulations contain nothing that is Objectionable
10 US The colored men of the country have always
oeen accustomed to labor, and if have built up
others and made them prosperous II all the improve
meats OF this part OF the country the results OF
our labor; if we could make masters rich cannot
We make ourselves rich We understand that we are
o labor for ourselves; that this is the boon that free
iom grants us. regard labor as religion. We arc
inder great obligations to YOU sir, for yonr kind at
entions and efforts in our behalf We have ever been
,aent have waited for many years for this oppor
unity to speak for ourselves and trusting in the Wis
lon and goodness Of a just God, we will yet be pa
lent"
have met the freedmen at their churches on two |
occasions, and improved the opportunity enlighten
hem upon their duties free men, and am well salts
led that in this way have contributed much towards
living them thorough understanding of their posi-
ion and their duties at the present hour.
In closing, desire to say that under great OBJ
gations to Major-Gcu. Heron for the kind, cordial
nd valuable assistance rendered me in carrying out |
ay plans while he remained in command and, aso to
Brig Gen. Veatch, for the same favors, since his arr
al here.
Very respectfully,
four obedient servant,
W b. STiCkNEY