The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-01-04

ling at this timo. between the citizens of
the two sections; and particularly Of those
entrusted with the law-making power. l
did not give Interpretations Of the Frcod-
mems Burean that attention I would have
done if more time had been at my dispo-
sal. Conversations on the subject, how
ever, with officers. connected with the Bu-
reau, led meeto think that in some of the
States its affairs have not been conducted
with good judgment or economy, and that
the belief widely spread among the freed
men of the Southern States that the lands
of their former owners will, at least in
part, be divided among them, has come
from the agents Of this Bureau. This be-
lief is seriously interfering with the will
lingnesso of the freedmen to make contracts
for the coming year. In somc form the
Freedmens Bureau is an absolute neces-
sity, until civil law is established and en-
forced, securing to the freedmen their
rights and full protection. AT present,
however, it is independentof the military
establishment of the country, and seems
to be operated by the different agents of
the Bureau according to their individual
notions. Everywhere General Howard,
the able head of the Bureau, made friends
by the just and fair instructions and ad
vice he gave; but the complaint in South
Carolina was, that when he lett things
went on as before. Many, perhaps the
majority, ofth agents of the Freedmen's
Bureau, advise the freedmen that by their
own industry they must expect to live
TO this end they endeavor to secure en-
ployment for them, and to see that both
contracting parties comply with their en-
gagcments. In some instances, am sorry
to say, the freedmen's mind does not seem
to be disabused of the idea that the freed
men have the right to live without care
or provision for the future. The effect of
the belief in division of lands is idleness
and accumulation in camps, towns and
cities In such cases, 1 think it will be
found that vice and disease will tend to
the determination or great reduction OF
the colored race.
1t cannot be expected that the opinions
held by men at the South for years can be
changed in day, and therefore the
freedmen require for few years, not only
to protect them, but the fostering care OF
those who will give them good counsel,
and on whom they can rely. The Freed
mems Bureau being separated from the
military establishments Of the country,
requires all the expense Of separate
organiza tion One does not necessarily
know what.the other is doing, or what
orders they are acting under. 1t seems
to mo this could be corrected by regarding
every officer on duty with troops in the
Southern States as agents of the. Freed
mems Bureau, and then have all orders
from the head Of the Bureau sent through
department commanders. This would
create responsibility that would secure
uniformity of action throughout the South,
would insure the orders and instructions
from the head of the Bureau being carried
out, and would relieve from duty and pay
a large number OF employees of the Gov
erninent.
L have the honor to be, very respectful
ly, your obedientservant,
u. S. GRANT,
Iieutenant-Gen