The loyal Georgian., 1866-02-24
A SENSIBLE PLANTER.

We find in the Northampton Free
Press letter from Mobile, from which
we copy tire following incident:
will give you particulars of an in
teresting conversation [ held this morn
ing with very intelligent planter from
Green county, introduced to me by Mr..
as one of the most respects
able and successful planters in that sec
ton, and who had made a good crop the
past season. He told me he had retained
all his negroes with him since their nan
cipation, except one girl, whom he sent
away because she was idle and unfaithful.
When the order came from the Freed>
mems bureau freeing the negroes, he
made up his mind to meet it with entire
calmness and acquiescence called his
negroes together, read the order to them,
and explained to them plainly that they
were all free, and could go where they
pleased, and explained clearly what we're
their rights. He then said they could 90
or they might remain and work for him,
on such terms as they might agree upon.
He would feed and clothe them as usual
and pay all their doctors bills, and in
addition would give them one eighth of
the crop; and, further, when the crop
was made, he would sell their part of the
cotton and corn, and would help them in
dividing the proceeds among them in
proportion to the value of their respective
labor moreover, that he would agree not
to drive any hand away from the planta-
ton, even if they made him angry, with
out first leaving to some of their number
to decide whether it was deserved, and
he would be governed by their decision.
He remark ed that he had a negro over.
seer or driver, who was a man of remark
able good sense, and who exercised much
influence with his negroes; that he was
in the habit of consulting with him in all
matters relating to his plantation; and
to this man he was greatly indebted for
his success during this year-indeed, he
doubted if he could have succeeded as well
without him.
After bis talk with his negroes, they
collected together in the evening for con.
sultation upon his proposition. Their
decision was that Massa D had never
deceived them, and they believed he never
would So they agreed to go to work
on his terms, and they worked well.
He has not yet made a contract for
the coming year, but is confident he shall
experience no trouble, as the neighbour
ing negroes are coming to Sc if he will
engage them also, aud he expressed en-
) tire confidence of making a good crop the
coming year. He remarked, however,
that his case was not a common one.
His neighbors had great trouble to retain
any of their negroes, and very few re-
tanned many. On my inqui-ing why
others did not succeed as we'll as himself,
he went into truthful exclamation. He
said that but few planters had the Cd
sense to accommodate themselves wisely
to their new circumstances, so as to
secure the confidence and sympathy of
their negroes; they have been so long
accustomed to govern and deal with
them as slaves that they do Lot under.
stand and respect properly the new rights
and feelings of the freedmen, and lose
their confidence and old mes are much
less successful than younger ones.
Mr.. remarkes emphatically
that he did not believe any dishonest man
could succeed in employing negroes; they
seemed to comprehend them with wonder
full discernment, and like all ignorant
people, al hough easily Influenced where
they had entire faith, their distrust was