Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1866-07-04
NEW SERIES-vOL. VINO. SD

each we could, without doubt, obtain
)fiicial information as to the workings
)f this settlement, but in the absence
of the records, we can only report
such facts as are within the knowl-
edge of General Tilson and other Off
GERS on duty in the department.
On taking charge of this settlement
Mr.. Tiffany hired twenty-five freed
men as a guard, armed them with
United States muskets, and used them
70 proront any ruhito man entering
the settlement. Even United States
who had not Mr.. Tiffany's
pass, were halted and were refused
the use of the government boat to
cross the Ogeechee River. This guard
of twenty-five men, who served the
entire season, were TO be paid out of
the proceeds of the rice crop raised
by the freedmen of the settlement.
Mr.. Tiffany gave them certificates for
the amount due TO them, which GER
tifcates they still hold, but for which
they are unable to get either rice or
money.
All the freed people of this colony
were supplied during the season with
government rations, which were to be
paid for out Of their crops.
We were informed by the Bureau
officers of the Department that mono
of these rations have ever peen repaid.
A very considerable crop of rice was
made by the freedmen, and Mr.. Tiffa-
ny, the agent, afterwards advertised
sixty thousand bushels oft for sale.
General Tison, who had in the in
terim assumed command Of the Bu-
reau for Georgia, seeing the advertise
ment, ordered the sale to be suspended,
and notified Mr.. Tiffany that only
bonded officers were authorized to sell
government property. What dispos-
ltion was eventually made of the rice
crop, or who receivedthe profits of it,
we were unable to ascertain. Mr.. Tiffa-
ny shortly after this, retired whether
voluntarily or otherwise, can only be
determined by records, which are not
within our reach. Many OF the freed
people became disheartened, volun-
tarily abandoning their Immigrants,
and are now working under contracts
| for the owners of the land, or the per-
sons who have rented the plantations
from land owners. We have mention
ed these particular cases as indicating
the condition of the freedmen occupy
ing the Sea Islands and the coast un-
der Gen. Sherman's order.
Our personal observations of the
evidence we have taken, and the in
quiries we have been obliged to mako
to supply the place of records, have
convinced us that the condition of the
freedmen Of these settlements, while
in charge of General Saxton, was such
as to give but little hope that, under
tho policy pursued by that officer, they
would ever have become selfsupport-
ing, even with the fertile lands on
which they were located, placed at
their disposal free of rent or taxes.
! The failure of General Saxton's ad-
ministration resulted, from variety
of causes, among which may be cnum
Grated:
The unnecessary continuance of
government support to the freedmen,
which tended to increase their natural
improvidence, and to encourage habits
Of idleness.
Keeping them under such guardian
ship and tutelage that they were dis
ciplined to make proper exertions for
their support, or improvement Teach
ing them to distruss all white men,
but those who had immediate control
over them, or who came among them
with passes from the Freedmen's Bu-
reen, thus preparing them to fall an
easy prey 10 the sharpers, who after
ward obtained access to them under
the guise of friendship, took advan.
3 tage of their credulity, and fraudu-
lcntly appropriated their crops. Their
, inexperience in providing for their
!, own support in managing business for
a themselves.
! 1t is not in the power Of Generals
Tilson and Scott, until crop has been
raised under their own respective
I administrations,to to materially improve
! tho condition Of the freedmen on the
Sea Islands, although these officers
have effected salutary reforms in the
habits of the blacks and in their dis.
position to labor, and have been in
strumental in removing from their
: minds many of the absurd ideas which
y had boon instilled among them. Idle
a ness, disoord, and bitter prejudicC
8 against the white people still exist
. The extent TO which they were de
. luded by the few white men who haC
u intercourse with them is almost in
: credibls. Among the evidence takcI
!" in reference to their condition, anC
which bears directly on the point, il
the statement of distinguished gen
:, eral officer, who was in command of
>, district embracing part Of the island