The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-05-03
Especial Correspondence Of the Day Book.
Mathews COunty-Wheat .Crops-The
Freedmen-Oyster Fundum, &c.

MATHEWS COUNTY, April S0th, 1866.
EDITOR DAY Book In my former letter
attempted to give your readers some idea
of affairs in this portion of the State; and
succeeded so imperfectly, that l feel con-
strained to again trespass on your space.
Yesterday, being the Sabbath, had the
pleasure of attending the Disciples Church
at the Village of "Westville," ard heard a
most appropriate, able, and interesting dis
course, on the "duties and qualifications of o.
ders," from the lips of the Rev Mr.. Will.
Hams, it being tho occasion for the election Of
an elder for the Church. | also had the
pleasure, in the evening, of hearing Mr.. Mar
tin an able and eloquent young divine of the
Methodist denomination, who bids fair to be-
come an ornament to the Pulpit.
In speaking of "Westville," in my last, |
failed to state, that there may be found there,
among other attractions, a photograph gal
lery and good school, The latter is presi-
ded over by gentleman of the best intel
lectual capacity-an old acquaintance and
school-mate of mine, and one whose expe-
rience as teacher Of youth, and moral char
acter, should commend him to the hearty
support of the goodly inhabitants of this Sec
ton.
regret to state that the wheat crop will
be small indeed in this county There will
be some corn and oats made, and very little
wheat. In fact, think it would be difficult
matter to find twenty-five acre patch any
where in this section. The uncertainty which
seems to vail the future, the impossibility OF
procuring labor upon fair and equitable rates,
and the risks which the farmer has to O. :
counter, together with their present pecuniary
distress, may be put down as the chief cause
of this.
| am informed that it is almost impossible
| to obtain labor here, except upon shares.
| This is partnership business carried on upon
such scale as leaves to the farmer but little
hope of reaping any benefit from the cultiva.
ton of his soil. This county has not been
free from its Peppers and Bakers; the minds
Of the freedmen" have been filled with evil
intentions towards their former owners, and a
deep hatred has been engrsfted in their
bosoms towards the whites, by the Infamous
representations of these notorious scamps.
Before their appearance here, am informed,
the two races seemed to progress we'll to-
| gether; they attended the churches of the
whites, and seemed to be willing to work at
fair rates of compensation. Happily the county
has been able to rid itself of one of these in
dividuals-a man, by the name of Bergfeltz
agent of the Freedmen's Bureau, whose in
sulting, notorious behavior towards the peo-
| pie, secured his removal. and the appoint
ment Of one against whom can hear no COM
plant.
But, one of the promoters of this bad feel
|. ing between the races, still exists, in the
| person of Massachusetts, negro--a most
| hideous looking specimea Of humanity, if
| there is anything human about him, whose
| face is horribly SCARED, and whose nasal o.
gan is almost entirely oblterated. He came
| here, It's said, for the purpose of teaching the
| little Freedmen the rudiments Of addition and
satisfaction, but, it seems more probable, that
he came with tbs intention Of adding to his
own wealth by subtractiag from the pockets
| OF those whose children he came to teach. On
the 9th of March last his schoolhouse was de.
stroyed by fire, and he Immediately repaired
to the great "head centre" of the Freedmen
| the town of Hampton, and there reported the
good people of Mathews county as "house-
burners am in ormed that the Agent OF
the Bureau here has examined the matter and
acquitted the people Of all implication in the
burning of this house, 1t is generally believ-
ed since, the object of his publication ir
Hampton was with the view to raise funds tt
| build another, and as he was not very sue
cessful in his vocation here, that he destroyed
the church himself, as means of making
money, and that he will dscamp with the
funds. How long are we to be prosecuted by
these wretches?
/ On Saturday last, quite jubilee took place
at the new wharf, now being built by Mr.
Miller Of this county Oysters, roasted tc
perfection, were perfectly devoured, and your
correspondent can bear testimony to their SUI
perior quality and delicious flavor Speeches
were made, and the recent Oyster Law was
severely handled It was declared to be I'M
just and unconstitutional
The BOmbardment and Destruction of
| VaI leo