Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-02-13
GENERAL SHERMAN os'rnE coEprrIex 81
THE SOUTH.

In response to resolution of the Senate,
the President, on Friday week, transmitted
to that body letter of General Sherman,
giving report of the condition of things in
the Southwest, aud more particularly in Ar
kansas, his observations having been taken
during 4 recent tour in that section. The
General says:
The negroes in Arkansas can all find prof.
liable and lucrative employment, and are
protected i'll all their rights and property by
the civil authorities. 1 met 10 one, citizen
or soldier, who questioned or doubted that
their freedom was we'll assured in Arkan-
sas as i'll Ohio. Governor Murphy told me
that negroes cOnld acquire title to real estate,
or'any kind OF property, and that the courts,
both Federal and Stute, could aud would
protect them
There was an universal expression Of con-
fdencc III the present condition OF Affairs, ex-
cept on the part Of some former rebels, who
thought the preseDttest oath prescribed for
them was too stringent aud severe. 4 con-
ventiOn Of them, convened know not how,
was i'll session at Little Rock when l was
there. A committee from it waited OIL Gen.
eral Reynolds aud myself, inviting us to at
tend. We agreed To 90, provided DO debate
or proceedings were in progress durisg our
visit. On CUR entrance to the hall, the pres
idcnt addressed US i'll language as loyal and
earnest US possible, aud asked our advice
responded, and gave them the best advice
knew how, amounting substantially as fol.
Lows: That political matters since the con-
eiusion OF hOstilIties- had progressed, and
were still progressing as fast US they could
expect; that doubted if any action Oh their
part, as convention. of the State, would be
regarded as the act Of Arkansas, but that any
respectful representation of facts from them
IN their individual capacities, in the nature
OF u petition to General Reynolds, to Presi-
dent johnson or the national Congress, would
doubtless receive eEety possible considera.
tim : ut the same tImeI called their at en-.
ton to the poverty OF their country, and how
much better it would be for them to 1--WE
their personal attenti0Rseach to their Own af-
fairs, rather than bother themselves with gen.
eral matters Of politics. After Leaving. LIttle
Rock L learned that the convention had adj
journed, so that l hope things there will re-
main as quiet as before. Indeed, so far as
my observation goes. there is perfect satisfac-
tlCn felt by all classes Of the people, except
on the part OF a very few who are looking to
future combinations involving the local and
unimportant State offices.
found everywhere in the South, large
number Of the officers and soldiers looking
out for land and employment, aBd l doubt
not that during the next year all the land
which IS cleared will be under cultivation, a
large part of it under the direction of ener-
getic young men, and that all branches of
business in Arkansas will be stimulated by
the presence OF class of men which has not
heretofore existed in that State
Single individuals now travel unarmed
from one part of the Stote to another, and
General Reynolds is rar.ly called upon to af-
ford military protection to any one, white or
black am, with respect, your obedient
servant, VT. SHERMAN,
Major General Commanding.