The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-06-26
[F1on, tie Col,usbfa Patriot, June 49,.
A Letter to the President.
HEADQUARTERS B. R. r. h a. Log.
WESTERN DISTRICT, 8. O.,2

b. U,,A d, J
70 Andrea Johnson President United States.
Mr.. PRESIDENT AS representative OF this Bureau
beg leave respectfully to submit personally to you
communication upon ths subject Of the condition o. tnis
freed people, as we'll as the interests OF their former
masters, and Of the country at large.
have been In this Department on duty since July,
1866 during which time have endeavored to discharge
my duty towards all parties in ajust and humane man.
ner, and, believe, with general satisfaction to all
ncerned The system Of free labor has been univer
sally established and the freed people at work with
honest energy, holding high antoipattons Of future
This with very few exceptions incident to To-
cslitteB having surplus labor
There is doubt from the present prospect that the
freed people will become sefsustaning II, as Is likely,
they obtain remunerave yield for their labor this year.
to effect which aid from the Government. need only be
extended until the first OF September of this year, and
after which date there will not exist any necessity
for officers as or sents to act
necessity which am firm to believe ls of vital impor
tance At this time there is great destuon with all
classes of people which must exist and increase until
the crops of the season mature.
This city may soy is the depot for the whole west
district of the State embracing fifteen districts Tor
countiesl and into It often think gathered all the IN
firm and helpless who live the type Of oppression and
rebellion They fed in the strctest economy by this
Bureau and the city government. the latter c0pining
benehcent Northern aid societies. these poor people have
depended for clothing during the winter They number
less than q thousand souls.
To properly facilitate and economse this charity by
and with the advice OF proper authority, rented d
plantation adjacent to the city 80 rendezvous for the
homeless and frIendless. It s In operation upon
the principle of "poor house and FARM and verify
believe that after the first Of September Of this year.
even this place will be entirely selfsustaining, and
might pass into the hands and management Of local au
thorty, In the event OF complete restoration the
State would doubtless receive and assume.
Therefore, oizen soldier and officer Of this Blu
reau, offer for your acceptance my hearty endorse
ment Of your veto and the subject matter Of your off,
cial message thereon.
firmly believe that the the freed people
thrown upon their resources, the BETTER Give to
them the aid needful for this season. and teach them
that they must then take Of themselves will
by far more beneficial to all oonoerned than to have
them taught that this Government s to provide for
them for years to come, DC.
There are desperadoes still In organization In the
upper sections Of this State committing depredations
upon all Glasses Of people, believe the temporary
presence Of email garrison Of Regular troops would be
salutary-for how long this state of things may exist
time only will determine. And from my observation
and knowledge can but conclude that the sooner the
responsibility ts thrown upon the people and civil lw
is fully established the sooner a complaints will cease,
and the people properly govern ,hemaelves. =
Ihsve the honor to be- yonr obedtcnt servant
.5j.3. RALPH ELY,
Breyet Brigadier-a General and a. A. Com.