Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-02-15

General Sherman the Condition the South
| In response to a resolution of the Senate, the
President, Friday last transmitted to atbody
letter of General Sherman, giving a report ofthe
condition of things in the Southwest, and more
particularly in Arkansas mis- observations having
been taken duringa recent tour in that section.-
The General says:
! The negroes in Arkansas can all find profitable
and lucrative employment, and protected in
all their rights and property by the civil authori
ties. l met no one, citizen soldier, who ques
toned or doubted that their freedom was as well
assured in Arkansas as in Ohio. Governor Muir
| ply told me that negroes could acquire title to
real estate, any kind of property, and that the
courts, both Federal and State, could and would
protect them.
There was all universal expression of confidence
III the present condition of affairs, except the
part of some former rebels who thought the pres.
ent test oath prescribed for them too stringent
and severe. convention of them, convened
know not how, was IN session at Little Rock
when | was there. A committee from it waited on
General Reynolds and myself, inviting to at
tend we agreed to go, provided no debate OF
proceedings in Congress during our visit
On entrance to the hall, the president address
ed us III language az loyal and earnest as posi-
| bic, and asked advice. I responded, and gave
them the best advice knew how, amounting sub
stantially follows That political matters since
the conclusion of hostiities had progressed, and
We're still progressing, as fast as they could ex
| pect that doubted If any action on their part
| as Il convention OF the State, would be garued As
the act of Arkansas, but that any respectful repre-
sentatiOn of facts from them in their individual
capacities, in the nature of petition to General
| Reynolds, to President johnson, or the national
Congress, would doubtless receive every possible
consideration at the time called their at
tention to the poverty of their country, and how
much better it would be for them to give their
personal attention each to their affairs rath
ell than bother themselves with general matters OF
politics.
After leaving Little Rock learned that the con-
vention had adjourned, so that hope things there
will remain quiet before. Indeed so far as
my observation goes there is perfect satisfaction
felt by all classes OF the people, except the part
of very few who are looking to future combina-
tons involving the local and unimportant State
offices.
found, everywhere in the South, large num-
Der of our officers and soldiers looking out for land
and employment, and doubt not that during the
next year all the land which is cleared will be un-
der cultivation, large part of it under the direc
ton of energetic young men, and that all branches
of business in Arkansas will be stimulated by the
presence of class of men which has not hereto
fore existed in that State.
Single individuals now travel unarmed from one
part of the State to another, and General Rey-
nolds is rarely called upon to afford military pro-
lection to any one, white or black. am, with re-
spect, your obedient servant,
w. T. SHERMAN,
Major General COMMANDING