Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-05-10

accompanies Generals Steadman and Fullerton on
their mission of investigation through the South,
writes letter to that paper from Newbern, from
which we make the following extracts. The let
tiers of this correspondents are generally character
lied by perfect truthfulness, and may be consider
ed, from the semiofcial relation of the writer to
the officers of the commission, embodylng their
sentiments ~ "-
SENTIMENTS OF THE PEOPLE.
The general sentiment of the people of both
North Carolina and Virginia is strongly in favor
of the peaceful restoration of the Union. During
the last three weeks I have heard the opinions OF
some hundreds of representative men and those
opinions have been in the main most satisfactory
They have been whipped and they know 1t, but
they do not feel disposed TO after the man who
whipped them and thank him for doing it. 1t is
not in human nature that they should do so. But
they accept the issue as decided by the war, and,
as one gentleman put it, he could not kick them
into rebellion again incline to think that the
only disloyal people in these two States are some
few of the editors and politicians who have done
no share of the fighting. The most loyal are I'M
doubtedly the officers and soldiers of the rebel
army.
GOVERNOR HOLDEN ON THE SITUATION.
General Steadman and Fullerton, in prescott
ing their inquiries into the working of the Freed
mems Bureau in North Carolina, have visited
Raleigh, Salisbury, Goldsboro' and Newbern,
whence they proceeded to Wilmington. At Raj
eigh they had an interview with Governor Holden
and the leading citizens. Governor Holden said
the great objection to the Bureau Court was that
it was one-man power A planter might be
dragged many miles to answer some frivolous
charge preferred by negro, and this charge
would be disposed of before one man who was both
Judge and jurors. In the past he believed the
Bureau had been of advantage to both races, but
it's further continuance would serve useful pur
pose. The relations between the two races we're
now on the most satisfactory footing. There had
been some danger, little time ago, of an out
breat at Wilmington, prevented by negro soldiers;
but this fear, which from the first had been eXag
gerated, had now passed away. The only disturb
ing element they dreaded now was further teach
ing and lecturing and agitation on the subject of
social equality.
people of the South, though opposed to negro So
cial equality, grant him more social privileges than
we in the North.
Governor Holden.-That is SO, sir. We, who
know the negro, know there is no possibility of
his attaining social equality. In the North they
don't know this and can't understand it. spoke
to number of negroes the other. day [ found them
the quietest part of the people, Industrious doce,
and hopeful for the future. L spoke to one OF
them, whom had formally owned, about voting.
He replied, 81 don't know how to vote; I've never
been used to it; should come to you"
The ex-rebel General Cox, who was present at
the interview. intimated his concurrence in the
views of Governor Holden.
the citizens expressed themselves in warm terms
of commentator of the manner in which the
Bureau had been administered but agreed that
the necessity for its existence had passed by. n.
Boyden, lawyer of large practice in the State,
gave conclusive proof from the court records that
before, during, and since the war, there had been
q strong disposition towards leniency rather than
severity in all cases in which negroes
cerned. One peculiarly of North Carohnian law
was disclosed III the course OF the discussion
ly hanging and whipping appear to be the staple
punlShments, and every man who is not hanged is
likely to be whipped. This applies, however,
equally to white men as to negroes The Legis-
erecting penitentiary and modifying the laws in
this respect. Mr.. Boyden, who a thorough
going Union man during the war, assured the
government commissioners and he was confirmed
by the Mayor and the ex-Mayor of the city, that
IT the Bureau were withdrawn perfect Justice
would be rendered to the negro in all the civil
courts. There was only one instance in which he
thought public prejudice might influence the adj
ministration of justice, and that was in cases
where negro was charged with criminal assault
white woman. The feeling in this respect
was so strong that mere suspicion too often
taken as an evidence of guilt.
MATTERS ON THE MEND.
Bad matters are, however, in the old North
State they undoubtedly improving. There is
a much greater breadth of land in cultivation this
year than there was last, and with time, cap
ital and energy will both probably return. The
labor market is adjusting itself satisfactorily as
in Virginia. There about three hundred and fifty
thousand freedmen in the State, as nearly as can
be calculated Small pox and other diseases have
latterly thinned their ranks. Between five and
six thousand infirm and helpless negroes, princi-
pally old people and children, are receiving relief
from the Freedmen's bureau. The able-bodied
negroes are working by shares and by monthly
contracts. They appear to be kindly and fairly
treated by the planters and in turn seem disposed
to live peaceable and industrious lives.
THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE BUREAU IN NORTH CARO-
LIMA
A closer investigation of the state of affairs at
Newbern has revealed condition of affairs worse
than the bltterest enemy of the bureau ever ven
tured to insinuate It appears almost beyond
doubt that at one of the freedmens settlements
here cruelties more attrocious than those for
which Wlrz was hanged, have been perpetrated
on the unofending freedmen by agents of the
bureau establithed for their protection
Opposite Newbern, on the other side of the
river some $500 freedmen have been settled for
five years past. They were invited there by the
which they were allowed to cultivate. Eight
months ago, Edward S. Fitz, Massachusetts,
preacher, was placed in charge of the Trent river
settlement by Captain James, another New Eng
land preacher who was then conducting the bu-
real here. system of extortion and cruelty was
inaugurated Fifty cents a month
ground rent was demanded for every plat on which
the miserable little cabins were erected Every
negro who owned a boat had to pay two dollars
and half month, or his boat was forfeited -
Every darkey who kept store was taxed five dol
lars month. Every one who owned horse was
taxed similar amount. Failure to pay any one
OF these exactions punished by the imprison-
ment OF the man or his wife-preference being
given to the wife-the confscaton of all his little
property, and IN many cases the tearing down of
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