New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-05-08

naAaapAaTFRs Mi1aT.ng Piyisaos e :, Tn AZ. a.

HnAaauARrERs MIllrur ptylSoN or TnE CUR, |
New Orleans, La, March 81, 1866 |
The Hon George r. Williams Chairman Of the Committee
or HE Investigation e Affairs in Louisiana Texas and
Florida, Washington D. q;
Dear Sts-Your communication Of the 25th
ult., requesting certain information as to affairs
in Louisiana Texas and Florida, came duly to
hand; but, owing to my absence in Florida, /
have been prevented from responding at an earlier
day,
In compliance with your request, have The
honor to submit herewith my opinion on the sub
jeets therein parteularized;
Question What are now the feelings Of those
who took part in the rebellion and sympathiged
with ii towards the general government
Answer believe they accept the situation,
and have an earnest desire for the restoration
of perfect Union but exhibit at the same time,
an unmistakahle desire to glorify rebellion.
q What has been the eject of the nnstinted
exercise Of the pardoning power upon such per-
sons Has It made them mere friendly or other
wise, towards the Federal government?
A. have noticed no particular change in senti
ment on account Of the clemeney Of the Execu-
tive.
q. What would be the effect, in your opinion,
upon the State organization If the people were
left without coatrol to act for themselves?
A. | believe they would quarrel among them
selves and that the sensible and substantial people
would regret the absence Of the military force.
@. Are the offices of the State now in the hands
Of loyal or disloyal menu
a, a verg large number of the offices Of the
State are in the hands of returned Confederate
soldiers and other active participants in the rebel
lion am unable to say what their actual senti-
ments are in reference to the general government,
but think their outspoken sentiments depends, to
some extent, what is their best policy in order
to hold the Offices. have seen those high in au-
thority in transition state, for the same reason.
| @. What are regarded as the chief recommend
atoms for office, and what sort of persons would
BE elected without any outside ipAuenee?
a.. The inclination to glorify rebellion gives
those who were active participants in it the pre-
ference for election BY the people or appointments
| by those in power,
! %. What would be the condition of the loyal
menif they were left without any protection from
I the Federal government?
| "A. nv impressions that for the present they
would feel unsafe, and many Of them leave the
/ country.
| 9, State your opinion as to the necessity for the
continuance of military force in your department
and your reasons for the opinion.
! al. consider it necessary to maintain military
force in my division for the following reasons: 10
give security to \ orthern capital and Union peo-
Ole ana to rive an actual and moral sunport Ia
/ the freedman, until he has time to work out his
social status also believe its presence necessary
to prevent qaarrelling among the Southern people
themselves
@. What is your opinion as to the necessity and
expediency Of the freedmen's bureau?
a. The freedmens bureau gives that feeling OF
security to the freedman which arises from having
some one to look after and advocate his interests
a change might be made by appointing an insnee.
tor general OF freedmen, with the necessary num-
Der Of assistant inspectors under charge of the
department commander, which would be much
more economical, but it would be imposing duties
on the military which | do not recommend, as l
thlnk u should nave as little as possible to do with
civil affairs.
O. What would be the condition and fate of the
freedmen, it left without protection under the ex-
elusive control Of the white people there
A Fnpr fhnF mil had 4 g
"A large number Of the people would act in good
faith towards them, bat there would be many who
would not; and war of races, to some extent
would probably be a consequence.
@. State fully your opinion as to the capacity Of
|. the eoored people. What do they know, and to
what extent can they exercise the rights Of free.
men2 are they willing or unwilling to work with
ont physical compulsions with kind treatment and
fair Wages2 And state what, in your Judgment, is
the best course for Congress to take In reference
to these people,
a. The colored race, like all other races, have
different degrees Of intelligence and capacity. In
New Orleans, where eolored people are better
treated than in any other city in the United States
there is an excellent oolored society and a very
high degree of refinement exists in it, Starting
from tins you can go into the State of Louisiana
and lind the coored man about rs ignorant as it is
| possible for any human being 70 he The freed
men, so far as am informed have a great desire
! to learn cannot say whether they learn RAPIDLY
or not; believe they are willing to work. be-
SdlsS uGGbESIbeS Will compel them to do
In this they are like all other races Ineyer have
knowna white or black man who was perform.
ing manual labor for the love of it. believe the
| best thing that Congress or State can do is to
iegIslate as little as possible in reference to the
eoiofed man beyond giving him security in his
person and property. His social status will be
worked out by the logic of the necessity for his
laDor Y - the only labor that be obtained in
the Southern States for some time to come.
@. Please to make such suggestions as occur to
Youf mind, as to the most fudieoRs and efficient
remedies for the evils that exist in your depart
ment, growing out Of the late rebellion2
a. The feeling andsentiment of those within the
limits Of my command is as coed, perhaps, as
could be expected, still not satisfactory. 5a
The people of Louisiana are poor, and. to the
best of my knowledge, heavy mortgages exist
upon, perhaps the majority OF the plantations IN
the State for debts contracted before 4Ba VA,
In many Instances those plantations will fall into
the possessioneof Northern people, who from
present appearances will at no very distant period
control Louisiana, eyenin sentiment. Having this
prospect before Them, il. is not surprising that a
spirit Of bitterness and discomfort should exist.
believe the majority of the people are not on.
posed 70 the general government, and in fact.
earnestly desire to be restored to perfect Union
with the other states Still, sufficient time has not
yet elapsed TO eface the recollection of their hay
ing been reduced from aftluenee to limited means,
the chagrin of being conquered, and to subnerpe
the idea Of clarifying rebellion and its representa-
hYes. This latter idea and its consequences pre-
tention Of the military in Louisiana for some time
as necessary for the security Of emgrants, freed
men and capital.
Florida is not poor from old debts and havoc Of
war, like Louisiana, and the tone and sentiment of
the people is very fair, and great desire mani
Tested to restore a perfect Union.
Texas has increased in wealth by the rebellion
Among the best people there is very good feel
ing towards the government There is a class Of
lawless people there, however, which this sent-
nent does not control and which cannot be con
5oIed but by The military. The sentiment in this
eette wall not change from the influence of North
ern emigration aud Northern capital, as ia tie
STATE OF Louisiana 1t is essential that the military
IN considerable force, be maintained in the depart
ment of Texas.
have the honor to be, sir,
Very respectfully @
Your 0bedient servant
@isneQ a. Il. SHERIDAN
Major Genl, " S. A.
The British Aristoeraey.