The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-06-26
(From the Columbia Patriot, June 25.I
A Letter to tho Presfdent
HEADQUARTERS D. r. F. SA.L.,
WESTERN DIsrRroT n
"kbTEHH DISTRICT, b o.,
GOI nlInIA q a A,.II q 1ncf

go 1ns.., COLUMBIA. g. O.. April 2. 1866.
Mn. PRESIDENT :-As q representative of this Bureau
beg leave respectfully to submit personally to You
section of our country involving the interess Of The
reed people, as wel the interests Of their former
have been in this Department On duty since Ju,v
@ oUo uaring waoh time have endeavored discharge
my auly towards all parties in just and humane man
ner, and, SS R believe with general satisfaction to all
C, The System Of free labor has beon univer
honest energy % holding high antioipaons Of future
stes WIFI very few exceptions incident to To-
There s doubt from the present prospect that tbe
freed people will become sefsusaining. IT, as is likely
they obtain remunerave yield for labor this year
to effect which aid from the Government need only be
extended until the rst OF September this year and
after which date there will not exist any necessity
for this Bureau excepting few ooers agents to act
as attorneys for freedmen before the courts This is
tanoe At this time there is great desttution with oil
Glasses OF people which must exist and increase until
ssn district Of tho State embracing fifteen districts lor
countless and Into often think gathered ali the in
firm and helpless who live the type and
rebellion They are fed in the stctest by this
Its oices to the poor Of the city entirely Through
depended for clothing during the winter They humber
less than thousand souls
To properly facilitate and economlse this charity by
ana with the advice OF proper authority, rented q
plantation adjacent to tho city rendezvous for the
homeless and friendless 1t is now In operation upon
the principle OF "poor house and farm" " verify
believe that after the rst of September of this year
even this place will be entirely selfsustaininQ and
might pass into the hands and of local
shority. q, In the even. OF complete restoration the
State would doubtless receive and assume
Therefore, as citizen. soldier and officer Of this B,,.
reau offer for your acceptance my hearty endorse
ment Of your veto and the subject matter Of your Off
c1nl message thereon.
firmly believe that the sooner the freed people are
thrown upon their own resources the better Give to
them the aid needfu for this season. and teach them
that they must then take Of Themselves will
BY far more bsneacal to all concerned than have
them taught that this Government Is to provide for
them for years to come, DO. -
There are despersdoes still IN organization in thu
upper sections OF this State committing depredations
upon all classes OF people. believe the temporary
presence OF small Garrison Of Regular troops would be
ealutary-for how long this state things may e1st
time only will determine. And from my observation
and knowledge can but conclude that the sooner the
responsibility thrown upon the people and civil law
ts fully established the all complaints will cease
and the people properly govern ihemselyes.
have the honor to be, your oDedient servant,
RALPH ELY,
Brevet Br1gadier. General and A A. Com,