Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-12-26


attention Of planting where not only thu
entire crop has been turned over to the
laborers TO satisfy their claims, but alsC
the mules and Implements used in III
PRODUCTION. The result OF this condition
Of affairs is the almost universal deter
mination OF planters 10 abandon the oul
ture Of cotton, and even ii they wlsheq
10 prosecute il another year, il would,
apprehend, be impossible for them Ia
procure further advance OF the necessary
supplies from any merchant so prevalent
is the conviction that cotton cannot be
produced at the present prices.
The next year the land in cultivation
will be almost entirely devoted TO corn,
which requires but about one-lifth OF the
labor demanded by cotton. therefore
fourfifths of the laborers required last
wear will be thrown out of employment,
and Of course there will be a correspond
ing decrease OF wages. This the reed
men do not appreciate, considering II
the result Of combination 10 defraud
them Of what they consider just wages.
The consequence is they almost univer'
sally decline entering into contracts Tor
the year 1868 on tho terms offered by
planters.
The crop of 1867 having been gathered,
the freedmen are now idle and without,
in a great majority Of instances, the
means of support The result is great
complaints from every section Of the
State of Expectations being committed
on live stock. hogs, sheep and cattle.
This is now the condition Of affairs IN
the State Of Mississippi
Planters are without means, having
little left them except their lands. Capt.
talists beyond the limits Of the State
refuse to make advances from the I'M
settled condition Of affairs. The freed
men being to a great extent discontented,
refuse to enter into contracts for the
coming year. The remedy to be applied
demands most thorough and Immediate
consideration for the military, either
through the commanders of troops or
agents of the Bureau. To reach all sec
TORS of the State, to see that all persons
able to earn their support are compelled
to do so, and that all those who do labor
receive compensation for the same, is
simply impossible. The care Of the poor
and the duty of seeing that contracts
are faithfully executed devolves upon
the local magistrates and the higher
courts.
How far it is safe under the peculiar |
condition of affairs existingin this State,
10 trust the civil authorities with this
luty it is for you, to whom the act crea-
ing this district intrusts "the security OF
life and property" to judge. To en-
power the local magistrates to arrest as
all persons without visible
means of support, would no doubt lead
o acts of injustice but the civil author
ties, being recognized and intrusted with
he execution of the civil law, collection
If taxes and the care of the poor, it
would seem to be necessary conse-
luence that, as protection to the COM
nunity, they should have authority 10
compel all who are able to support them
elves, and thus prevent them from
becoming burden upon the community.
70 deny the civil authorities the exercise
,f this right is to place the freedmen
bove the recognized government OF the
state.
1t is matter of very grave doubt
whether, in the present condition of
fairs, the civil authorities, unaided by
he military, will be able to maintain
rider and execute the law. Civil pro-
ess can only be served in the ordinary
manner where offenders are the excep-
ion and the law is sustained by public
pinion; but in the present ruined con-
ition of labor in this State, thousands
re without labor and must subsist con-
eouently, depreciation is the rule and
onesty the exception, while, on the other
and, to treat as Migrants four-fiflhs of
he community is simply impracticable.
But these are matters for your consd-
ration and Of the law making power
.ther than for me, whose unctions are
ntirely executive, and to you | submit
ne case merely with the surmise that il
i'll be impossible to inaugurate any
ystem for the relief of the blacks which
unanimously approved by the whites,
There is another subject worthy of
ttention in this connection. There
,ems to be widespread belief, which is ,
lily increasing among the freedmen,
at the land in this State is to be divided
i'd distributed among them, and in
me sections of the State this illusion is
stunning practical form by the freed
en- refusing to contract for the next
,ar, or to leave the premises they have
this year
II ID to be feared that this course, in
iced by evil disposed advisers, may
ad to collisions, the extent and result =
which it is difficult to surmise.
/ receive almost daily petitions and y
emorials asserting the existence of r
ganized companies of freedmen, and {
king the presence and protection of '
oops; and although | am satisfied that d
ese representations are generally the 4
suit of fear and exaggerated rumors, .
Il the existence of such organizations
some sections of the State is certain.
of troops aud agents of the
1reau have been instructed to urge
ION the freedmen the absolute necessity
abstaining from armed demonstrations, I
at they will be protected in all their !
,hts, but that they must not seek
dress by force or violence.
In order to avoid as far as possible
inging the races in collision with each
her, have advised that whenever prac-
able the posse summoned to assist in
arrest shall be Of the same race as the
rson arrested.
am, General, very respectfully your
edient servant, q
ALvAX c. GILLEM,
Brevet Mojor General, Commissioner.