The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1867-01-23
Circular from the Freedmen's Bureau.

landlords and laborers" Of this State b. az
been issued by General Scott:
HEADQUARTERS, \
Asst CoMR, BURkAu REFUGEES,
rREEDAEN AND ABANDONED LANDS,
SoUTH CAROLINA.
CHARLEsroN, s. c., Dec. 20, 1866
CIRCULAR LETTER.
10 the Landlords and La6orers of the
State Of South Carolina :
The season Of 1866 is about to close.
and l deem it my duty 70 invite the at,
tention Of both Landlords and Laborers to
the following deductions in regard to the
system Of free labor, which are drawn
from my observations during the pas.
year: ...
The work Of the past season has been
to great extent experimental in it's char
aGter; and from it may be gathered lesr
sons OF great practical value. In fact,
the planter has only to avoid repetition
OF the errors Of the past season and to
discard theories which experience has
shown to be imprac,icabIe, to ensure sue.
cess in the future.
In very many instances where planters
have failed to realize a paying crop, the
failure 10 easily traceable to ignorance Of
the Tree labor system aud general mis-
management Others, in attempting to
secure by unfair co0tracts more than
would justly revert to them, have over.
reached Themselves; as the Iaborers, dis.
covering that their toll would bring them
small recompense, have left the growing
crop to labor where better remuneration
was otfered-trom this, i, is easy to dsduce
the principle: that contract unfair to
the laborer, is Improbable 10 the plan
ter.
Mutual distrust between the planter
aud the laboper has also contributed 70
failure; the principle that the interests Of
capital and labor are identical, having
been ignored by both contracting parties,
in many Instances, failure was to be ex'
pected. '.'..
The labor Of the season has not unfrs
queuty been interrupted by misunder
standings respecting the requirements and
snpulations Of contracts. Crops have
been greatly damaged by suspension of
work at critical periods. and in some in
stancss the entire crop b as been los, while
awaiting tbs settlement or adjudication
Of questions, which should have been
thoroughly understood by both parties.
at the time of contracting. In view Of
this. cannot too earnestly urge upon
both the landowner and tho la5orer. a
careful consideration and deliberation be.
fore binding themselves to contracts, and
a strict and honest adherence to both tho
letter and spirit Of the contract when
finally entered into.
Difficulties Of the character absys ind;,
Gated may be, in a great measure, avoid.
cd II the planter will, by careful and
patient explanation, assure himself tn at
the laborers fully understand The contract.
Experience has shown that IL Is policy to
impose as few conditions upon either
planter or laborer as are consistent with
faithful performance Of their mutual
obligations.
II will be the duty, rs il certainly is for
the interest, Of the planter to practically
acknowledge the freedom Of the laborer,
10 its fullest sense, as guaranteed by law
to kindly, and in friendly spirit, correct
those erroneous ideas Of license and inde
pendsucs which the freed people too fre,
quently associate with freedom; and to
teach them the obligations imposed upon
them by citizenship. .
Nothing will more effectually conduce
to this end, or sooner afford them correct
understanding Of their status, and q
knowledge pitts responsibilities, than edu
cation. And l cannot too earnestly ad.
wise the planters to encourage, by every
means in their power, The ai=pos!.icz 90
the part OF the freed people TO learn To
read and write, and to educate their
children. It will not BE found difficult
to dispel alienation and disirust between
4
the two races, IL such exists; the planter
need detract nothing from bis own posi-
ton in practically accepting that Of the
freedman. Consideration and respect for
the rights Of those employed by him will
10 no way impair or dstrac, from his own;
while acts Of kindness and q generous
interest 10 the welfare Of bis laborers, will
endear him to them and ensure more
faithful performance Of labor than ca o be
! obtained by acts Of coercion