Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-02-02
GREAT OUTRAGE ON FREEDMEN---l
SHAM BUREAU ON HIS TRAVELS.

An outrage of most gigantic proper
tons has been imposed, in one of the
Southern States, upon large number OF
freedmen and froedwomen. 1t should be
known as early as possible all over the
North, and especially in Boston. There
we're collected at depot on one of the
principal railroads in the State referred
to, a body of about six hundred colored
persons. They we're engaged in various
peaceful operations, such as backing
boets, carrying water, building fires, wa
tering horses conveying jugs of whisky,
hunting opossums, stealing chickens and
drinking frewater The life thus led
was peaceful, and the condition happy.
At night the song and dance emil
vened the hours and drew curtain over
the front of care. All, as the novelist
says, was calm. Not wave of care
rolled across the peaceful bosoms of the
freedmen. They had spurned all over
lures to contract for work, as beneath
the dignity of freedmen, and resolved to
"camp out the balance of the year
But change came Ter the spirit of their
dream. A fell spirit, bearing the form
of man, appeared among them, and
changed their cup of bliss to one of sor-
row. He was white man, an agent of
large New York house, travelling in its
interest through the South. Himself
Southern man, knowing much of the ne
gro character, and wag withal, he was
well qualified for the role he was about
to play. Arriving at the depot referred
to, he met many old friends and acquain-
lance, who informed MIN of the state of
affairs. His resolve. was taken imme-
diately. 1t was to represent himself as
the head center of the Freedmen's Blu
reau, and force the happy freedmen to
abandon their then happy condition for
one offabor and usefulness.
Proceeding to a point where a number
of them were collected in the sun, he
singled out one who appeared to be
sort Of representative negro Approach
ing him, the following conversation oc-
Cured:
Sham Bureau-"What is your name 2
Representative negro =" Charles,
with look indicating disposition not
to answer at ALL
S. B." Have you no other name 2"
R. N.-"No," sullenly.
s. B." What was your masters
name ?"
R. NJ" Egston," wish loud voice
and rising to depart.
S. Boone back, / want to talk to
you. | am the head of the Bureau, sent
out from Washington to examine into
the condition of the freedmen. ] am a
Northern man, on your side of the ques-
ton, and hate the rebels. We said that
if you were set free you would be indus
trious, orderly, sober and thrifty. The
rebels said you would be too lazy to work,
and get your living by stealing. Now,
il you fail to 60 to work, it will prove that
the rebels were right, and we committed
a great mistake in setting you free.
am sent out to compel you to make con-.
tracts for the present year. If you re-
fuse, will put you up on the block and
sell you for twelve months, to the high
est bidder. If you and your people DO
not enter into contracts within five days, |
will then begin the sale. ! viii compel |
you then to abide by your contracts.
will compel the men who hire you to full |
I'll theirs to the letter. Now 90 to your
people and tell them what have said to
you. Tell them to assemble, every one
Of them, tomorrow morning at ten
O'Clock, at the depot house. intend TO
make a speech to them"
Overcome by the eloquence of the
Sham Bureau, the negro rose and hurried
to his people. At the hour appointed
there we're FIVE or six hundred negroes
on the ground. They we're a ragged,
hungry looking set Of creatures, and
represented every phase Of human pow
erty. Sham Bureau ascended the plat
form, and addressed them for an hour.
We have not space for a report Of the
speech; but the main points have already.
been given. He concluded BY informing
them that unless they entered into con-
tracts within the time designated, he
would proceed 70 sell them at auction
for twelve months In the course Of the
next two hours, hot q negro was to be
seen at the place and in the course Of
three days, the Nhole crowd, with the
exception Of dozen or two, mad made
contracts and gone to work 1t wasan easy
matter. as the planters were on the
vround awaiting the issue Of Sham Bu-
resus Efforts One very powerful ne
no. on The 9Th day, was dieovered