The New York herald., 1867-03-13
I'll E S o tn.
vIR oINIA.
Gun AlcaMunD CORRESPONDENCE.

9he Peninsula ef virginia-Its Negre Set.
Biers-Singuiar Titles Of the Settlements
Attempt 10 Collect Rcnts-Resistance by the
breedmen-Arrivai Of ArrilIery-D estitute
Condition of Both Whites aud Freedmen.
RICHMOND. March 10, 1867.
a that exceedingly fertile garden portion OF Virginia
known as the Peninsula lying between the York and
James rivers the immediate stretch Of country from
Williamsburg to Fortress Monroe. Il large number OF
nsw settlements towns and villages formed by negroes
vho during the found refuge when fleeing from
Aeir former bondage These new settlements have each
Been characterized by rather singular Names probably
bestowed by their African founders The farm OF DR..
toweil below Yorktown, is known as Slab Rich
end and this place ID distinguished In history
6siug the scene Of the surrender Of Corn
wallis to Washington the freedman's title for
= sounds odd Others are distinguished by
similar appellatons, the prefix "siab' SEEM
Ing TO be admired by tho settlers Stafford 9. Cooks
farm, also Yorktown and about twelve miles from
williamsburg, pceped by about hve hundred freedmen.
q known sabtowr. is estimated that there not
lsss than thirty thousand negroes now the Penn
eus who havc chiefly congregaed there during the war
ana who Of great misery and desolaton
an this section Mr.. Cooks -Slabiown-has re-
entity become noted IS the scene Of considerable
sable squatter tenants W 1Es
These farms have for the part never been legally
restored to their former owners the occupants
ma thereby acquired by possession sort of proprietor
snip which 1t is almost impossible to dspossess
them Of Mr. Stafford G. Cook has, however. had the
ttle Of his property restored and under this authority
As rented the whole farm 10 tho of the Fecdmens
Burcau at Williamsburg that Official sub renting to the
freedmen and thereby becoming responsible to the law.
Eusry, half yearly payment becoming due for
she 9rs Tine Mr. Cook presented himself to tho AGENT
requesting settlement for the tenure Of his farm The
fpp-
ants and demanded payment, meeting, however, with
general demurrer and finding only four who were willing
- respond most OF the occupants positively refusing
pay and denying his right to collect This induced the
AGENT to send squad Of soldiers the following day to
mo farm with view to enforce his demands; but upon
heir arrival the freedmen numbering about four brn
rod were ionnd to be armed and drawn up line OF
might be sent to dspossess them their acquired pro
Dsrty or to require the payment OF sny rental The
small number OF the invading forco precludcd the poss
lhty Of enforcing orders and they obliged 70 re-
tre leaving the fold to the victorious freedmen,
1ssas telling the retreating party they de-
tsrmined 10 protect their properly and defend their
lsined and application being made to General Armstrong
commanding Mt Fortress Monroe, pieces Of artillery
saieng The turbulent freedmen and up to last evening
Shen your correspondent was IN receipt Of telegram
nom Fortress Monroe, fresh outbreak had occurred
nor is there any Immediate apprehension OF ono.
The immense number Of negroes the Peninsula
pho nearly all neropers from not only this State
1hc South and who living in almost destitute
sondition-the two rivers tho York and James, afford
Soksiant anticipation q Trouble Il that beautiful but
neglected portion OF the State The whites also llv
ing la state Of misery there, too; those having any
property frequently robbed Of Inc fruits Of their hard
oor and the poorer class subjected to rough treat
snt from their more numerous and powerful sable set
ssEa Numerous efforts to induce these negroes cmi
ate have proved unsuccessful the fact Of tho Bureau
furnishing the indigent Yatons and otherwise assisting
em causing them to remain but until they removed
b1 appropriate legislation the part Of Congress
sden spot Of Virginia will remain barren, desoate
Suote