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

| The following report to General Ord
contains a truthful exposition OF facts,
which should arrest the attention of the
| country, as something unquestionably
not a rebel lie. It raises a vital issue,
into which by vicious Encouragement
we are thrown, and with which the gov
eminent has now practically to deal.
| The result remains to be seen:
BuREAu REFUGEES, F. AND A. LANps,l
OFFICE ASST Gown OF MISSISSIPPI. 7
VICKsBUBG, MISS, DecemberlO, 1871
Mpior General X. O. C. Ord, Commanding
Fourth Military District:
GENERAL: feel it incumbent upoh
me. as Assistant Commissioner of the
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and
Abandoned Lands for this State, to
represent to you the present condition of
the freedmen and planters, and their
prospects for the future.
At the close Of the war, cotton, hereto
fore-the great staple of the South, com
mauded what was regarded as an enOr-
moua price, say froia forty to sixty cents
per pound, the result of which was to
cause large amount of capital from the
North to be invested in the production of
cotton Labor, of course, commanded
price comparatively beyond what had
hitherto been known in the planting and
farming districts, ranging from SIS to
500 per month, with rations, for first
class field hands. The short crop Of
1866 dispelled the illusion entertained
by many capitalists Of rapidly accumu
lating fortune, and in many cases
utterly ruined planters and adyenturers,
who had invested their all in single
crop.
Yet there was a sufficient number who
regarded their losses as the result of an
exceptional season, added TO the num-
Der of landholders who determined TO
risk the result of another years planting
to maintain the high rate of wages OF
the previous year, and the contracts,
where wages were the consideration,
ranged from SIS to $40 per MONTH and
where the land was titled on shares the
planter agreed to furnish the land, ami
mails, utensils and, in many cases,
forage, the freedmen furnishing the
labor. In most of these cases, the
laborer having no subsistence and no
credit, the planters agreed to become
responsible for the supplies necessary
for the laborer and his family, the
amount to be deducted from the share of
the laborer when the crops were
gathered
In consequence of the dry weather
and worms the crop of 1867 has not ex-
ceeded half Of what was regarded as an
average crop, and that has not COM
manded but one-half Of the price Of the
previous year, thus reducing the pro-
ceeds TO nefourth of what was antici-
pated By the planter and freedman as
the proceeds of the years labor. The
result is the financial ruin Of the planter
and capitalist and discomfort to the la
borer.
In cases where laborers worked for
stated wages there is but little complaint
OF discomfort on the part Of the freedmen,
remuneration having geRerally been re-
ceived by the laborer. either in money or
supplies, or If not paid the claim can be
easily established or adjudicated, and If
the planter has the means the claim can
be collected. Where the laborer has
worked for q share Of the crop endless
litigation has been the consequence The
laborer, being without means, has gem
orally been furnished the necessary sup
plies bT she planter or on his security.
On gathering the crop It has in a majority
Of cases been ascertained that the share
Of the laborer does not pay his indebted
ness for supplies advanced, aud instead Of
receiving a dividend he is in debt This
causes great discomfort aud conviction,
perhaps well founded in some instances,
Of dishonesty and false accounts on
the part Of planters; but this cannot gen
orally be the case. Instances have oc-
CURED where the planters have entirely
abandoned the crop 10 The lAborers, los
ing their time, The use Of their ANIMALS