The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-22
CONDITION OF THE BLACKS IN TIE COTTON
GROWING STATES.

omclni Report Of Major General Giilem.
BUREAU REvrGErs FREEDMEN AND ABANDONED LANDS,
OFflcK ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF MISSISSIPPI
VIckssURG, Mss Dec 10, 1857.
Major General Z. o. c. ORD Commanding Fourth Mill
tary District
GNKRAL-I feel II incumbent upon me as Assistant |
Commissioner Bureau Of Refugees, Freedmen and
Abandoned Lands for this State represent TO you
tho present condition Of the freedmen planters and
their prospects for the futura
AT the close OF the cotton heretofore the great
staple OF the South commanded what regarded nm
enormous prce. say from forty sixty cents per pound
tai from the North to DO invested in the production OF
cotton. Labor OF course commanded price compare
lively ond what had hitherto been plant
ing and farming districts ranging from SIS to $50 per
month, with rations for frst class field hands, The
short crop OF 1866 dispeIed the Illusion entertained by
many capitalists Of rapidly accumulating fortune and
in many utterly ruined planters and advsnture
who had invested thor al in single crop. Yet there
sufficient number who regarded their losses as
the result OF exceptional season, added to the
Der Of andholders who determined TO risk the Of
another years planting TO MAINTAIN tho high rate of
wages OF the previous year, and the contracts where
wages were the consideration, ranged from SIS to SO
per MONTH and where the land was titled on shares the
planter agreed to furnish tho land, animals utensils
and, In many cases, forage the freedmen fur
nishng the labor. l9 most OF these cases,
tho planters agreed become responsible for the sup
plies necessary for the laborer and his family the
amount 10 be deducted from the share Of the aborer
when the crops gathered.
In consequence Of the dry weather ind worms the
average crop, and that has not commanded but
OF the prco Of the previous year. thus reducing
tie planter ana freedman a. the proceeds Of the years
labor, The result Is The financial ruin OF The planter
ana capitalist and discontent Of the iaborer
In where labores worked for stated wages tner
ls but little complaint discomfort on the part OF
freedmen, remuneration having generally been rece'
paid tho claim can BE- easily established or adudc no
and If the planter has the means Inc clair go,
be collected. Whore the laborer has worked No.
share OF the crop endless litigation has been th ~
sequence. The laborer, beng without near a ), -.
generally been Furnished the necessary supple S The
majority OF cases been ascsrtaned that IN sac ~
the sSssr does 40. pay his rs,as de
debt This causes great discomfort and conu ction
perhaps We. founded T. e
not generally be the case Instances have ccnrrad
the planters have entirely abandoned The cron 10
the aDorers losing their time, che Of their
and implements and tho supplies advanced u .es hsv.
brought 70 my attention Of planting Shers no,
to satisfy their claims but also the mules and ,nnl
men,s used IN Us production The rssa. Of thus CON.
mutation Of planters TO abandon Tho euitnr,
or cotton, and even they wish nd 10 nro.e
nosble for them to procure further s snsna, os I'M
necessary supplies from any merchant 40 nrev.,an,
conviction that cotton cannot be roduced ~ th<
The next year the land in cultvau an win h .,mo.
entirely devoted corn which rsqar es bu. about
atm Of the labor demanded by cotH n thsrssore
hs Of the laborsrs required ye viii bs ,hrovn an
OF employ and Of course there val be
I'M decrease OF wages This the fr aedmep 40 NOT an
precate considering II the result comhinston -
defraud them Of what they cons .der Just wsccs TIL
consequence they almost univ ANY decline entern
contracts for the year 1868 she terms offered b.
planters
The crop OF lse! having bee altered, tho frseame,
~
Stances the Of supper The result is great com
plants from every section MS state Of depreciation
being committed on live ~ ck, hogs sheep and cattle
THIS tho condition Of ars In the State Of Mis-
s;ssppL
except their lands Cap ,asts beyond the Of th
make ~ from this unsettled con
ditlon o. aisrs Inc freedmen being 70 great sx'en
coming year. The re- asdy be applied demands mos
thorough and mmods Ite consideration. for the military
either through the COMMANDERS Of troops agents
Bureau reach ta Of state TO sec thai
all persoss able 70 sir. their support compelled 4
do and that all nose who do labor receive
for the same Is simply impossible. The care OF th
poor and the duty Of seeing that faithful,
executed properly dsvolves upon the local magistrates
| Hos far It 10 safe, under the peculiar condition O
aars existing IN this State TO trust the civil authorities
with thus duly for you 70 whom the oct creatn,
this District ntrusts "the security OF life and prop
ery, to judge To empower The local m gstrates
arrest Migrants all persons visible means Of
support would no doubt lead 10 acts OF pasce but
civil authorities beng recognized aud ntrusted with
Il
the care OF The poor II would TO BE- a necessary
| consequence that as protection 20 the community,
they should have authority 10 compel all who are able
To support themselves aud thus prevent fhem from
| coming q burden upon the community. To deny the
civil authorities the exercise OF this right 20 place the
freedmen above the recognized state
Il hisa matter Of very grave doubt whether, in the
present condition OF Affairs, the civil authorities unaded
BY the military, will be able order aud re.
cute tho law. Civil process oniy be served In the
ordinary manner whore offenders the exception
the Law sustained BY pubic opinion; but in the pres
snt ruined condition OF labor in this state thousands
without labor aud must subsst consequently deprsd
ton y The rule and honesty the exception while, on the
other hand 10 treat four-nfths OF the com
| munty "a simply imprsctcabla
But these are matters for your consideration and o.
the law making power rather than for me, whose unc
tons are entirely executive, and 10 you submit the
merely with the surm that will lie impossible
TO insugura,e any system for the relief Of blacks
Vos h.r. S., . apctovsa oy We rai.s.
connection. There seems 70 be widespread belief
which daily increasing among the freedmen that the
land IN this state IL 10 be divided and distributed smens
them. and in some sections OF the State this illusion Il
assuming practical form oy the freedmen refusing "a
contract o The next year Or 10 leave The premises they
| have cultivated this year
IL 20 be feared that COURSE induced BY evil dis
posed ADVISER may lead 20 collisions the extent
| result OF which ~ dinfcult snrmue.
receive almost daily petitions and memorials Assert
ing the exisencs OF organized companies Of freedmen
and asking the pressncs and protection Of rcops aud
although am sasshed that these representations are
generally the result Of fear and exaggerated rumors
yet the sxissncs cf such orgsnxaons n some sections
agents Of the Bureau have been instructed 20 urxe upon
the freedmen the absolute necessity Of absanns from
armed demonstrations; that they win be protected 10
| force or vtolencs
10 order to avoid far possible bragns The races
oo n Win saen other have ADVISED h., when.
arrest sha be OF the as tho person arrested
am, General very respectfully your obedent ser.
want ALvAN C. GILLEn
Btevet Major General. Commissioners
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