The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-01-26

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Tho Reconsideration Convention.
NINTH DAY.
CHARLESTON, January 24.-Fhe
President laid before the Convention
o communication which he had re-
ceived from Gen. r. X. Scott, As
sissant Commissioner Of the freed
mems Bureau, who says:
II have the honor to transmit for
your considerat IN. and for the action
of the Convention over which you
have the honor to preside, if in your
Judgment il may seem best to lay the
matter before it, the enclosed letter.
It is one of the many complaints I
have received during the past few
weeks; and as the condition of affairs
described therein, arises from what
seems to be gradually growing SEN
timent on the part of the freed peo-
pie Of the State, I think an express
sion of aome kind, in the form of q
resolution, aan0unoinB the sense of
the Convention on the subject, would
have the. most beneficial results.
The sooner such ideas as those held
by the freed people npon the planta-
tion of Mr.. Erwin are eradicated, the
better it will be for both the planter
and labofer.
II have also suggested that such
an expression on the part of the Con-
vention, would do more than any act
of the military, to disabuse their
minds that the Convention has lands
at it's disposal for distribution.
The letter of MFR. Erwin is dated
from Kensington, Eastern Branch,
Cooper River, and substantially is as
follows:
ga condition of things has arisen
on this plantation, among the freed
men, of which ] think it necessary to
inform you at once, and request that
you will communicate with me upon
the subject. have offered General
Scott's contract to the people on the
plantation for their acceptance, but
was answered with q flat refusal to
make any contract at all. They went
on to say that they would work the
lands, but until something was de-
cided in their favor by the sitting of
the Convention, they would not sign
any agreement, or make any terms
with me whatsoever Now this is
like taking possession of my lands
out aud out, and I am not disposed
to submit without every effort to
establish my authority over what I
consider my own property. I am
not disposed to be harsh in my mea-
sures, believing as I do, that all this
is the result of false teaching, but
simply wish that you would advise
me as to the proper method to pursue
either to compel them to sign this
contract of General SCOTS, or to
quit my premises at once, 30 that I
may have chance of procuring other
Labor before it is too late. I have
given these people full warning that
If they insist upon working my lands
without a contract, they do it at their
own risk, and am not bound now
to contract with any of them again
against my will, or recognize their
work in any way. If my plantation
affairs are to await the deliberations
OF the Convention, you will readily
perceive the necessity of immediate
action. in order to disabuse their
minds Of the prevailing idea that some
thing is to be done for their special
benefit by the Convention.
The President observed that the
communication would lie upon his
table until it was taken up.
On motion of r. G. DeLarge,
(colored,) the Convention resolved
itself into Committee of the Whole,
on unfinished business, L. Boozer,
white in the chair.
r. @. DeLarge obtained the floor.