The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-02-29

10.
especially to the planters of this
State, is from the pen of General
Scott, and will be eagerly perused: /,
r HEADo RS ASSISTANT CoMM'R r,
BUREAU r., F. AND A. L., 'i't-
CHARLESTON, s. C., Feb. 81, 1868.
The Assistant Commissioner is
compelled to call the attention of the
people of this District to the great
increase within the past few DAYS in
the number of applicants for Go
vernment assistance, and to thus
publicly announce that it will be i'm
possible for him, with the limited
supplies at his command, to assist
more than q fraction of those who
are now applying. Nearly one-half
of the amount ut his disposal has
been already expended, and brt O
limited proportion Of the applicn-
tions received have been acted upon.
In future, all applications for as
sistance will be referred to the officer
or agent of the Bureau residing near
est to the applicant, with instructions
to investigate fully his or her condi-
tion, and upon the report made. the
1ASoh'ehhc Sohl VIII 0CC.
Applications should, therefore, to
save time, be made direct to the
nearest Bureau officer. who will for
ward them to these Headquarters.
with such expression of approval or
disapproval AZ he may see fit to
make.
The applicant should state in each
case the name and situation of his
plantation, and the nearest railroad
station or steamboat landing; the
fact that the plantation is fully or
ganized, the1 number of adults and
children (those over fourteen years
of age being considered adults) for
whom provisions are desired, and the
number of acres to be cultivated in
cotton, corn or other products. In
no case will food for animals be fur
nished.
70 the freed people throughout
the District, the Assistant Commits
sioner desires to say that the de-
termination now so prevalent in
many localities not to contract, ex-
cept upon terms which, while they
assure nothing to the laborer, are SO
disadvantageous to the planter as to
preclude the possibility of any agree
ment being made, is most unfortu-
nate, and can be productive of no.
thing but disastrous results. If such
people are under the impression that
they will be fed by this Bureau, the
Assistant Commissioner desires to
undecieve them without delay. No
loan OF provisions will, under any
circumstances, be made to those who
are planting under contracts of such
n nature, that it is evident they will
not only not make sufficient supplies
to live upon another year, but will
with difficulty be able to raise suffi-
clept to repay advances made them
this year.
Many people entertain the idea
that all that is necessary to enable
them to obtain rations, is to have
possession of piece of land. Such
is not the case. The Assistant Com
missioner must be satisfied that the
land Is OF such quality, and that
the applicant is planting it under
snch conditions, that he will be able
to produce from it sufficient not only
to repay his advances, but to supply
himself and family another year.
Furthermore, no issues of rations for
planting purposes will be made to
individuals, but only upon organized
plantations, with q responsible head,
either white or colored, whose ex-
perlence and c. 1racter is such that
the Assistant Commissioner can have
no doubt but that his obligation to
the Government will be fulfilled to
the letter.