The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-02-07
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.
Buckingham and Prince Edward
Counties.


As far as l can see, the general condi
ton of things is very much the same ~
these two counties. Owing to the drougn'
of last summer the crops were quite shott'
and the people are already oeg'nsi.ns "
suffer. in some degree, from insninciency
of food for man and beast. The early ana
nnarnerte6 fros, Of October lst destroyed
. large norton Of the tobacco crop; in
some cases tho whole crop, and many
others lost about third. The few who
escaped expect to realize good price for
their tobacco on account of the limited
supply in the market. Most OF those
iniurcd by the frost have cured their to-
bacco and fastened 1t off to market
though this grade brings but small! price,
on account of the large supply offered for
sale.
The planters have been taking advan-
sage Of two or three fine days lately in
getting ready their plant patches and
making arrangements to put in even q
larger crop than was planted last season.
notwithstanding, they cay ,hatthe planting
of tobacco must be ultimately relinquished,
and more attention given to the ordinary
staples Of life. The chief reason for this
is the ipsufficiency and unreliability OF the
!aborcrs.
Probably not more than third Of the
Farmers have completed their arrange
mcnts with the freedmen, or hired their
full proportion Of hands, owing, in part, to
their Snort supply Of provisions, and also
TO the indifference Of the negroes to enter
Snto engagements for the present year.
Many OF the latter class are in very des-
titute condition-worse off than they have
ever vet been, and suffering for want OF
proper clothing and provisions. Therefore
the people are deprecated upon to large
extent, and losing their sheep, poultry, and
other supplies. Interspersed through the
pines we see little log shanties, which
are often occupied by three or four fami-
lies.
Last Christmas was very unlike former
seasons. The new citizens, in order to
realize their freedom, took two or three
weeks vacation in addition to what has
been to them almost holiday Throughout,
ehe year. Since, the universal complaint
is that they will not work as they formerly
did-tbus, "freedom is great thing
The whites enjoyed the season very mode
rately, as they had to be their own
servants, indulging themselves in little
sociabies," which were very pleasant.
The agent of the Virginia immigration
Society, DR.. Oliver, addressed the people
at Buckingham Courthouse few weeks
ago, and made a good impression. He
made fine report as to the soil and peo-
pie of Buckingham. The farmers are
anxious to employ reliable laborers, and
DESTROYS to secure Scotch or English i'm
migrants. DR.. Oliver gave some very good
advice to the freedmen. Yet he is proba-
bly, too sanguine in his opinions, and crea-
ting higher expectations than may be real
lied.
Little or no interest is taken in politics.
The people have simply met and organized
in both counties, appointing superintend-
ents and committees, as proposed by the
late Conservative Convention held in Rich
mond.
Money is q very scarce commodity, and
what little can be possibly spared is de-
voted to the necessary repairs OF the plan
tations and such labor saving machines as
will facilitate the operations Of cooking,
washing, and sewing, in order to save time
and money.
We have had lately two deep SHOWS, and
che ground has been covered for the past
week with snow seven or eight inches
deep, and will probably remain with us
some time. A good supply Of ice has been
obtained by those who have the energy,
along with the mule team, and who value
the creature comfort in fly time.
There is no news of special interest,
and every one seems to be pursuing the
even tenor of his way as best he can, amid
the Responding times and circumstances
in which our lot has been cast.
Our condition is vastly better in every
respect than that Of the people in North
Carolina and further south. Therefore
we ought not to despair and be cast down
while we have yet SO many blessings left
us. Let us hope that the light may soon
appear, and, repenting of our sins, pray
that Gods heavy judgments may be soon
removed from our own afflicted land.
Yours, KEN.