Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-04-22
The ss contract'' of no Effect when Un'
favorable to the Negro.

A citizen of the State writes to General
Scott, under dateof April 8, as follows: On
the 10th of March last. I hired man from
that time to the 25th December, agreeing to
pay. him $40, he to do all kinds of work re-
qpired of him on farm; to work from SUM-
rise till dusk T; to pay fifty cents for the first
day, and one dollar per day thereafter, lost
by.absence without leave, and twenty five
cents for lost days by sickness, to furnish
him with two and palf pounds Of bacon and
one on peck of meal per week." The writer
complains that the freedman did not keep his
contract, but, without provocation, ran away !;
and wishes to know "if there is any recourse
to law in any court of the United States for
damages, or to bring the man back to prop
er sense of honor and justice" Gen. Scott
replied on the 1lth inst as follows:
HEAp'oRs ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
B. R. F. AND ABANDoFED LANDS, x t
, . DIsra1cr OF South CAROLINA,
CHARLESTON, s. O., April 10th, 1868.
Sir: In reply to yours of April 9th, in
which you recite the terms Of the contract pe
tween yourself and Jerry Scott, | have to e1-
press my sympathy with you in your trouble !.
-Four dollars per month, with two and 'haif
pounds of bacon and one peck of meal per
week, and only one dollar per day deducted
for absence without leave, and twenty-five
cents per day for lost days on account OF SICK:
ness, is surely all that any able-bodied man
should ask a. compensation for doing "all
kinds of work required Of him on farm from
sunrise until dusk" I am not surprised that
you should feel greatly outraged that this man
has been induced to withdraw from contract
go liberal and just as the one you have de-
scribed. regret that am unable to arrest
this man and return him to your service, tor
it must be evident that a man who refuses to
avail himself of your liberality is either de-
ficient in gratitude, or totally unable to care
for himself. Your statement that ne was al
ways " freeman" will account for his want
of appreciation of your generous intentions.
1t will be unnecessary for you to forward me
any certificates as to your own character ana
integrity, your recent communication beng
all the evidence shall require as to those
particulars. ,,, :,
I am unable to say whether you will be able
to "recover any damages" from the man who
has hired him (Jerry Scott), or whether you
" will be able to bring him to sense OF nom
or and Justice" If 1 knew as much about
him as do of you'll might venture an opln-
ion on this last point.
have, in accordance with your request,
made an early reply to your communication
and regret that l cannot make it more satlS-
factory to you. Respectfully, y,ouu
Signedl Il. Il. SloII.
Bvt. Major General, Asst. Com, S. c.
Had the citizen in question not known
Jerry Scott, and not valued his services
worth more than 81 per month and rations,
but had made an agreement with the said
Jerry to give him $50 per month, and after
wards dismissed the negro, and violated thecon
tract, would Gen. Scott have held the contract
as invalid. aud suffered the citizen to dismiss
the negro without paying the last farthlng
spec6cd in the contract? That's the ques-
ton. A contract is CONTRACT when
once duly entered into-all parties ought to be
made abide by it.