New-York tribune., 1868-03-16
MISSISSIPPI.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ALLEGED WIDESPREAD
DEsTITCTION.

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ALLEGED WIDESPREAD
DEsTITCTION.
70 ne Editor OfTAe TribpHe
SIR: Some time in the month of November
1857 His Excelency B. G. Humphreys Governor Of the
state Of Mississippi issued proclamation in which he
set forth and declared that desttutOn prevailed an
alarming extent In large portion OF the State and 1t
was feared many Of the freedmen would perish from
starvation unless something done speedily for their
relief" He also declared that he had evidence
10 the effect that "evil disposed persons
were endeavoring to excite the black
people 10 revolt He recommended the enforcement OF
the yagrant Of the State TO increase vigilance on
the part Of all civil officers OF the State and warned the
freedmen that any demonstration OF violence on their
part would be put down any cost and would probably
lead to war Of races which would terminate in the ex
termination OF the colored race.
Gen. Z. o. c. Ord, Commanding the Fourth Military
District approved the proclamation and issued an accom-
anying order directing the enforcement OF the Nagrant
laws the State and ordering that all freedmen should
procure themselves steady employment even If they
had to work for their food and clothing they failed
TO do So they liable TO be arrested vagrants
This OF course would be better than starvation better
han that the Government should feed them If such des
aitution prevailed, and starvation was imminent The
Rebels at once took advantage OF the aforementioned
proclamation and order, TO put wages right down
20 a mere pttance. Many would give
more than food and clothing, and would not
fake them at that unless they good hands and with
out families and know some good hands who looked
Tor weeks and could place because they took
an active part in the election held Tor convention last
support OF the Government OF the united states Men
we're turned of In many casee without pay, be
their employer had ialed ana oui One
families, compelled 10 secure place Oh emPloy-
ment nnder the aforementioned circumstance,
or be baD TesS Ss1c a0S 0S public saSh " fad d All this
they were told was the result OF their voting the RepuO
can ticket Before the first OF February 1865 II was AIS
covered that the demand for labor greatly exceeded the
supply Planters were ohering from onr 10 nVe uoh
preinium for hands, aud could not get them at that
hoard the A. A. General Of this District say, on the
third day Of February that there had been applications
ifed hands, and they had only been able TO hire
Two hundred / heard similar statements from
agents and clerks OF the Freedmens Bureau In other
parts Of the State. know men VINO have been employed
the planters the planters giving from
a. 10 s. per head premium 9nd payl an Inc
planters could not raise hwages of the a0Orer because
they had procured poEfon OF ther force az very low
wages and TO pay more " portion OF tneir force would
but demoraize tie whole force. and BESIDE ~ would be
greatly against their interests and inelnations
erhe highest wages have heard OF any plan,
Tor nrst'ciass male hands, and from this IL ranges
down 10 food and clOeng and there Is No Necessity ior
noypR more tho freedmen VIII not Dlre tne{ 10 70
The sheriff other officer and report them as NOT ns &
freedman is Of nOtine oheialy tnat ne must Con
tact or be arrested q vagNa and there no aternS
tive for the poor freedman, ana tne eohtrnes % nsSo
Fhus labor b made subject to the Will OF the emP0yet
n often occurs that the contracts thus Iorced
from the freedman is made ont Dy the
employer and reach the freedman BY some friend OF tne
for his food aud clothing know freedman VINO N
every respect as 10 industry fugay and INTEGRITY 10
exemplary man. and would be CONSIDERED as suehany
where among the farming e0mnunidHosJb mn VI @ r' ~ ne
as 10 industry and integrity There arc many men
Gn the North Who would prize highly sueh fanny Oh