The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-01-04
fnformation.
Condition Of the Blacks - the
Cotton GreWlng 9toeQtsA 4

BUREAU REFucRzs. Fs..Dxns AND ksass |
DoNED LANDS
OFFICE ASST CONN OF MISSISSIPPI,
VICKsBuRe, Miss, DEC. 10, 1867.
Maj, Gen. f. o. C. Ord, Commanding Fourth
Military District: III 80
GENERAL-I feel it incumbent upon me, as
Assistant Commissioner Bureau Of Refugees
Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, for this State
to represent to you the present condition of the
freedmen and planters, and their prospects for
the future.
AT the close of the war cotton, heretofore the
great staple of the South, commanded what was
regarded an enormous price, say from forty to
sixty cents per pound, the result OF which was
to cause large amount of capital from the North
to be invested in the production OF cotton. La
Dor, of course, commanded price comparatively
beyond what had hitherto been known in the
planting and farming districts, ranging from $50
to $50 per month, with rations, for hrst class
field hands. The short crop of 1865 dispelled the
illusion entertained by many capitalists of rap
idly accommodating fortune, and in many cases
utterly ruined planters and adventures, who
had invested their all in single crop. Yet
there was "A sufficient number who regarded
their losses as the result of exceptional season,
added to the number Of landholders who deter
mined to risk the result of another years plant
ing to maintain the high rate of wages Of the
were the consideration, ranged from $l5 to $40
per month; and where the land was titled on
shares, the planter agreed to furnish the land,
animals, utensils, and in many cases, forage the
freedmen furnishing labor. In most of these
cases, the laborer having no subsistence and no
credit, the planters agreed to become respon-
sible for the supplies necessary for the laborer
and his family, the amount to be deducted from
the share of the laborer when the crops were
gathered. ErTR9ND 1Yf
In consequence of the dry weather and worms,
the crop of 1867 has not exceeded half of what
was regarded as an average crop and that has
not commenced but one-half of the price of the
previous year, thus reducing the proceeds to one
fourth of what was anticipated by the planter
and freepman as the proceeds Of the years labor.
The result is the financial run of the planter and
capitalist, and discomfort of the laborer.
In cases where laborers worked for stated
wages there is but little complaint or discomfort
on the part of the freedmen, remuneration hav-
ing generally been received by the laborsr either
in money or supplies, or if not paid, the claim
can be easily established or adjudicated and if
The planter has the means the claim can be coli
lected. Where the laborer has worked for 4
share Of the crop endless litigation has been the
consequence. The laborer being without
means, has generally been furnished the neces-
sary supplies by the planter or on his security.
On gathering the crop it has in a majority Of
cases been ascertained that the share Of the la
borer does not pay his Indebtedness for supplies
advanced, and inspead of receiving a dividend he
is in debt. This causes great discomfort and q
conviction. perhaps we'll founded in some instan-
ees, OF dishonesty and false accounts on the part
ofplanters, but cannot generally be the case
Instances have occsrred where the planters have
abandoned the crops to the laburers, losing tima
the use of their animals and Implements and the
It. - 1
my attention of planting where not only the en-
tire crop has been turned to the laborers to salts
fy their claims, but also the mules and imple-
lnents used in the production. The result of this
condition of Affairs is the almost universal deter
ninatioA of planters to abandon the culture Of
cotton, and even if they wanted to prosecute I'LL
another year, it would, I apprehend, be impossi,
bic for them to procure further advances of the 4
necessary supplies from any merchant, SO prev
aient 10 the conviction that cotton cannot be pro-
dnced at the present prices, ia
The next year the land in cultivation will be
almost entirely devoted TO corn, which. requires
but about one-ffth Of the labor demanded by cot. i
ton therefore four-ffths of the laborers required
last year will be thrown cut of employment, and
Ofcourse there will be a corresponding decrease
ofwages This the freedmen do not appreciate,
considering it the result of combination to de-
fraud them of what they consider just wages
The consequences Is they almost universally de-
cline entering into contracts for the year 1868 on
the terms offered by planters f,r- = est
The crop of 1867 having been gathered, the
freedmen are nowidl and without. in great
majority OF Instances, the means of support. The
result is great complaints from every section of
the State of depredations being committed on live
stock, hogs, sheep and cattle. This is now the
condition of affairs in the State Of Mississippi.
Planters are without means, having little left
-. 4
limits of the State refuse to make advances from
the unsettled condition, of affairs. The freedmen,
being to great extent discontented, refuse to
enter into contracts for the. coming year. The
remedy to be applied demands most thorough
consideration for the military, either through
the commanders of troops agents of the Bu-
reau to reach all sections of the State TO see that
all persons able to earn their support are com.
PEELED to do so, and that all those who do labor
receive compensation for the same, is simply inn
possible. The care of the poor and the duty of
seeing that contracts are faithfully executed
properly belongs to the local magistrates and
higher courts.
How far ii is safe, under the peculiar condition
OF affairs existing in this State, TO trust the civil
authorities with this duty it is for you. to whom
the act creating this District ntruSts "tie secu-
rity of life and property to Judge To empow-
er the local magistrates TO arrest vagrant, All
persons wlhont visible means az support would
no doubt laad to acts of injustice but the civil
authorities, being recognized and intrusted with
the execution Of the civil law collection of taxes
and the care Of the poor, it would seem to be "A
necessary consequence that, rs a protection to the
community, they should have authority to com
pei all who are able to support themselves, and
thus prevent them from becoming burden upon
the community To deny the civil authorities
the exercise OF this right is to place the freed