Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-08-09
ALEXANDRIA, GAZETTE AYE VIRGINIA ADVERTISER.
letter from, Hanover County. Va.

Lh
Correspondence of the Alexandra Gazette
Mr. Edmund Rufiu, the venerable AMI dis
tinguished agriculturist, who resCct III the
lower end of this county, owned ScTTart ty
tic name Of Harry Bash. b. some means or
other Harry has worked lis va ny i".' oar
Forks" and !or two years has hem engaged
in farming. Last year he rented land from " IL
liam Brown, a coored politician, and without
teams OF pows-with the aid only OF a son
some twelve years Of acc-hc hocd M, TliGGd;
nlontcd and cultivated a crop OF corn. And
am crejlibly informed that he made nearly as
mnch corn, as did Brown with two mules ana
two men,, This year, he has with the same
assistance. cleared, crubbed, broke up. planted
and thoroughly worked with hoes alone, tour
acres of land. Meeting with him few days ago
| asked him what sort OF master was Mr;
Rufin? He replied, that he was Lara
working man, and required every one t. he ID
plac, and DO his whole duty. But he trea'e1l
his servants well, giving them an abundahci Of
good food and clothing, and attending 10 them
in sickness We'll Harry, | asked, ~ you
had a strict and hard working master, "lsh
YOU would tell me candidiy, what Is your eX'
pcriencc as to the comparative case and ENJOY
ment you have cXpcricnccd,In state OF slavery
and OF irccdom?' "Wcll sir, he replied, i
had great deal less care anl trouble ant aux
iety when | was with Old master, than nave
ever had since then tclt no trouble about
my food and raiment--it made no difference
whether there was a drought or 4 h?oi' l
knew my provisions would b. supplied
lelt no concern about sickness, doctors hlIi'
sheriff fees, &C., old master paid al! Of them.
And have TO work Just as hard since | have
been free as ever did when was slave
nor is it 4 matter of choice, Tor can scarcely
keep my wife and children from starving, by at
t.. g" do and see great deal Of trouble '''"'
Mary Jackson, IN excellent servant, has been
sick for some time and meeting with her yes
terday she told me her husband left her siH
days ago, without provisions. and in pies
condition -"Ah master, She S4'd,2~ r!.' us
into tears, 81 have wished i thousand time
since have been free, that | had my OLD ms
tress to take care Of mc-l have seen n plea
sure sine have been free.
One old negro, who seems to have rs muc'
discrimination rs honesty says. II never knew
how much expense was TO old master until
was free, and mad to support myself.
II one halt the sorrow OF mind and angus!
of spirit. which is wrapped in the sable SKIN:
of the freedmen oil Virginia could be pubIlsne'
it would make the darkest page OF suiicnn9
and want which has ever blurred the history
of the Commonwealth. And yet Radical poIl
ticians are ever alternating them from HEIR hcS
and only friends; LEADING them from the path
of honest toll aud patient imustry, and guild
| Ing Tor them, with VAIN and dcu>lvc hopes
| the sadtlcst ald darkest future which e"e
rowncd upon race OF moriGS.
| will add to this lrltcr the gratifying tate
| mcnt, that we have lad quite good ram tn
cvcninr-tlc first 81. aay Importance since th'
| 81 Of June liANoNEK.
AupuSt T. l~Up