The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-01-27
CoIUMnIA Jan,,arv o5 1o-o

u COLUMBIA, January 25, 1870.
honorable e. z. Leslie-SIR: In compliance
with your request. rented the property pur.
chased by you as Land Commissioner in Able
vile County, known al the Marshall Lands.
arrived there in company with Capt Mann,
somc forty families, comprising in tile aggre-
gate some two hundred snuls. But as it was
Saturday, many OF the freedmen (heads of
iamiiissl had gone off to attend to some bust
ness, leaving word that they would all meet
me- there on the Monday following.
"e learned from many that were there that
yagno, false and unfounded reports, calcu-
lated to deter some good men from settling
and deceive others as to tho terms on which
your Legislature had provided for the settle
mont of these lands; learning, also. hat the
uelghoors living near by entertained mist aiken
views as 10 THIS scheme OF tho Legislator O in
purchaslng lands 80 as to enable a poor man
TO secure home; therefore, deemed it best
TO invite all the neighbors and freedmen to
,,r ,nee. me tnSre on the Monday following, as
proposed When arrived here on Mondav the
ioth instant, mot very large number of
freedmen, as also many white friends from
the surrounding settlements; and, from fur
ther conversation, was still more imnressnd
and convinced Of the evil that these vague and
unfoundcd reports had and might still furthtr r
produce, when l felt it my duty to address
s9em, which did, in language. tho substance
OF which you will see by reference to the DAILY
PHGNIN. OF the 23d instant
was Rlad to notice the careful attention
PAID by all to what I said, and rejoice at the
man! evidences there given, which was suf-
lcleht TO assure me that a more correct under
standing and a better state of feeling com
menced, and think will continue to exist in
that section OF country. for was assured by
tho white ctizens of that vicinity that they
were highly gratitied at tho idea OF sober and
Industrious freedmen settling these lands
some or the freedmen, regret to saw. had
D." seen deceived, by having been told that these
lands was TO be given to them, and, under this
impression, had moved thero.
After my address, invited all who felt able
or willug, to como to tho house and give me
their names, where, during tho balance OF that
day and the one following, come twenty-cight
men came forward and gave me their names:
anu thc loiiowlng tuesday was spent in COM
ana those twenty-eight freedmen in pointing
out rnd selecting their lots. all of which was
done to the entire satisfaction of those con-
ccrncd.
Then attended there the lith, 18th. 18th
ana lSih, receiving the evidences that those
VINO had aclected lots could give, that they
were able to comply with the very reasona Bile
terms proposed, up to which timo fifteen had
complied, the others making preparations.
when was relieved by Capt Mann. to whom,
the rcmalndcr of this settlement had been
committed. ~
congratulate the freedmen that NAV settlc
OH the place, as also the neiShbors that live
verify believe that from Capt. Manns good
Judgment, his firm, decided and peaceable
character, that he is eminontly qualified and
VIII be friend to the freedmen a friend 10
PEACE and good order, and an acquisition TO
the settlement, and social friend to his
nelShDors, when, feel assured, that all bit
tor 1eeins may cease, and the turbulent and
angry waters be emoothed and uuicted before
they are swallowed up by hard labor Yours
opcolent, II. l.. JEFFERS