Year: 1865

As you are doubtless aware, large num-
bers of colored persons have gathered in
| the counties round about Fortress Monroe
and the city of Norfolk, and have become,
by entering the Federal lines and by State
emancipation, freedmen. In the county OF
Elizabeth city alone-a small city-there
are between twelve and fifteen thousand.


Having been, before the reballion, like
most Southern men, decided pro-slavery
man, and apprehensive of disastrous results
from any sudden change in the relations of
master and servant, l have watched care
fully and with deep interest the practical
operation of emancipation, and venture to
communicate the result of my observations.


I had supposed and expected to see from
the sudden and radical change, much revul-
sion and disturbance, and much discomfort
and injury, if not ruin, to both the white
and black races. But own to an entire
and most agreeable disappointment. 1t is
almost incredible that in SO short space
of time, the people Of all grades and colors,
should have gotten fully into the gear of
the new system, and so readily and effectu-
ally adapted themselves to the great rev.
olution. .,fi.. 81
First, have noted fully the effect upon
the colored population of the great instinc-
tive impulse that prompts the species to de-
sire the appropriation to the producer of
the products of his labor The animating
principle seems to have made of the negro
new creature Men who, as slaves, were
known to be idle and worthless, have be-
come industrious and thrifty. Many have
accumulated considerable property, and
have given new comforts to their families,
X t;ro n droc fah hiifu A fOr.
mer servant of mine, who is still located on
my farm, has improved and enlarged his
buildings, owns a cart, two horses, several
COWS, goodly supply OF farming anu gar
dening utensils, raises pork enough for the
supply of his family, aud gives employment
to several of his darkey neighbors. Anoth-
er has done quito as well, and sports much
finer buggy and team than his former mas
ter. A third one earns twenty-five dollars
per month as teamster.


These are mere examples; but this class
is quite numerous and daily enlarging.-
There are exceptions to this favorable pic
ture, of course. But the example of the
industrious and thriving is gradually exer-
cising its influence upon the contrary class
by exhibing the marked difference in the
condition of the two classes, and thus re-
claiming the idle and vicious. And the rev.
olution is going on each hour, and will go
| on until its work shall have been consuma-
ted. What has done all this? 1t is but the
operation of the instinct of our nature that
human being will labor harder and exert
more energy when what he works for is to
be, when his work shall have been done,
his o,cn. God, in his wisdom and goodness,
has implanted deep in the human bosom
the desire for the acquisition OF property,
and just as deep has He fixed in the human
constitution the principle that engagement
is the great secret and source of the thing
we call human happiness. And actual re-
suit is fast demonstrating that the instinct
and the principle are common to both races
animate and impel as we'll the black man
as the white. .'fe
Engage the negro and he becomes hap
pier and and more moral. Let him have
| for his own use and disposition the products
of his labor and he will have engagement
with all its moral and physical results
There lies the simplest secret Of the future
regeneration of the black race.


A corollary from this is the proposition
that the white man is to be benefited by
the change from slave to paid labor. Pay
the negro his daily or monthly wages and ho
works far more cheerfully and faithfully.


But experience here, too, offers its in
struction am entirely satisfied that paid
labor is far moro profitable. A day or two
since | convorsed with ono OF the most in.
telligcnt farmers OF my countya shrewd
man and good calculator, and who before
tho rebellion cultivated his Iarm with his
own slavos---and asked for his experience.
llo declared that his proGts had been more
than double under the system Of paid labor.
| asked him tho reason. lilo said the dar-
kcy did double as much work since he was
paid that ho had no trouble and no OK
pcnsc about the maintenance Of his labor,
oil that being taken of his hands by merg-
Ing maintonAnce in the per diem allowance;
and that hc had no drones on hand, no old
aud nHrm TO support. He said, further,
that he did more work himself, and that his
family did more, SO that they got along
with less help. .a4.,l


Several other farmers gave me similar
accounts, and believe that q man VINO
would now propose to re-intrcduce slavery
into my county would be regarded IN any
other light than that Of public beneiac-
tor