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£he Central Directory.—A Texan’s Testimony.
Col. Forshey before the Cor.itc.e on Reconstruction.
On the Application oftheUon. Reverdy John
son, of Maryland* Col. Fershey, of Texas, was
summond to'appear before the committee to testi
fy to the condition am^dispositiou of the “‘»tates_
lately in rebellion.”
Swum by the Chairman of the Committee,
q. Of what State are you a resident and how
Jong? A. 1 have resided twelve years in lexas.
q. Fi om what State, did you e migrate to Texas ?
A. I claim to be a Virginian, though chiefly rear
ed in Ohio, whither my father removed from Vir
ginia in my boyhood; I received my collegiate
education at Kenyon College, Ohio; uiy military
mid scientific elements at West Point; iny life of
manhood has been passed in Louisiana and Texas.
Q. Have you been in the rebel service, and in
what way ? A. 1 have served during the war
was Lieutenant Colonel of Engineers, chiefly en
gaged in the defenses west of the Mississippi..
Q. What knowledge have y<»u of the condition
and disposition of the people of the Stales lately
in rebellion against the United States? A. 1
think I have pretty good knowledge as to the
three Southwestern States, in which my acquaint
ance is very extensive, and, perhaps, may assume
to have a fair degree of general knowledge sis to
the other Confederate States; at least I have made
the matter a continual subject of inquiry and ob-
servath u, and without knowing the kind of infor
mation desired, will answer when I can.
Q. What is the state of public Older and obedi
ence to the United States authorities in Texas,
aud the other States of which you Lave knowledge ?
A. Good order aud obedience are universal in'lex
as and elsewhere, as 1 believe. It lias never been
otherwise in Texas, unless possibly on the Rio
Grande frontier, there may be occasional excep
tions among the turbulent character, that have no
special habitation either side of the border.
Q. Please state whether that good older you de
scribe is due to the presence and authority ot the
United States troops, and whether, upon their re
moval, there would not be disorder and disloyal
ty ? A. It is certainly in no degree due to the
presence of troops. In fact, any exceptions to the
remark may be imputed to the irritating fact that
soldiers are about. Their removal would every
where be a public blessing, unless needed on the
frontier to guard against Indians or Mexican rob
bers.
<.)>. Why do you say “irritating,” arc they not
well behaved ? A. Generally they are, but their
presence is understood as an emblem oi our sub
mission. Every bayonet is a symbol of our sub-
■jugation, aud is viewed as an evidence that our
surrender and parole are not received in good
faith. We need no watching, and naturally dis
like the guards that watch us.
Q. Would loyal men be safe among yon without
Federal protection ? A. All men were safe before
theie was any.Fedefcl^iuthority among us. Af
ter the surrender, we were months without officers
or law. A military order vacated or annulled all
official functions, and deprived us of every spe,
cies of legal restraints, and for months furnished
lio substitute for the authority suppressed. Troops
have not at any time readied our interior gen
erally, ancLyet, throughout the vast area of Texas,
just replenished by«riie return of iitry thousand
disbanded soldiers, there was as good order and
as much respect for rights aud morals as in any
Northern State or elsewhere. I regard it as a
great test of our civilization ; J wish the fact to be
put on record in our favor. The same was true,
■as I believe, in most of the Southern States. Not
a single resistance to Federal authority fras ever
taken place to the present day ; and when it is
considered that nearly half a million of men have
just returned from a conflict of four years, in which
they have fought for national life and honor, we
think they shouid claim a respect that should re
move sentinels and disband the armies, white and
black, that watch us.
<2- Is ii generally believed that tbe troops are
kept to humiliate the people? A. Perhaps that
would too strongly express it. They feet that it
is calculated to humiliate, and that those who or
der it are reckless of this fact. We believe it to
be obvious to all, both North and South, that ne
gro troops placed to guard their late masters, is
■viewed with repugnance aud proper indignation
by every man, woman and child, of true spirit in
the South ; and some of the military treatment of
the South is accepted by them as intended to de
grade them.
Q. Have negro troops been generally sent as
garrisons in Texas? A. Fortunately they have
not. On tiie frontier they have been sent in great
numbers, but we have very little population tiiere,
and do not feel it. At Gaiveston they have had
them, but only passing to or from other service.—
I fear that the results would have been serious
had they been generally sent through Texas.—
There are some tilings our returned soldiers would
not bear, and I believe that is one. The question
as to the safety of loyal men I have not fully an
swered. From the time of surrender their were
agents and drummers, and cotton buyers, from
the Northern States, all over Texas ; and at this
time they and other emigrants and travelers from
the loyal States so-called, probably number thou
sands in Texas. In no case have they been in
terrupted, so far as I know If there have been
exceptions, they were doubtless the result of im
prudent meddling, or censorious language. This
will provoke individual retort and chastisement
anywhere in Texas. Those who mind their own
business will be unmolested. It is one of our hab
its to mind our own business, and to expect aud
require it ,.f others. We are glad to receive men
who bring capital to help us revive our shattered
fortunes, anu do not care whence they come. I
believe these remarks hold good for all the late
Confederate States.
Q. Do your people view the Freedman’s Bu
reau as a valuable and needful institution, aud
profitable in the re establishment of negro labor ?
A. They do riot. According to my own observa
tion and the testimony of acquaintances, with
whom I have just compared views, from five dis
tant portions of our great State, the influence of
the Freedman’s Bureau is universally pernicious,
and the institution is viewed by the people, almost
unanimously, as a nuisance. This remark applies,
foo, according to my inlormation, to the other
States.
Q. Why so? A. For various causes; the Bu
reau is auniinistered, as far as I can learn, by per
sons having no knowledge of our people or of the
negroes; they are nearly all imported from a dis
tance and are antagonistic in feeling to the people,
and st li-sufficieut as to their duties, and their des
potic power seems to have turned their heads;
even when well disposed aud conscientious, they
are so profoundly ignorant of the subject they
have to deal with, as to blunder continually, and
excite ridicule; in Texas we have been unfortu
nate in the chief of the Bureau, who was a fanati
cal and exceedingly self-sufficient man ; he began
by preaching to the negroes, and offending socie
ty by bis social treatment ofthem ; we don’t need
missionaries to teach us social relations or a labor
system ; and be offended us by bis arrogance, and
turned the heads of the poor ignorant negroes.
(j. Could you manage the institution better
yourselves ? Would your people deal fairly and
humanely by the negroes? A. The institution is
offensive iu itself, aud a nuisance in practice. If
left to ourselves we would reject it, as the only
management it deserves. Wo would probably
pass but few laws relating to the late slaves, that
would not apply to the whites ; and as to fair
treatment, the best and only real friend the negro
lias on earth, is his old master. This the poor de
luded creatures are fast discovering, and many
thousands are returning to their former homes,
tired of the freedom thrust upon them, which they
never sought.
How would you better the matter 7 "Would
the people return theuegroto slavery ? A. There
is no such intent or disposition anywhere to re-en-
slave the negro. They regard that, as entirely a
seltled question, and impossible if they desired it
It would he presumption on my part to submit a
plan extemporaneously upon which our people
would work. I chq give you only the views of a
private citizen, who has never been in, or aspired
to political position. 1 would suggest., (and be
lieve it would find favor with our people,) such
legislation as should compel all men to comply
with their contracts for services, in kind, at least
for one year, under penalty of working on public
works without wages. All men nearly, would
bargain with and treat them justly, aud most men
even kindly. The reported antagonism which
fills Northern Radical papers, is not merely ex-
siggerated. It is manufactured out of whole cloth—
ii is false. No such antagonism exists; aud col
lisions have occurred only, within my own knowl
edge, w here negroes have been stimulated to im
pudence and hostility by opinions of soldiers or
agents of the Freedman’s Bureau. This will nev
er be tolerated.
Q. Have tho freedmen gone to work in Texas,
and on what terms ? A. I am informed that they
have generally, since the first of January. Up to
that time they had a vague expectation of some
thing more than freedom, which had only depriv
ed them of homes. Finding that nothing but work
would get bread, they have hired, generally for
good wages ; men at $8 to $15, and women at $5
planters have hiicd by giving a share of
one fourth to one third.
in-crop- 11 have seeh it Estimated at ode-fourth the *?hole
i number, ana do not think it too great a figure.—
has hitherto been taught .. . -
will be well if the negro can lnam.ain Lie^mora.
will »e wen n ' ” ,, - T i er „ ,Sotte- iiie re*nit ot totai aoanai
aud religious teachings lw has , ‘ ' e ^ , rle . or is it f roul the eiuporar,
no hope of it myself; as ho will hate k> kee. In. »<•»«,.» , jm W wL.u!
self, aud has neither disposition nor capacity | toexnlaia in reply to
*,i,nr,itM the condition of his race. Ho has no f' 1 - r*
ameliorate the condition
history, no tradition, nothing without or unpin,
to stimulate pride; no aspiration above the ser
vice of the master race, lleretofme his master
has furnished him with religious instruction, to
the extent that one single denomination, the Mc-tio
odist Church. South, reports a membership oi
hundreds of thousands. This is at an end now.
They will have lo pay for theii own re.igious
teachings like other free people.
Q Have they capacity to learn ? A. l o some
extent they have. The little children :oarn rap
idly to read and write. But their capacity is lim
ited, I think. They arc imitative but without
ambition. They will learn, bat cannot apply their
learning. ...... ,
Q. Has not this been caused by their long deg
radation in slavery? Will they not now nave
sufficient stimulus to produce a different result?
A. We believe not. In fact we view the whole
matter from a stand point so different from that of
Northern men, that there is little room for debate.
Q. Will you state whether you are not a believ
er in slavery, and Whether most Southern men
share your opinion ? A- Emphatically so. I be
lieve that so far from the black man’s degradation
by slavery, he was exlialted by it, ami that to the
best condition he has ever enjoyed, and to the
best of which, as a race, he is capable- loi some
thousands of years he has been in contact v. ith
white civilizations, and has ever aspired to seive
the master race. He seeks the menial employ
ments wherever lie is found. Even in the Northern
States, after half a century or freedom, I And him
no where teaching your schools. Ailing your pul
pits or legislative halls; but blacking ynr boots
and cleaning your stables aud ditches. By appro
priating him to this department and manual indii'-
try, taking bis service and paying him by think
ing and providing lor him, we believe we seive
God and the cause of humanity.
And as the questions have led to this point,
please to indulge me iu reciting some ot the
evidence that my researches have furnished, that
this people have seen their best condition and will
never flourish again.
Q. Certainly. Proceed. A. Our census takers
furnish industrial and vital statistics hum which
there is iio appeal. They show three points
that I wilt state from memory.
1. The free blacks m the Northern States: in
spite of the continuaisupplies from tiie South, de
creased in the last decennial period, nearly eight
per cent in numbers.
2. The free blacks of the Southern States in
creased about as much, making a difference oi
sixteen per cent., while
3. The slave black by his side increased twenty-
four per cent, in numbers.
Taking, then, the axiom of political science,
that the productiveness of a people is the most un
failing evedeuee of their socia^ condition, the slave
black has been in a Letter condition than any oth
er people, white or biack,#oti this continent. It is
to this conclusion that yon may impute our teuac-
he good order you represent in tbe South
suit of toiai abandonment of the
try necessity of
igly resumed ?
tnose queries.
There is no intention anywhere t.o renew ihe con-
t,*.*t. When we surrendered and were paroled,
wc did so in good faith, aud wi.l keep our parole
as long as the conditions ara fi lulled. To doubt
thi.;, is to mistake entirely the Southern character.
When they surrendered they gave it up; aud any
doubt of their good faith is offensive, so much
th;n, personally.they wilirosent it. They surren
dered as men, as your equals, upon honorable
terms, aud will keep faith to the letter^aud fight
those who doubt it.
q. What did they give up ? A. Their arms aud
the questions at stake.
q. What were those questions as you under
stood them ? A. The light to a separate national
ity and independence, ou our part. A central
government ignoring 8tale rights, and the de
struction of slavery on the part of the United
States.
q, You speak of the terms of submission. What
terms do you mean ! A. Those stipulated in ac
tual surlender, of protection in person and prop
erty, so Long as we should obey tbs laws; and
those submitted by the president of the United
States iu his proclamations, and plan of reorgani
zation. Thus far we have endeavored to comply
with all requirements, unreasonable and oppres
sive, and held our peace, lest complaints might be
misconstrued into disloyalty, as they have been
elsewhere. •
q. Is the present feeling the same as heretofore?
A. 1 think not. The return of good feeling has
been greatly repressed, I think, by the rejection of
memb-rs from States already recognized. There
seems to be a suspicion of bad faith, and a fear
that they have been decoyed into the steps they
have taken ; and much apprehension. And suouid
this bo continued after the Texas Representatives
get here, they will be, I fear, a great revulsion
of feeling.
q. Wnat will they do in that case ? A. I can
not answer. They cannot resort to arms, because
thev have surrendered them. Iliey arc tired of
war and utterly broken in fortunes. But they are
not without the spirit that feels indignation at bro
ken faith and continued oppression.
<2- In case of a war with any other power Low
would your people act ? A. I cannot answer di
rectly. Should they not be admitted into' the
Union, as expected, they certainly would not
teel called upon to resist the enemy. If ad
mitted, they want peace above ail things, and
would not unite in an aggressive war upon Mexi
co, Canada, Cuba, or any other nation. In case
of invasion sweeping over them, they would resist
and do their whole duty, as they have heretofore
done in two wars. But they desire peace above
all things, and take very little interest in politics.
They have gone to work to mond their fortunes,
nod are determined to prosper, whatever the polit
ical condition of the country. They believe that
the Northern States have possession of the Govern
ment, and are determined at all hazards to keep
it. They therefore look to the support of their
itv in defending the system. Out experience had Ha.mlies, Hini are indifferent about general politics.
•” . . ° .1 1 . a r t .1. Lm/v lie f»M« Ih'ile n 11 VI11 cr 111 SHltn fil l.llft
taught us how to consult the best interest of both
races, and we found them in precise harmony ;
believed the blacks were designed by Providence
as a supplomeht to the white race, and that to this
institution.in part, we owned the higher civilization
we claimed.
Q, Please define what you mean by “higher
civilization”? A. The pride of character, the
chivalrous tone and the liberality and hospitalities
of our people ; the broad views and great genius
of our public ineu ; the delicacy, modesty, refine
ment, and yet the lofty spirit of our women. We
had a society without gossip, envy or fanaticism;
a population of millions without beggars or pau
pers. Whether this was a higher civilization, is
matter of opinion. Certainly it had a different
type, and one which would not longer harmonize
with yours; and hence the necessity, as we believ
ed, of separation.
Q. Then you were a secessionist originally?
A. No, I was a revolutionist, and this merged, in
my view, all nAno'r questions of State right to se
cede. The right of a people to change their ru
lers and their form of government was questiona
ble only with tyrants, aud such I was ready to re
sist from the date of Mr. Lincoln’s election.
Q. Was this the general view of Texans,jot
were there many who opposed it ? A. There
were many who voted against secession, but a
large majority for it. I done remember the dif
ference. But after the vote vv*s taken and the re
sult declared, the people were nearly a unit iu
support of the measure.
q. There were then not many loyal people in
Texas? A. They were almost unanimously loyal
—that is, to their Government. A few men of in
fluence and character left the State under the influ
ence of the President’s proclamation, giving forty
days for departure; and a few men w-lnP had
wielded influence remained, utterly without influ
ence, but opposed, as understood to the Gov
ernment. ‘
Q. Were such persons safe ? A. Not entirely so.
An expression of their opposition would have en
danger the best ofthem. They received such epi
thets as Southern sympathizers in your Northern
States, but were not so generally punished. Some
were arrested.
Q. Were many put to death? A. None that I
know of. It was stated that, on the frontier, some
were hung. I was not in service in that quarter,
and such obituaries were not likely to be publish
ed.
Q. Are they safe now iu returning? A. Many
have returned, and I believe all are unmolested.—
Generally they are not much respected. Some
arc now in the Convention. One is Governor.
Q. Wh at proportion of the Convention are
known as Union men? A. I am not informed.—
I have seen a statement that eleven were what wc
term Radicals.
Q. What will your Convention probably do ?—
A. I believe they will acquiesce in all that has
been prescribed to reorganizing, viz : the abolition
of slavery by the Government of the. United Slates;
the surrender of secession ; the repudiation of the
Confederate debt, aud tiie recognition oi civil
rights in the late slave.
Q Will the people of Texas probably prepare
for the enfranchisement of tiyt negro, or such of
them as may meet certain aualificalions of proper
ty and intelligence? ^V. Never, as 1 believe.—
They hold to a distinction of race that they ha o
a repugnance to compromise. They do not b- -
lit-ve iu the capacity of the negro for republican
citizenship, and if they did will not consent to af
filiate with him. In this they are probably as
stubborn as the people of the North, who like
them, feel the repugnance of race that God has
planted in our instincts.
-,Q. You stated in the former part of j-our testi
mony that the census tables exhibit a great dispar
ity in the reproductive power of the negro in free
dom and slavery. Please state to the Committee
how you aec.out for the difference. A. The differ
ence between tiie free blacks. North and South, is
chiefly due tb climate, I believe ; the tropics being
the native ciimate of the negro. But it may be
partially due to the readiness with which all desti
tution is relieved at the South. As before, we
have no poor-houses and no beggars. Tiie differ
ence between tin* free aud slave blacks is cbieliv i
due to two special causes. The care wo take of
infants, and'tne protection of the marriage relation
in slavery. The discipline and police ot the. plan
tation, enforces faithfulness in husband and wife,
aud secures as a consequence the proiifigncy of fam
ilies. There is little continence in the race, free or
slave, and |no pride of chastity. Promiscuous
commerce is fatal to feAndity. This is recogniz
ed almost universally by those who know them
well by close observation. Negro mothers are
proverbially reckless' of, and cruel to their off
spring. Blacks, whether infant or adult, have
little of the vital force to resist disease that whiles
have. When they get sick, unless well cared for,
they die. The owner’s interest in his slave (and
p 'ssibly a little sense of duty and humanity)
prompts him to take care of every life. Nurseries
are established on plantations, supervised by the
doctor and tiie mistress, that save the lives of in
fants. Tbe mother only comes to nurse her child,
and is too happy to be rid of further care. She
lias little of the affection for her young that char
acterizes white mothers, or many of the lower ani
mals. Her devotion to the chidren of her mistress
is often far greater than to her own. These facts
will explain why the negroes lately emancipated
a-e dying so fearfully. They have to thank the
emancipator for taking the life of one of eveiv four,
in this brief time ; and the process wid continue
in spite of Fancuil and Exlcr Kalis, Civil Rights
bills and the Freedmans’s Bureau. Even the lux
ury of voting would not save the race i'rome the
dorm of freedom and death.
Q- Has the mortality been so great as represent
So long as they can make a living, in spite of the
tax-collector, they may be quiet. But if the State
should be rejected, as the others have been, I should
rather have any other office than tax-gatherer.—
Taxation without representation is tyranny, and
they will so regard it in my judgment.
1) Do they expect admission at once to repre
sentation, and will they elect loyal men to Con
gress? A. Irby loyal men, you mean such as
could take the test oath, or iron-clad, as they gen
erally term it. they would not, generally. We
have not respectable material enough for that pur
pose, if so disposed. One or two men, such as
Judge Hancock and Judge Evans, who have been
spoken offer tbe Senate, and who have preserved
their integrity and respect for their people, though
disagreeing with them in the matter of secession,
might be elected as a compromise ; but they un
derstand an election as giving them a choice, and
they could not choose the men they have been
rigting, aud who have aided in their subjugation.
Certainly they expect admission ou reorganization,
as a part of the bond, but will not be greatly dis
appointed at a rejection, common to tbe other
•States. If they are re admitted, they will deem it
but in accordance with the plan they accepted in
good faith, if act, there are many who will say,
“ that isjustwhatwe said before; we are out of
the Union;"’ and many would be very glad oi tbe
result, if iticoald be, doue with peace; perhaps
three-fourths of tbe State. But they all desire
peace above all things, and will do nothing to pro
voke further trouble. This they have amply prov
ed by submitting to much unreasonable exaction,
as they think. The best, and I think the only
method ot staying the ebb tide of good feeling,
would be at once to withdraw all jroops from
among the people of the South except at the coast
and the frontier garrisons, to disband the entire
negro force, abolish every vostage of the Freed-
men’s Bureau, and to admit the representatives ot
tho revolutionary States, upon the single condi
tion of their taking tho oath required by the Con-
stitution. Time will doubtless, in this ease, assu
age feelings that have beeu too intensely enlist
ed to subside at once.
Tnz Street Railroad.—Messrs. Ebbett &
Pbiliips, having obtained a chaiter from tbe Leg
islature and a grant from tbe city, to construct a
system of street railroads in this city, are prepar
ing to proceed with the work and to press it to a
speedy completion. We learn that Mr. Phillips,
who is now in New York has made arrangements
there for (he purchase of a part of the iron and
other material. Ho will return to Savannah iu a
few days when he will commence locating the
track. As it is proposed by the Company to
transport freight as w ell as passengers, it is be
lie veil that, the road will not only be a great ac
commodation to tbe public but, will also be remo-
nm alive to the stockholders it is designed to
construct two tracks connecting the railroads at
the upper and lower end of the city, one to bo loca
ted under the bluff and the other along Bay street,
with two cross tracks, one on Princeund the other
on Drayton Street. We understand that it is the
intention of the Company strictly to open books
for subscriptions to the stock in order that our
oitizens generally may be interested in the enter
prise.—News.
Cotton field of the World.—Few of our
readers, we imagine, are aware that the annual
cotton crop of the world is estimated at the enor
mous sum of ihree hundred millions of bales.
East India and China together produce about
18,000,000 of bales every year. A writer in Do-
Bow’s Review says: “It is grown, as will be
seen by reference to flie map, in China, Japan, a
part of Australia, Burmah, East ludia, Persia, Ara
bia, Syria, Turkey,Greece, Italy, Spain, in nearly
all l he explored parts of Africa, in Madagascar, the
West Indies, North and South America, betweeu
the 40th degree of North and n corresponding par
allel of South Latitude, and in most of the Islands
of the world, which lie iu the temperate aud torrid
zones.”
It is thus evident that the Southern States grow
but a small quantity of the cotton worn by the
twelve hundred millions of human beings who in
ha nit. the earth. Nevertheless, our fibre is larger
and every way superior to that grown almost any
where else. Hence it is worth more. .Our plan
ters should not be discouraged, for the staple will
still command very remunerative prices.
[Chrun. Sf Sen.
Equalizing thf. Two Worlds.— The widow
of a rich and provident man after inheriting his
property and investing the insurance on his life,
very soon enlarged, repaired, and fitted up her res
idence in a quite luxurious i*tyle. A friend call
ing, expressed some little surprise that she bad
made these nice arrangements so soon after the
decease of Mr. . ‘Why shouldn’t I doit?’
ieplied Ihe practical relict. ‘My husband, good
man as he was, is enjoying a glorious mansion in
the skies; and of course he wishes me to be as
comfortable as possible here ou earth.’ Who says
that woman’s faith was not shown by her works ?
Legal Advice.—An oid lawyer was giving ad
vice to his son, who was just entering upon the
practice of his father’s profession.
“My son,” said the counsellor, “if you have a
case where the law is dear on your side, but jus
tice seems to be against you, urge upon the jury
the vast, importance of sustaining the law. If on
the other hand you are in doubt about the law,
but your client’s case, is founded on justice, insist
on the necessity of doing justice, though the heav
ens fall I”
t° v'Jper mouth, they clothing themselves. Some ed ? A. I believe it has never been exaggerated.! suicides.
Within the past two months there were twenty-
two deaths in Now York from starvation aud ten
HXEXXdC
A JouiiizV from Atlanta to Cordoca—All about the.
ih e Climate, the Products, the Prices,and thr.
People—Personal Items—Gov. Harris, General
Price and General Sliclby at Home.— Peru Cruz.
Cordova, April 25, J8litf.
Vera Cruz did not come up to my expectation*
at all iu point of size and other respects. It is a
eiiy of ordinary size—about a mile each way and in
almost a ; ertvet square, and contains not more than
six or seven thousand inhabitants. It is surronuded
by a range of barren sand-hills, aud in no
direction can a tree or shrub be seen. The build
ings are ail tire prooi, aud adapted to the climate
in exery particular—grotesque but comfortable—
tbe streets are narrow but cleanly. Life beie is
very different from wbat.it, is in the cotton States.
The manners and customs of the people are all dif
ferent. For instance, hi re they never pretend to
have but two meals a day—early in the morning
you take coffee or chocolate and bread, ami
breakfast at ten.
At this hour you take your place at the table
and wait for what is to come. (You never sec
such a thing as a bill of fare at a Mexican hotel.)
You commence with eggs and going through with
eight changes of plates you finish up on coffee and
fruit. The whole magnificent euough and con
ducted with the utmost decorum. You diue at 1
o’clock p. in.’ and this meal is served in the same
manner as breakfast. It matters not what tbe
character of your business—how pressing your
engagements—you cannot induce the landlord to
have the mode of dining changed, but must pa
tiently wait for each course to come iu its regular
turn, and must not expect to get through your
meal under two hours.
We remained three days iu their city, during
which time we wert the receipts of innumerable
kindnesses at the hands of the generous hearted
Mexicans.
Cordora.
On the 24th inst. we took the train from this
point. The cars run within twenty miles of Cordo
va, which distance is made by stage. On the 25th
we. lauded safely in this lovely region. I met Gov.
Harris, Generals Price, Magruder, Shelby and a
great many others from tbe late Confederate
States, all of whom gave us a warm and cordial
greeting, aud expressed the hope that we eould
fill find homes here more agreeable than the ones
we had abandoned in the States, I was sorry to
learn however, that all the public lands in tbe vi
cinity of Cordova ’nave been euterod.
Large parties had preceded us the previous
month, which accounts tor this. We are not at
all discouraged however as the empire is large
and broad enough to give us all a farm—and we
will without douot be able to suit ourselves iu
some of the public lands lyiug in the beautiful sec
tions adjacent. Besides, private parties anxious
for the enterprising Southerners to settle among
them, arc offering great inducements to the actual
settler—some of whom will give away to such per
sons half of their lauds, as they know thoy thus en
hance the value of theii property greatly. Among
this latter class is O. Forus.
Harris, Price and Shelby.
1 visited by invitation, the houses of Gov. Har
ris and Gun. Price, situated ten miles from this
place. I found them both living iu temporary
buildings made of bamboo cane, but very comfort
able. Many little buildings of ibis character are
seen iu this vicinity, the work of Confederate set
tlors. The lands belonging to these gentlemen are
of the best quality, and, in fact, I saw no poo
land in that region. All the settlers seem satisfied
with their lot, and were delighted with their fu
ture prospects. Gov. Harris, Gens. Price aud
Shelby, aud many others, were making extensive
preparations to cultivate their lauds, having more
or less already open. There is great difficulty in
regard to labor, as native labor cannot be relied
upon. These Confederates arc settled for life and
nothing will ever induce them to return to the
United States. All have the utmost confidence
in the permanence aud liberality of the Imperial
Government.
The Soil Crops and Climate.
As an opportunity was offered me, I joined the
Government Surveyors, and remained with them
upwaids of three weeks. Hence I can speak
knowingly of the character of the evil. The lands
although at one time iu a high state of cultivation,
are now in a perfect wilderness—‘having for many
years neglect, grown up in densely thick under
growth, and the preparing of lqtid for cultivation
is very difficult. The soil is as good as any I have
ever seen in the Southern sections of Kentucky
and Tennessee, and as you have the advantage of
knowing here when to plant to suit the season,
the productions are even more abundant than in
those States.
You gather the crops each year from the same
ground. You plant corn on the 1st of June—the
commencement of the rainy season, which lasts
until the latter part of October. During the peri
od, the corn crop is made and gathered. The to
bacco crop is made during the dry season, and is
cleared from the ground in time for the next year’s
corn crop. The lands here will produce from
eighty to one hundred bushels of corn per acre by
proper cultivation, which is a3 good, if not better,
than those of any part of the United States. Corn
is never under $1 DO per bushel, and now it is
worth from $1 25 to $1 5.'). Tobacco is w orth
twenty cents per pound. Now you can make
your own calculations.
Products.
Sugar cane grows to the hight of twelvb feet,
and is certainly the finest I have ever seen any
where. Many sugar planters are here from Miss
issippi aud Louisiana, with w hom I have convers
ed freely, and they all state that the sugar crops
here cannot be surpassed anywhere. Coffee is the
most profitable crop alter it begins to bear; but it
is four years after the first setting out of the plaat
before you realize a full crop. It was always
worth twelve cents per pound, and now twenty-five
cents.
Monetary.
I think tliis the best country on the globe for
bealtifulness, delightfulness of climate and pro
ductive capacity. But tiiose who come here must
come prepared to meet with many difficulties;
come supplied with money, supplied with farming
implement to support themselves for one year, and
implements to prepare and cultivate tbe lands —
Gov. Harris told me that it cost him live dollars
per acre to get his lands cleared, but I am of opin
ion that all should come prepared to pay eight
dollars per acre.
Conclusion.
There are many old gentlemen located here and
returned to the States for their families and
friends. Immigrants continue to arrive rapidly,
aud in great numbers, aud the Government is ma
king renewed efforts to have the public lands sur
veyed. in order to meet the increased demand.—
Emigration is now all turning to the Tampico
country To that section I shall start in a few
days, although I have applied for land here; but
as I am preparing a home for life, I desire to look
well. As soon as I have made myself familiar
with the Tampico regiun, I will write again.
It costs $1)0 from Atlanta to Vera Cruz or Tam
pico, provided you secure passage on a vessel sail-,
ing direct from Now Orleans ; but if via Havana,
it will cost $140.
The Poor of Georgia.—We are again called on
to chronicle a further donation of 400 bbls. Flour
Bacon, Meal, &.c., from the Baltimore Southern
Relief Association to the suffering poor of Geor
gia- The steamer North Point, of which La-
Roebc, West &. Daniels are agent iu this city, had
on her present trip the above, which makes about
1200 bbls. this steamer has carried for the Geor
gia poor, fr^e of charge.—Savannah Herald.
Alabama Penitentiakv.—It is estimated by
some of the Alabama papers, that there will beat
least 1.000 convicts sent to the Penitentary before
next Christmas. Nearly half of that number «ff
negroes are now in the jails of that State, indicted,
in^he main, for larceny. This putting negroes
on tiie same criminal basis as white persons Wont
do.—Rome Courier.
A grist mill at Middletown, N. Y., appears to
have been “dealing death around the land,” bv
infusing lead, with which crevices in the mill
stones were tilled, into the flour and meal which it
pruduc-d. Tho consequences are quite serious.
Tea.—Dates from China, a little over two
months old, say that the tea season was nearly
over, and that the total exports for IHC5-G to Ainer
ica aud Great Britain were about sixteen millions
of pounds more than iu 1864-5.
Chattanooga and Cincinnati Railroad.—A tele
gram from Nashville says (Joh Gaw’s official le
port, of his late survey, estimated the total costof
tbe Chattanooga ami Cincinnati Railroad at $5!)y,-
5U0, nut including a bridge over the river at Chat
tanooga. Length, straight line, seventy, and
curved line, seventy four miles.* Maximum grade
only three-fourths of a mile, at forty-two feet per
mile. Average grade, twelve l'ect per mile.
MIL L. Jbi O Gr JB V I L LE:
TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 1866.
SUPREME COURT.
This court is proceeding regularly to work with
the business before it. Judge Dumpkin arrived
by the train on Monday, a few hours after the
time of its opening. The cases from the Patnula,
Eastern and Middle circuits have been disposed
of. Those from the Coweta circuit are now un
der consideration. We give below the decisions
so far as announced. The question of the consti
tutionality of the stay law has been brought up
from three different circuits which will be argued
to-day. The bar is pretty fully attended by the
best talent in the State.
XMCinute of Points
Decided by the Supreme Court at Milledgerille, Ga.,
June Term. 1806.
IIill ) In this case, tbe legality of the
rs. Mevy might be enquired into on
DeLaunay. ) motion, aud an affidavit of illegal
ity was unnecessary.
Gresham 1 Garnishment cculd not issue on
rs >the24th of March, lrttifi, upon affi-
DeLaunat. jdavit made before a Justice of the
Inferior Court, the 2d clause of section 287 of the
Code, having been repealed by an Act approved
March J7th, 18C6—Judgment Reversed.
Cothran «fc Black ^ That complainant, on a cer-
vs. Main day, called ou defend-
Scanlon. j ant and offered to pay him
what tiie amount cf principal and interest on the
note in Confederate money would have been worth
in specie at the maturity of tiie note, upon condi
tion that the defendant would make titles. &c., is
not a sufficient allegation of tender.—Judgment
Reversed.
Hood & Robinson I The plaintiffs, as a copart-
vs. Vnership in the practice ot law,
Wake. jsued the defendant for a fee.
1st. The evidence of their employment was,
that the answer of the defendant to an action of
divorce brought against him by bis wife, was in
the hand writing of one of the plaintiffs, and was
signed by them, in connection with other coun
sel, as his attorneys; and that the affidavit to the
truth of the answer which was sworn to by the
defendant before the Clerk, was in the same hand
writing. Held: That the evidence was sufficient
to establish their employment by the defendant.
2d. The evidence was that the value of their
services was or $2uft, but tbe verdict of tbe
jury gave them only $25. Held: That the ver
dict was contrary to evidence, and that a new tri
al should be grauted.—Judgment Reversed.
Roll I The City Conn-
vs. :-cil of Augusta is
The Citv Council of Augusta }not liable to an
action for damages done to real estate in said city
by changes made iu the grading the streets, &c.—
Judgment Affirmol.
*
Cunningham l
rs. > Petition from Richmond.
Schley. )
The executors of a guardian who died pos
sessed of specific property belonging to his ward,
cannot, before tbe expiration of twelve months
from their qualification, be compelled by the Court
of Ordiuary, on petition of the ward, (who had at
tained his majority) to turn over to him such prop
erty by way of partial settlement. Even if the
Court of Ordinary can exercise over such matters
the same powers belonging to a Court of Chance
ry, the executors cannot be called on bjfore the
twelve months are out; aud then, not for a par
tial, but only for a full and final settlement.—Judg
ment Affirmed.
Fish > Statutory proceeding against
r»\ >tenant holding over—From Rich-
Van Winkle. Jinond.
Lumpkin, Ch. J.
1. The Jury may cemsider the evidence of an
impeached witness: This proposition is correct
law of itself; and is certainly so when limited
with the proviso that the evidence be in harmony
with truth, and corroborated by other evidence.
2. A charge that an offer of revision is not too
late if made within a reasonable time, and that
the intervening occurence may be considered on
that question, is as favorable to the party moving
for the revision, as he has a right, to ask.
3. So, aiso, is a charge that a trade induced by
untrue representations i3 vitiated. This is going
to the uttermost boundary of the law.
4. Where no motion for a new trial has beeu
made iu the Court below, the Supreme Court will
not pass upon the question whether the verdict
was contrary to law, contrary to evidence, con-
trtn-y to law and evidence, contrary to the weight
of evidence or contrary to the charge of the Court.
Judgment Affirmed.
Sneads »fc Lallerstredt for Planintiff in error.
Starnes Johnson for Defendant.
Jones )
rs. > In Equity from Richmond.
Linton. )
Walker, J.
]. An answer founded on belief or information,
may be overcome without two witnesses, or one
witness and corroborating circumstances.
2. If goods are supplied to an administrator who
represents estates which are two in law but one in
tact, the creditor is not bound to show for which
of the estates they were furnished.
3. In this case there was some evidence tending
to establish that the effects of the two estates bad
never been separated, aud therefore the charge of
Ihe Court on that subject was not irrelevant.—
Judgment Affirmed.
Starnes for Plaintiff in error.
Lallerstredt for Defendant.
The Land Tai.
The Chronicle and Sentinel of the 1st inst. gives
the following reliable and welcomed intelligence.
That paper says, we lean from Mr. Pancoast, the
collector, that no land tax is due the United Slates
Government except for the year 1861. The
amouut of tax due tor the year {is one third of one
per cent, and no more. The assessment is made
upon the valuation fixed upon the property by the
tax-payer in his State tax returns for 186U. There
never has been but one year land tax exacted by
the United States Government, that for 1861. The
law fixing a tax upon real estate was repealed
very soon after its passage, and hence we are
relieved from the serious burden which our people
thought they had to bear.
Every one can tell what his land tax is. Let
him take his State tax returns for 1*60 and see
the valuation there fixed upon real estate, and
then one-third of one per cent, is t he amouut he is
due the Government.
The law exempt*, from taxation homesteads of
ihe value of five hundred dollars and under.—
Hence, auy one whose name is not worth more
thau fine hundred dollars pays uo tax at all.
It is the intontiou of the Tax Commissioner of
this State not to call on those portions of the State
which have beeu overrun by Sherman’s army until
all tiie balance of the State has beeu finished.—
This is kind aud considerate. It will enable the
people iu the desolated districts to make a crop
wherewith to pay this tax.
OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY.
The present term of Oglethorpe University will
close on Friday night, the J5th inst., with the ex
ercises of declamation, the reading of essays, and
a discussion of the question : Has African Slavery
been an advantage to the Southern People ?
The friends of the Institution aud the public
generally are iuvited to attend,
COLtftlfitt S—MAK L’FACt Ufcix
The article belbw, from the Sun Sf Times h sv „
presented to our minds a.-few thoughts on mai.u
facturing in Georgia.
The natural advantages held out for the b Ui;i |
ing of Manufactories ofall kinds at Columbus nn
so gn at and inviting, that wc take pleasiji t j„
calling attention to l) 1C IrKll*
Colton, Wolien and Wood work ManuiVu-toi;,.,
could be carried on to any extent desired. ,SL„; i
the leading men iu and around Columbus invent
hereafter, their capital iu the building up of
l ies, we do not see why Columbus should not b-
made one of the first manufacturing cities of t] le
South. The advantages now possessed by (Jol-
nmbus, the experience of a number of her citizeng
in the manufacturing business, the large extent of
country around that will desire the goods matn-
factnred, invites capital to invest immediately
and to enlarge operations as soon as we as a peo
ple shall gather up our shattered resources.
True indejUendence lies in the future develop,
ment of our undisputed and unquestioned resour
ces. There is no reason why we of the Scuff
cannot manufacture cotton goods cheaper than
the New Englander; with cotton actually g row .
ing in sight of our factories, with labor pleu'y
we can turn out as good and cheaper an article
than the Northern Manufacturer. The miliioi. a
of dollars that our planters will in the future re-
alise from the production of cotton—true not to
much as when they controlled the labor.but enough
to grow rich again, will be turned into anctUr
channel and we will grow richer faster by invest
ing our gains in manufacturing, building railroad,
and encouraging commerce. The goose that
laid the golden egg, was wont in days pas;, t 0
feed at the South, but lay the egg at the North. If
we are wise from past experience, we will net on
ly feed the goose hut cause her to lay her eg> 0 u
tbe soil that she grows fat upon. To drop f a |ji e
we would say, that we must not only hci vHttrr
raise cotton, but that we must also manufacture
it, if we would be truly prosperous and rich.
The glory of the South will hereafter consist in
a well developed rail road system, a country stud
ded with cotton factories, and with proper atten
tion to sheep raising, also wolien factories; with
foundries ofall kinds, and a Southern commerce
that will be an active competitor with the North
ern merchantman.
We do not partake of the gloom of many that
see no good ahead for our section. We see noth
ing but prosperity ahead ; all that is needed is en
ergy and industry, and certainly we are not defi
cient in those too elements of character.
We have digressed however from the subject
under direct consideration, the advantages of Co
lumbus as a manufacturing city. Should this
meet the eye of any desiring to come south, or any
looking out for an investment, we, from ou r
knowledge of the peculiar advantages presented
by Columbus, would direct attention to one of the
growing cities of our State. The Sun Sf Times re
marks :
“Columbus has water power snffeieut to run nil
the machinery ou the continent. Iu the river ar-
all-tad constructed four good and substantial dams.
Between these and four miles above others can Le
built with little labor and expense. The v.at*-r
power appears to be unlimited. Our city should
be noted tor its manufactories. A more favorable
site could not be selected. In a few years at most
labor will be comparatively cheap and plentiful.
We are situated in the midst of a line cotton grow
ing region. In ordiuary times from one hundred
to one hundred aud twenty-five thuossnd bales ot
cotton were received here, and it can be bought
cheaper than in the North. Froper railroad con
nections would bring to ns an abundance of iron,
coal and other aids to manufacture. The loom,
spindle aud anvil, united to brains and energy,
have made New England rich and prosperous.—
They will effect the same result for the South —
The North has only advantage of a numerous pop
ulation. In a few years, if inducements be held
out iLe South can be comparatively thickly set
tled. Let our people, if they desire to enrich
themselves and advance their city, devote atten
tion to manufactures and agriculture, the one mov
ing with the other, and both being pushed forward
with zeal and industry. Let the busy hum of ma
chinery be heard upon our streets; let manufac
tures be largely promoted ; let intelligence and
city pride, instead of grasping every dime aud
keeping it in the pocket—the most foolish of ail
ways to make money—rule the minds of all; let
the mechanic anJ laborers of all classes be encour
aged, and fogyism be banished, and the popu
lation of the city wiil be doubled in a few year*
Let “behind the age” direct our movements, and
we never will have anything but a country vil
lage ”
Homicide.— Another affray' look place in this
county on Wednesday last, between Bolling Hal!
and Thomas Simpson, in which the former was
stabbed several times, of which wounds he died
on Saturday last.
Again.—Two Freedmen, brothers, gat to fight
ing at Mr. Ray’s, a few miles from town ou Satur
day last, and one split the otliw’s head open with
an axe. He is expected to die.
Again, A negro convict, by the name of Wilson,
committed for arson, a slave of Green R. Duke, of
Jackson Co., crime committed while a slave, aud
sentenced for life, was shot and killed on yester
day 7 while attempting to escape from the Peniten
tiary. Also, at the same time, a white man by the
name of Henry A. Clark alias J. N. Brackett, fro'u
Pike Co., crime of robbery, from Col. AlexunAr,
was shot, but not mortally,
POST OFFICES IN GEORGIA.
We give from the Atlauta Intelligencer a lister
all the Pest Offices and names of the Post Masters
now' in the State. We do not however agree with
our cotemporary in the remark that “nearly all
important offices in Georgia are already in full l ’P'
eration.” This is far from the fact. There
iu 1859, eight hundred and fifty-four Post OtTiceS ’■&
operation in the State. Those now published, on
ly number owe hundred and seventy two. IV iC '
stance, there is not yet a Post Office re-establish
in the county of Laurens, to which county we
weekly send (when chance permits,) more fl' in
one hundred papers. We might mention others
in like condition, wholly destitute of either D' 51
Masters or mails, but we forbear.
COL. FORSIIEY’S TESTIMONY.
We lay before our readers the very able h
perspicuous testimony of Col. Forshey, of
before the Reconstruction Committee. It un
donbtedly 7 the ablest that we have seen, and st»t-
with truth and candor, the mental and social •**-
ing of the Southern people. His home thrusts ‘ D
reply to questions asked him must be telliug
the northern mind. Col. F. is no ordinary think
er or talker, but a gentleman of enlarged views S "
sagacious statesmanship. Read l*is evidence b)
ail means.
COTTON FRAUDS.
The grand jury of the Southern District eon
of the U. S., convened at Mobile in tbeir p 1 * 3 ^ 1
ments made on the 22d ult., allege that tbe 1 ^
oral Government has been defrauded, by
out of 150,0».*t) bales of cotton at that point. ^
jury give tbe names of the parlies. Thom*--
A. Dexter and others, aud allege that thoy h*
been guilty of false, fraudulent and felony
practices, by which the Government has been
frauded out of millions of dollars. The P* rl * lS J\
also charged with having what cotton that
turned over repacked at rai enormous exp e ° sC ^
ter extracting one-third from the bales, and ot 0 ^
er fraudulent acts. A thorough investigate
the matter is urged by the jury upon the * lteilU
of the court. .
Civil Suita have also been commenced i
gia for damages in unlawful seizures oi evtto