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Jjjnmuu & Minium.
_ AUGUSTA. GAT
WH»*KHnAV MOHMIMU, JINK 20.
Amende Honorable.
In our issue of a recent date, a paragraph
occurred In our Washington letter in relation
to the Senators from Florida, which we are as
sured did them injustice. We learn that the
letter referred to by our correspondent wae
written to the “Central Directory’’ solely with
the view of correcting serious misstatements
which had been made on oath to the Commit
tee by unreliable parties, of the condition of
public sentiment in Florida. We have a slight
acquaintance with one of these gentlemen, and
have been familiar with his history and that of
bis family for many years. We think him in
capable of truculence, or of yielding any of the
just rights of his constituents. We feel confi
dent that our usually well-posted correspond
ent intended no reflection upon the character
of either of the gentlemen who sigQod the let
ter.
Tax on Cotton.
Madness seems to rule the hour at Washing
ton. The Destrudimiste appear determined
not only to deprive the Southern States of their
j ust political position in tfie Union, but they
are also bent upon the destruction of our ma
terial interests. Notwithstandingthey owe the
places which they occupy at Washington to
the application of the great fundamental prin
ciple which underlies our whole system of Gov
ernment, that of equal taxation and represent
ation, they continue to ignore the rights of the
Southern States to the application of the same
wholesome provision of the Constitution.—
Without a single representation. in either
branch of the Congress from eleven States of
the UnloD, these disfranchised States are re
quired, not only to pay equal taxes with the
States which have a voice in the enactment of
the laws, but by a most unfair, anti-republi
can and unconstitutional system of direct and
specific taxes the disfranchised States are re
quired to pay one-fourth of the gross products
of their agricultural industry into the coffers of
the general Government.
We say that the industry of the South is
taxed to the extent of one fourth of its gross
receipts. It is known that cotton is the great
Southern Staple, In the entire South, even
before the war, it is doubtful if, in addition to
the cotton crop, the agricultural products were
more than sufficient to feed and. clothe the
laborers. No one will deny that cotton is the
main product of our fields. The average price
of cotton for ten years before the war was less
than ten cents per pound. Since the war,
prices have ruled high from cables growing
out of the prolonged struggle, and which are
like other effects of the struggle—daily disap
pearing. Ono full crop of cotton would doubt
less cause the price to fall to or near the old
standard, ten cents. Gut if we assume that
the present crop will bring twenty cents per
pound, then the Government takes just one
fourth of its value—five cents on each pound
raised. 'This enormous tax is levied upon us,
too, ut a time when thp whole industry of the
country is paralyzed, our wealth destroyed,
and our trade broken down. The South is
required to pay the same general taxes which
are levied upon the people of the North and
West; and, Id addition to these general taxes,
we are required to pay Into the treasury about
fifty millions of dollars as a tax on cotton.—
None of the other great agricultural products
of the country are subjected to this iniquitous
taxation. Tho hay, potatoes, and onions of
New England, and the corn, wheat, cattle and
horses of the Middle and Western States are
exempt.
This Is the way in which the Radicals are at
tempting to win back the people of the South
ern States to their former love and veneration
for tho Federal Government. It gives us pleas
ure to know that although we are deprived of
the presenoo in Washington of those who, by
the terms of the Constitution itself, we are en
titled to have there to guard our interests and
protect our rights, we have au able, fearless
and upright advocate in the National Intelli
gencer, from whoso 'columns we clip the fol
lowing on this subject of taxation :
The proposition to levy a tax of five cents a
pound on raw cotton is the most striking com
mentary imaginable on the political status of
the seceded States.
It is pretended that this tax will not fall on
the producers. If the producers of any article
can so readily escape from the burthen of a
tax, why not impose a similar tax on Northern
produots ? Suppose a tax equal to the pro
posed cotton tax, a tax of one-fourth of the
entire value of the article, be imposed on
wheat. Ah, then it will be a very different
thing; it will be somebody’s bull goring our
ox, which will alter the case entirely. Let it
be proposed to levy a tax at this rate on the
wheat-growers, and we would hear infinite
curses, both loud and deep.
Let us observe the effect of this cotton tax of
five cents a pound. It is said that the tax can
lie added to the price of cotton, and thus
thrown on the consumers. This is anew dis
covery in finance, and if it is so easy to collect
taxes at the expense of foreigners, it is re
markable that it has never been before dis
covered. What fixes the price of cotton ? The
total demand, and the total supply. These
two principles meet at Liverpool as tho great
cottou market of the world, and fix the price.
This demand is the demand of the whole
world, and this supply is the supply of the
whole world, neither of which we can regulate
by our legislation. The demand being a given
quantity, the question is, wbat is the supply;
and to ascertain that, the amount produced in
every cotton country is taken into considera
tion, and the price follows as the necessary
consequence. In reaching this conclusion no
inquiry is made ns to the expense of producing
the cotton, the amount of tax pa and upon it, or
anything of the kind. The problem in order
to obtain the price is, what demand, what sup
ply ? If the demand is large and the supply
small the price goes up; if the demand is small
and the supply large the price goes down.
A tax of one-fourth the price wonld fall on
the producers of cotton. Uur first objections
to this is that it is unjust; no such unequal
taxation should ire tolerated. If the purpose
be to confiscate the property of the Southern
people insist that it shall be dono in a manly
way, aud not by this indirection.
But apart from the late insurgents, is noth
ing due to the loyal element South ? But,
above all, i« uotbing due to the emancipated
race South ? Deep interest is pt ofessed in
their welfare. Yet this proposed tax is the
most fatal blow that can be aimed at them.
The wages of the freedmen depend more on
the price of cottou than any other cause at
tho South, and yet the effect of this law is to
cut off the profits of their hard toil at least
one-fourth. Genially their wages are either
a share of the crop, or it is entirely dependent
on the pvife of cotton. If there is no regard
for the white race South, at least we wonld
suppose some consideration would be had for
the freed people. Congress is expending $12,-
000,000 a year to keep up the Freedmen’e
Bureau for the benefit of the freedmeu, aud
in the next moment they propose to deprive,
by unequal taxation, these poor freedmen of
the fruits of their labor. Where, oh where
are the humanitarians 1 Now is the time for
them to speak out for the negro, whose interest*
are about to be sacrificed by those who assume
to be his especial friends.
We will revert to this subject again.
Tb« N*PTBjH2Tt Law.—me sixth section of
the neutrality law of the United States, passed
in 1818, which it is alleged has been violated
by the Fenians in their demonstration against
Canada, contains the following provisions :
That if any person shall, within the territory
or jurisdiction of the United States, begin to
set on foot, or provide or prepare the means
for any military expedition or enterprise, to
be carried on from thence against the territo
ry or dominions of any foreign prince or State,
or of any colony, district or people, with whom
the United States are at peace, every person
so offending, shall be deemed guilty of a high
misdemeanor, and shall be fined not exceeding
three thousand dollars, aud imprisoned not
more than three years
The editOT of the Savannah Advertiser «>w
waterciellons on the streets of that city on
Monday last, which were selling at $3,
asch. Os course be only mm them.
tovariil) lucrative-.
In r.itr sue of the Bth ultimo, we took occa
siou lo animadvert Rome what upon the lan
guage and conduct of certain Radical presses
in the North and West, in relation to the peo
ple of the South, for which wo were laken to
task by the Editor of the “Cincinnati Gazette.’
In a private letter to* us from the Editor of
that paper, we were Informed that the lan
guage then imputed to the “Gazette,” was
never used by it, and further, we were inform
ed that such language could not be used by his
paper. We made th u necessary amende honor
able, and were right glad to find the Gazette
so sensible upon'soch a subject. We indulged
in the hope that as this Radical sheet had
evinfEd an unexpected solicitude that its posi
tion should not be misrepresented, that in
future Us columns would not be disgraced and
polluted by the appearance of similar articles.
We confess that we have been disappointed.
The Gazette is determined not to be eclipsed
in its mean, low, cowardly and vulgar abuse
of the South, and Southern men, even by the
infamous ‘’Dead Dvuft” himself. We do not
wish to be led into a war of .words. We are
no adept in the art of Billingsgate—have no
power in the use ot fish-mariiet slang and
blackguard rhetoric. We design to cultivate
friendly feelings towards our brethren of the
Press generally, and more particularly are we
anxious that no word or act of our own shall
tend to widen the breach now existing between
the two sections of country. We are for peace,
quiet, harmony. We desire to respect the hon
est people of the North, as we wish to be re
spected by them. We have indulged in no
abusive epithets towards their great military
chieftains. God knows that if even half the
truth was told of the act* of some of them, du
ring the war, it would cause the cheeks of
eveu the Editor of a the “Gazette” to mantle
with shame. We respect their feelings of
gratitude towards their military heroes. We
know that they would feel highly indignant—
nuy, hurt at any personal abuse which we might
heap upon them.
We have attempted no such thing. We shall
not retaliate when they pour their vile slime
upon the noble Christian hero facile primus,
facile princeps— Ruur E. Lee. Wo do not
envy the heart that dictated or the pen that
traced the following lines which we clip from
the GazeGe of a late date :
Rom. E. Lee broke his oath o£ fidelity to the
Government that gave him his education, and
took command of the armies which killed tens
of thousands of its defenders. He has not been
punished. Daac Dprgan, a former slave of
Lee’s, was arrested in Boston the other day for
stealing clothing and jewelry from his em
ployer in that city. He was very properly
locked up. Yet it is hardly fair that the
great villain should escape scott free, while
hi3 humble imitator in rascality should be
summarily dealt with. If Isaac deserves im
prisonment, what should be done with Robert?
The Cincinnati Commercial answers this
carping of the Gazette very pointedly as fol
lows :
“There are, no doubt, a good many persona
in the world with no more sense than to sup
pose that tho above is a smart paragraph.
•Robert E. Leo Burrendorod to Lieutenant Gen.
Grant on tho condition that he was not to be
disturbed by the United States authorities, pro
vided he returned home aud obeyed the laws.
He did return home aud has obeyed the laws,
and therefore, according to his agreement with
Grant, be has not been disturbed. People who
are whiniug iiecause ho has not been punished,
are simply displaying their own ignorance, or
are reproaching General Grant. They were
probably very gtad of it when Leo surrender
ed, and uttered no complaint about the terms,
aud recognizing the fact that the rebels had
thrown down their arms and dispersed, as the
matter of the pith of the moment. Since the
conclusion of the war they have developed a
violent propensity for shedding blood. Judge
Underwood, who knows very little of law, and
has not much sense, was quite anxious to have
the distinction ot trying luading traitors, and
had a large number of them indicted. He was
stopped by the Government, whose honor had
been pledged by Lieut. Gen. Grant that the
men included in terms of surrender should not
be disturbed. It may be unfortunate that
many of the Southern military leaders have
have not been hanged, but tho war elosed as it
did on consideration that they were to be let
alone, and that’s an end of it.
Crop Prospects.
Georgia.— The fine weather of the last week
has materially improved the condition of crops
in this section. Cotton, though small and in
the grass, is growing well, and the corn crop
is very promising. Wheat is harvested and
the result is very satisfactory. The oat crop
has been unusually good. The fruit crop is a
failure. On a recent trip from here to Mont
gomery we scarcely saw a peach. In Aiken,
near this city, which is famous for fine peaches,
the crop is cut off entirely. Apple and pear
trees are bearing well, but unfortunately, but
little attention ha3 been paid to their culture,
and the supply will not be equal to the de
mand. i;he grape crop is also a failure.
The following letter has been received at this
office from Emanuel county :
Editors ofithe Chronicle and Sentinel :
Gentlemen This county was visited on the
Bth instant with a fearful tornado, which did
immense damage to our crops. The trees in
many fields were prostrated in such number as
to render it impossible to plough the crops
again. Many houses were blown down, and it
is feared that many of the cattle have been
killed. . <
The storm, I learn, was very severe in John
son county, particularly in the neighborhood
of Wriahtsvilie. In the latter village several
houses were blown down. I have not heard of
any very serious injuries to the persons of the
people of the effects of Ihe storm.
The cotton crop in this region was not pro
mising before the storm, aud it is much less so
now. We do not employ many negroes in this
section ot the State, but those who have are
doing pretty well. Avery good feeling exists
between them and the whites, and we hear of
no disturbance s or collisions between the two
races.
G.
Texas—Thk WhsXt Crop.—Dr. Cox, who
has recently returned from an extensive trip in
tho wheat growing regions of Texas, Informs
us th it there never was a finer prospect in the
world than at this time. He says that with
out some accident, three times as much will be
raised this year as was ever raised in one year
before, la some county—Coiin, we believe
the doctor says 500,000 bushels of wheat will
be for 8 lie. At the mills near Dallas, he was
offered tlour at $2 per huudred pounds. This
is good news tor flour-lovers, as we hope that
instead of it being worth $8 per huudred, wo
can soon buy it at ss. Western Texan.
Kentucky.—Tho Franktort (Ky.) Union of
the 4th says :
We bear of a good many persons replanting
their corn. A great many fields have been fur«
rowed and planted over. The cold weather
has rotted the com. However, if the season is
favorable from this on, there is yet time to
raise a good cord crop.. Extensive prepara
tions have been mads for a heavy crop. More
than the usual amount of ground has been
planted. A great many fields of wheat have
been ploughed up aud planted in corn. The
effects cf a failure of the corn crop can hardly
be realized. There are a great many hogs in
the country; their value depends on the corn
to be raised dhis year.
Alabama. A young friend who has just
reached home coming through the country
from South Alabama, reports the crops of wheat
and corn hi Autauga, Shelby, and Jefferson
counties as very promising indeed, but that
there is a great scarcity of present subsistence,
aud farmers are feeding stock on the growing
wheat. — iUul.
Mississippi —The Memphis Appeal publishes
the following letter from Okalouu, Miss., dated
June 7 :
“The rains have been unprecedented. But
little chance to plow—not mote on an average
than two days in a week : the consequence is
that the crops are very foul. The stands are
had on account of bad seed, wet weather and
crawfish. The latter have been very destruc
tive this year on land that lay out during the
war. The prospects for com and cotton are
| worse than i have ever seen in this country.
; The cot: 'n is backward, and is gettiog very
j lousy Toting everything into consideration,
j 1 don't think there "can be more than a half
j crop oi cotton made on the land planted in
this county if it should quit raining now and
the weather be favorable during the rest of the
season.
The freedmen are doing as well here per
haps as anywhere. They have a good many
feuds among them-eives on account of many
of the meu wanting two wives, and to quit old
wives to take new ones.
This is the first summer day we have had. It
is quite warm.
JOTTKSI FROhThE lAPITIL.
[paosi OCR OWS CO TIRES POND EXT ]
Washington, Sunday, June 10.
There was quite a stir around the Hotels and
other centres of news and gossip, last night, in
consequence of a report very generally preva
lent that President Johnson had yielded to the
solicitations of Mr. O'Connor, and had given or
ders for the release of ex-President Davis on
parole, or on bail, or both. There is, as yet,
no confirmation of the rumor; and it is proba
bly premature. I hid a conversation yesterday
morning with Mr. O’Connor. Ho appears to he
very sanguine, not only that his application to
have bis client set at liberty will be granted,
but that it will be granted speedily. Yet, it
must b 8 admitted that this is
A CASE SURROUNDED BY COMPLICATIONS •
la spite of all that has been said and done in
Judge Underwood’s Court, it is by no means
dear, so far, what Mr. Davis’ present status
really is. Inasmuch as a tribunal, claiming
to be a legally constituted District Court
of the United States, has taken cognizance
of his case and has promised (“unless Jt be
otherwise disposed of in the meantime,’’)
to try it in October. H 8 is said to be an
ordinary civil prisoner ; but the fact that
he 1? not in civil, hut in military custo
dy, and subject to the power, not of the
judicial but of tho executive branch of the
Government, completely upsets this theory,and
shows that he is now quite as much as he was
on the morning of his capture, a military pris
oner. If a military prisoner, he is not,entitled
to bail; if a civil prisoner, his release upon pa
role would be an unusual and extraordinary
proceeding, borne say that he is a State pris
oner, but that is a term only recognized in
monarchical countries, and, under our laws
and Constitution, absolutely meaningless. Mr.
O’Connor seems to think that the Governmemt
will release him on bail, as the simplest mode
of transferring his case to the exclusive juris
diction of the civil courts Altogether, it i6 one
of the most puzzling politico-legal questions
upon record, and the Cabinet nro in a precious
stew about it. £
THE THEORY OF THE DEFENCE
will be based upon the general principle of
State sovereignty; and it will be contended
that the right of secession, if not implied by
the Constitution, was at least left an open
question by that instrument. The counsel of
Mr. Davis are of opinion that, if they can
show that there is no express or implied denial
of the right of secession in the Constitution,
tho organic law of the land, then the whole
charge of treason against their client necessa
rily fulls to the ground. This lino of argu
ment is, of course, no new ono. It has been
very fully discussed, pro aud con, in every pos
sible form, in the press, on the hustings, in
the forum, and even from tho pulpit—before,
during and since the war; but, on the occasion
ot Mr. Davis’ trial, if that trial should ever
take place, the profo. nd ability and acuteness
of his counsel justify the expectation that it
will be presented with a clearness, precision,
fullness and force that will bring out all the
intrinsic strength of tho dofenco.
THE DECISION TO 1!B FINAL.
There is a very general impression preva
lent at the Soutti—especially amongst non
professional people, that in case Mr. Davis
should be convicted before the court by which
he is to be tried at Richmond, an appeal could
and would be taken to tho Supreme Court of
the United States. This is a mistake. Under
tho provisions of the judiciary act, a writ of
error cannot he sued out in a criminal case of
this character. The finding of the court at
Richmond, whether it be presided overby
Chase or Underwood, will be absolutely final*
I* unfortunate for the dignity of the judicial
ermine In America, that the statute law pre
vents a case of vast interest and importance
like this from being brought within either the
director the appelate jurisdiction of the Su
preme Court. But whatever the verdict may
be,
THE FATE OF THE FRIS ONER
is no longer regarded hero as a debatable
question. If convicted, it is almost certain he
will bo unconditionally pardoned. I say this
because it is well knowu that tho bitterness of
those who control public opinion at the North,
Including many of the leading radicals—to
wards Jefferson Davis, has been very materially
lessened within the last three months. This is
due partly to the manly and dignified bearing
of the great captive, and partly to the thun
dering popular remonstrance that comes from
all portions of the late Confederacy, testifying
with true Southern generosity, that the guilt
of the “rebel” President was that of the great
people whose destinies he swayed for four long
years, and who would disdain an amaesty from
which their chosen chief and instrument Should
be excluded.
RADICAL ADVOCATES OF MERCr.
It is truly marvelo us to note the complete
revulsion of feeling that seems to have taken
plaoe in the breasts of some of the great
Radical lights, especially those who were
hearty and sincere io their frantic zeal. I
have already telegraphed you that Horace
Greeley aud Commodore Vanderbilt have
offered themselves as sureties for the appear
ance of Mr. Davis whenever he may be sum
moned hereafter, if the President will consont
to his release. Beecher and Gerritt Smith
profess also to be full of love and forgiveness
for their “erring Southern brethren,” and the
latter has even come out in a strong letter,
advocating the immediate pardon and release
of Mr. Davis, without the formality of a trial.
These, however, it must be remembered, are
shiuing exceptions—indue ntial, perhaps—still
exceptions. The mass of the Radical poll
ticians, and especially those in Washington,
have lost nothing of their rooted hatred of the
South. Greeley is certainly the most logical
and consistent, as well as the most sensible
and independent of the chiefs of his party.
The gentry at the South who now put in their
modest claims to have been “loyal to the old
flag throughout the war” can’t fool the white
coated philosopher of the Tribune. He told a
friend of mine a few day3 ago that, for his own
part, he was perfectly satisfied with the sinceri
ty and loyalty of any brave and blood-stained
rebel who had taken the oath of allegiance to
the Union, since the war, but that as for the
‘‘original Southern Unionists,” he knew what
their Unionism amounted to: that (using a
phrase more expressive man polite) M he would
not trnst one of Hum any further than he
could throw a bull by the tail.”
Bctterkct .
Florida.
At the Festival last week in Tailahassee, the
Editor of the Sentinel notteed two very fine
watermelons, contributed by a gentleman of
Leon county. These are the earliest melons
of the season.
Col. Samuel Buffington, well known for his
connection with a hotel bearing his name at
Jacksonville, died at St. Augustine on the Ist
inst, aud was bnried by the Masonic frater
nity.
The Lake City Press states that an alterca
tion took place at Lake Butler, Bradford co.,
on the 2d inst., between Jacob Wells and Jessie
Johnson, and during the row the latter’s father
came up and stabbed Wells in th» left side,
causing his immediate death. Several other
persons then got mixed up in the fracas, and
some five or sis were more or Jess injured.
The Ocala Banner of the 6th mention- hav
ing seen the first load of watermelons in that
town on the day previous.
REPORT OF GENERAL £T£ED3A.Si
The Freedmen'- Bureau in South, Carolina,
Georgia and Florida.
How the Freedmen are Robbed by Bureau
Agents.
Difficulties in Edgefield District.
Bad Conduct of the Bar can Agent at Columbia
Highly Interesting Document.
Augusta, Ga , Friday, June 1, 1866.
Eon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of IFar.'
Sir: —We have the honor to submit the
following report of our inspection of the ope
rations of the Freedmen’s Bureau ia the mili
tary departments of South Carolina, Georgia,
and Florida, and of the condition of the freed -
men’s settlements, the Sea Islands and the
sea-coast, under Gen. Sherman’s order.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Wo did not visit many of tho Bureau agents
in this State, owing to the inaccessibility of
their stations; but confined our inspections
mainly to districts the headquarters of which
are at Columbia, Charleston and Hamburg.
The number of officers and persons employed
by or attached to the Bureau in South Carolina
are ;
One Brigadier-General, Assistant Commis
sioner of Bureau.
Staff of the Assistant Commissioner.—One
lieutenant'* colonel, one major, six captains,
one lieutenant, one chaplain and Bureau mis
sionary.
On duty as Sub Assistant Commissioners of
the Bureau.—One colonel, two lieutenant col
onels, four majors, seven captains, six first
lieutenants, one second lieutenant.
On Staff Duty elsewhere than at Bureau
Headquarters.—Three lieutenants.
Medical Department.—Three surgeons United
States volunteers, thirteen assistant surgeons.
CITIZENS EMPLOYEES.
Nine clerks, at average pay each per
month, SIOB 33
One rental agent, at monthly pay of 75 00
One clerk, at monthly pay ot 50 00
One storekeeper, at monthly pay of 85 00
One oounseior, at monthly pay of 125 00
One Superintendent of Education, at
monthly pay of 150 00
One printer, at monthly pay -of 100 00
One contract Surgeon, at monthly pay
of 100 00
Twenty-five laborors, at average pay
per month, 19 2
In the above list of olfican in the military
service, on duty in tho Bureau in South Caro
lina, brevet rank is omitted, it order that the
pay of each may be determined by the rank
as there 6tated.
The number of freedmea to whom rations
have been issued in the Department of South
Carolina during each month since the Ist of
December, 1805, are : '
Men. Women. Children. Total.
December, 2,430 3,012 • 2,325 8,307
January. ...2,560 3,841 625 7,020
February.. 733 1.87 G 004 3,273
March 816 2,120 1,012 3.948
April 894 1,742 1,141 3^77
The number of refugees to whom rations
have been issued, are :
Men. Women. Children. Total.
December.. 7 42 65 114
January.... 7 102 192 301
February... 30 189 247 466
Maroh 24 107 340 531
Apri1...,...48 367 431 746
It will be seen that by reference to tho abovo
that Brevet Major General Scott, the present
Commissioner of tho Bureau, upon entering
upon the discharge of his duties, great ly re
duced the issue of rations to freedmen. The
supplies furnished consisted of pork or bacon,
fresh beef, flour or soft bread, hard bread,
corn meal, beans, peas and hominv, sugar,
vinegar, candles, soap, salt and popper. The
reduction of the issue of rations by Gen. Scott
since taking charge of the affairs of the Bureau
in South Carolina, clearly indicates in our
judgment that his predecessor, Gen. Saxon, ies
sued a much larger number of rations than
would have been required had he pursued tho
wise policy since inaugurated by Gen. Scott, of
employing propier means to induce the free d
men to labor, instead of encouraging them to
depend on the Government for support. We
think there will b 0 no necessity for the issue
after the present season, if the policy of Gen.
Scott is carried out.
Faithful and efficient agents of the Bureau,
who have confined themselves to their legiti
mate functions, have been aided in the dis
charge of their duties by tho citizens of South
Carolina, while incompetent and meddlesome
agent**, wherever located, have aroused bitter
feelings and encountered opposition from the
white, preople.
Avery wholesome and acceptable reform in
the administration of the Bureau in this depart
ment, and one that will result in a considerable
reduction cf its expenses, would be to discon
tinue the citizen agents and instruct the miii*s
tary officers ou duty in the State to perform
such offices as may be required by the Bureau
during its existence.
It is very apparent that such employees as
“Bureau Missionary,” “Bureau Counselor,’’
“Bureau Printer’’ and “Bureau Storekeeper,”
can be dispensed with without detriment to
either the Government or freedmen.
COLUMBIA DISTRICT.
The first point in South Carolina where we
commenced our investigation was at Columbia.
There we found Brevet Brigadier General Ely,
Sub Assistant Commissioner of tho Bureau,
who has charge of a district which embraces
an indefinite number of counties. We were
unable to obtain from him a statement of the
extent of territory over which he presided, for
the reason that he himself did not know the
’limits of his jurisdiction. This officer is quite ex
tensively engaged in the cultivation of planta
tions. His planting interest in the vicinity of
Columbia required .0 much of his time that,
in one instance at least, he found that ho had
seriously neglected the proper duties of his
office. Gen Ely stated that he was cultivating
two plantations on Government account, leased
by himself as Bureau Agent at a cash rent of
$5,000 a year. On three other plantations he
stated that he had put freedmen to work and
furnished them with Government rations,
which were paid for out of their crops. One
of these plantations, he afterwards said, hid
been rented by Wm. B. Shepley, of jbe 25th
Infantry, who had beau a clerk in his office.
He [Gen. Ely] had put the freedmen to work
on the plantation while Shepley was away at
his home, and had promised to give them one
half of the crop.
A delegation of freedmen subsequently call
ed on us and stated that iu addition to the two
plantations which Gen. Ely was cultivating on
Government account, he was also planting on
his own account the farms of Robert J. iner and
A. M. Hunt. This detemitiou further stated
that twenty-nine colored persona, men, wo
men and children, suffering from the small
pox, were crowded into one room, about
twenty feet by. twenty-four in size, and placed
on tho bare floor, with no bedding, white their
only covering was the blankets they hid
brought with them. These poor creatures were
left in this condition several days, some of
them delirious, with only one black woman to
attend them, and without any nourishment but
meat and bread. A number of respectable old
colored people, attacked with the small pox,
were thus taken from their comfortable homes
and placed in this rooa to die of negiect. Oao
of this delegation assured us that he called to
see Gen. Ely on several different days to
inform him of the suffering condition of the
freedmen in tho small pox hospital, and was
told on each occasion that the General could not
be seen as he was absent attending to his plan
tations. This negieet of duty by Gen. Ely was
complained of in a letter written by Beverly
Nash, a colored man, and published in a
Charleston paper devoted to the interests of
the freedmen. After the publication of this let
ter, Gen. Ely told Nash he did not like to have
such statements made about him, and wished
the freedmen to get up some resolutions deny
ing the truth of the allegations preferred,
wtiich they refused to do.
We examined a contract between a planter
and freedman, which is on file in Gen. Ely’s
office and herewilh forwarded. If this contract
is to be regarded as evidence of the condition
of the freedmen under charge of Gen. Ely,
they are certainly very little better off than
they were while in slavery. The system of
labor established in this contract is at best 3
systom of peonage.
CHARLESTON DISTRICT.
From Columbia we proceeded to Charleston,
the headquarters of the Bureau for South Car
olina, where we met Brig. Gen. R. K. Scott,
the Assistant Commissioner. We found him
to beau energetic and competent officer, la
boring to correct the mistakes and blunders of
his predecessors, although he has been on dory
but a short time, he has produced a marked
change for the better in the administration of
affairs of the Bureau. We called at his office
for the purpose of examining the records of
the Bureau,but we were informed that all the
books, papers, records and documents pertain
ing to the affairs of the freedmen from the es
tablishment of the Bureau, and all records re
lating to me administration of the Bureau in j
sonth Carolina from its organization" to the J
''.me of Gen. Scott’s assuming charge of affairs, j
had been carried off by Gen. Saxton, and that |
be had left only a file of his own genpral
orders in the oflije. Gen. Saxton gave as a
reason for this proceeding that it was necessity
for him to have the books and records “to
make him all right at Washington.’’ In the ab
sence of official documents, we were unable
to institute any close examination into the
conduct of the officers of the Bureau who had
been on duty in South Carolina previous to
Gen. Scott’s administration, and we oonld only
judge ot their conduct by the condition in
which we found the freedmen in those places
where the policy of Gen. Saxton had been fully
carried out, and where its effects were still ap
parent. Reasoning from these data we are
convinced that the effects of the operation of
the Bureau on the. freedmen in respect to their
habits and disposition to labor and support
themselves, under the administration of Gen.
Saxton, was exceedingly pernicious, especially
on the Sea Isjands. to which we will allude fur
ther in our account of the freeumen’s settle
ments thereon, on the seaboard.
Chaplain M. French, United States Colored
Troops, Bureau Missionary and Superintendent
of Marriage Relations, and Lieut. L. J. Lott,
Sub-Assistant Commissioner, having charge of
a freedmen’s camp at Charleston, are iu part
nership with Wm. Hanchan, of Charleston, in
cultivating a plantation on Edisto Island.—
They furnished $1,500 in money to carry on
the plantation, and are to receive half the not
profit of the undertaking. They purchase
supplies in Charleston, and forward them to
the olantation. Chaplain French explained tu
ns that in making the agreement with Wm
Hanehan, he was actuated solely by a desire to
assist him to furnish labor for the poor freei
men; but with evep an ordinary crop, he wili
not receive leas than 250 or 300 per cent, on
the money advanced.
When we called the attention of Gen. Scott
to the planting operations of Gen: Eiy, Chap
lain French and Lieut. Lott, he eviueed his
disapproval of this action bf these officers.
Under the guidance of Gen. Scott, the con
dition of the freedmen in Charleston has been
very much improved, and t§e bad feding
which had grown up between the whites and
blacks under the former administration is
gradually wearing away. Most of the freed
men are now at work and receive good wages.
We visited Edgefield Court House, now the
centre of the district of which Lieut. Col. Dave
reaux has charge, the headquarters ot which
are at Hamburg, on the Savannah river, op
posite the city of Augusta, Ga. There have
been a number of brutal outrages committed
in this district on the freedmen, by a band of
outlaws, who, through the apparent neglect cf
the agent of the Bureau, or the Inability or the
unwillingness of the citizens to bring them to
justice, have escaped punishment, and are still
at large. A number of intelligent and influential
citizens in Edgefield, in conversation with us,
strongly oondemned the conduct of the viilians
who had murdered unoffending freedmen.—
These citizens stated that the murders were
committed by a band of men from the States
of Texas, Kentucky and Tennessee, who had
been in the rebel army, and were prevented by
their crimes from returning to their respective
homes, and who had taken to the road for a
livelihood, and were stealing horses from
white people, and robbing and murdering
colored men because they were defenceless
We asked the citizens why they were not ar
rested by the civil authorities. Their reply
was that they were in doubt as to their author
ity to act—that the Freedmen’s Bureau,, with
the military support, was the superior power,
claiming exclusive authority to arrest and
punish persons committing outrages ou freed
men, and that as long as this state of things
existed they were powerless to punish crimes
of this character. They evinced much indig
nation at what they termed the injustice of a
portion of the Press in holding them account,
able tor crimes aud barbarities, which they
said were aa revolting to them as to any other
portion of the American people, while the
power to punish the perpetrators was wilhheld
from them. They alßo assured us with unani
mity that hereafter, although their civil Gov
ernment was still partially paralyzed, every ef
fort would be made to punish all persons guil
ty of committing outrages on freedmen.
We learned that six or seven freedmen had
been murdered by the band ci outlaws referred
to during the months of March and April, and
although a month had eiapsed since the last of
those crimes was committed, and action had
been taken by Gen. Sickles, the investigation of
the same was commenced by the Bureau agent
only a few days since, and is now progressing
at Hamburg, thirty mile3 from tho scene of the
murders. We earnestly hope these murderers
may be brought to justice.
SEA ISLANDS.
On the 13th of May we left Charleston by
Bteamer, and visited first the Sea Islands on
the coast of South Carolina, which have been
and still are, with the islands ou the coast of
Georgia, under the exclusive control of the
Bureau. There are on these islands one hun
dred and forty one valid possessory titles to
land held by freedmen, under the order of Gen.
Shermau. They encumber thirty two planta
tions, situated on Jamc3, Johns, Wadmalan,
and Edisto Islands. The number of freedmen
now on ail the South Carolina islands is about
30,000. They form, however, but a small pro
portion of the aggregate number who have
occupied the islands since Gen. Sherman’s or
der was issued; many of those who first came
here remained on the island but a short time,
and then returned to their homes on. the main
land. Others who made small crops gathered
them in, and left to seek more profitable em
ployment. A large majority of the freedmen
who still remain on the islands are in destitute
circumstances. On Wadmalan and Edisto is
lands, many who are cultivating lands for
themselves would be compelled to abandon
their crops, were it not for tho provisions furn
ished by the planters. Last .»..son Govern
ment rations and clothing were furnished to
moat of the freedmen, who were working on
their own account, with the agreement that
they should afterward pay for these supplies
furnished out of the proceeds of their crops,
but none of the outlays thus incurred have
been repaid. We found, on inquiry, that some
of the freedmen raised good crops, and could
easily have reimbursed the Government for
the Euppties provided for them, but most of
them were swindled out of ali they made by a
gang of white sharpers who, pretending to he
their friends, gained permission to come upon
the islands and set up store!?, provided with
sweetmeats, cheap jewelry aud worthless ar
ticles of dress, with which they plundered these
poor creatures of their hard earnings The
same ciass of persons who thus defrauded the
freedmen last year, have made extensive prepa
rations to secure this season’s crop by the same
means. We found a number of their stores on
Edisto and Wadmalaw Islands, and will men
tion one case where one of them is connected
with a plantation as an example. This store is
on a farm rented aqd cultivated by a Mr Un
derwood, of Boston, Mass. Accompanied by
Geu. Scott wq stopped on the plantation and
investigated the condition of the freedmen
thereon, working by the “task,” which is pre
cisely the same manner in which their former
owners worked them. The mice per task is
fifty cents, which, if paid in money or its equiv
alent, would be fair wages; but, in lieu of
money, tickets were given them, on which was
printed “Good for in provisions at our
store ” These tickets were taken up by the
storekeeper, with corn at $3 per bushel, and
other articles at similarly oxerbitant prices
There was no meat in the shop. The freed
people gathered round us while we were there,
an i complained bitterty of their treatment,
stating that' with the wages paid them they
were unable to earn enough to buy, at the
prices charged, their necessary subsistence. If
these freedmen were paid in money for their
labor they conld escape the extortions of the
shopkeeper, but with the tickets issued to them
they are compelled to pay the prices charged
and take whatever the shopkeeper sees fii to
give them. Competition, which would great
ly reduce the price of provisions, is prevented,
at least on this plantation, by military orders.
Mr. Tolls, on an adjacent plantation, was sell
ing corn to these people at $2 per bushel, and
taking Underwood tickets in payment, but he
was compelled to deai3t by special order.
Maj. J. E. Edwards, Sub-A:«istant Commis
sioner for the Islands, stated that his atten
tion had been called to some difficulty among
the freedmen on Underwood’s plantation,
which he had investigated and found the
freednr nin fault. He therefore requited the
freedmen to resume work,and notified them that
if they did not do so he would arrest them. Au
examination led us to a different conclusion
from that arrived at by Major Cornelius. In
our opinion the condition and treatment of the
freedmen on Underwood’s plantation fully
ju-tified them in refusing to work.
Nea* the plantation rented and worked by
Mr. Underwood, is one owned by Mr Jenkins,
on which an opposite mode of treatment is
pursued. The freed people here were work
ing three days out of the week for wages fifty
cents a task paid in corn at two dollars per
bushel, and bacon at twenty-five cents per Jb.
—and during the remainder of the
week, they were allowed to cultivate
for themselves as much as they could
manage, the land being given them by Mr.
Jenkins free of rent.
On the Baynard plantation on Eaisto Island,
the following circumstances were brought to
cur knowledge. This farm was being culti
vated by freedmen on their own account, part
ly under land graDts, and partly without. On
the 12th of May last, when the crops hid ail
been planted and the cotton was being hoed, a
man from New York named Holton, came on
the farm with a squad of colored soldiers
under charge af a sergeant and compelled t’ao
freedmen to contract with him to cultivate the
land for his benefit. What the exact terms of
this contract were, none of the neodmen kuew.
Some believed they were to gat a third of the
crop, while others stated they wore to receive
only one-fourth, aud were to pay $5 each
month for the rent of their cabins Mr. Hol
ton was not on the plantation at the time of
our visit, and we were consequently unable to
ascertain the true nature of the contract, no
copy of it hiving been left with the freedmen.
We called attention of the Assistant Commis
sioner to tho complaints of the freedmen on
this plantation, '
Chaplain. French, Bureau Missionary, and
Rev. C L. Brodwali, (colored,) of Edisto Is
land, stated to us that a similar occurrence
had taken place on the plantation rented by
a gentleman recently mustered out of the Uni
ted States service, when the freedmen, after
planting their crops, had been dispossessed and
forcibly compelled to sign a contract, a squad
of colored soidiers having been used for that
purpose.
Whila.on Edisto Island wo visited Mr. Ed*
ding’s plantation, which is "being cultivated
by freedmen exclusively, working under tho
direction of one of their own number, a super
intendent chosen by themselves. Here the
people are apparently doing well, aud have a
fair prospect of a good crop. This, however,
is almost the only instance we met with on any
of the Islands where the freedmen, cultivating
exclusively for themselves, without the direc
tion of whites, were doing even tolerably,well.
We visited the plantations besides those
named above on Eiisto and Wadmelaw, but
mention these only as a fair index of the eou
di’.ion of thiugs generally on those islands.
There are no lund grants under Gen. Sher
man’s order ou Port Royai Island, but the
freed people ho‘d and are cultivating a consi
derable portion of this island under 'ax titles.
Some of them made their third crop last soar,
son on these lands; but notwithstanding tho
advantage thus enjoyed, they are nearly all of
them now hi destitute circumstances. Their
present impovished condition is attributable
to the fact that their crops were purchased by
Beaufort storekeeps and others at merely
nominal rates, in most instances at less than a
fourth oi their real value. These thrifty traders,
many of whom made their advent in Beaufort
with the army, purchased the Sea Island cot
ton of the freedmen at ten cent3 a pound iu the
seed, and have this season already secured
mortgages to a large proportion of tho freed.-
man’s crop—in.eoma instances even ou their
lands.
SAVANNAH, GA-, AND TUB ISLANDS.
After visiting the South Carolina islands ws
proceeded to Savannah, Ga., where we were
joined by Brevet Mij Gen David Til Ison As
sistant Commissioner of the Bureau for Geor
gia. He aceompained us on our visit to the
sea islands under his charge. Our first in
vestigation was oa St. Catherine’s Island.
There has been much confusion aud disorder
here, occasioned by Rev. Tunis 'J. Campbell, a
colored m m from Nova Scotia, who was located
on ihe island by Gen. Saxton as an agent of
ths Bureau. This man abolished all the sim
ple rules and regulations adopted by the freed
men for their own guidance, and established
instead a parody of the United States Govern
ment, putting himself in the position of Pres
ident, and assuming in addition dictatorial
powers. Under his adminstration the freed
men were armed, no white man was allowed
to land on the isiand, and every effort was
made So stir up feelings of animosity against
the white race. Among other powers assumed
by Campbell he issued land grants, claiming
to do so “by virtue of the authority vested in
him by the President of the United States and
Geu, Saxton,” and took especial care to bestow
the best allotments on himeolf and relations,
The conduct of this man had a most prejudi
ced influence on the freedmen, and placed
them for a time entirety beyond the eontiol
of the Assistant Commissioner for Georgia.
On his first visit to the island Gen. Tillson dis
covered that prompt intervention was neces
sary ’ for the interest of the freedmen thom
seives, as their lands were being uncultivated,
and they were not far removed from absolute
want. With much difficulty he obtained a
hearing from them, and succeeded in restoring
order and getting them to work, and abolish*
iog the absurd form of Government established
by Campbell. Gen. Tillson ascertained that
of the whole number of land grants on tea
island, seveteen only were vaiid. These grants
covered 515 acres, and were scattered all over
the island. He consolidated them so as to ac*
cupy one Toetiion of the island only, leaving
the remainder for cultivation by the proper
owners. There ate at present 625 freedmen
ou this island ; of these 147 are working for
Messrs. Wincherter & Schuyler of New York,
who have rented a part of the Ordbury planta
tion, and the remainder are cultivating land on
their own account. The 147 freedmen work
ing for Winchester & Schuyler have planted
531) acres of cotton and 115 of com ; the 475
freedmen working for themselves have planted
only 200 acres oi cotton and 200«cres of corn.
From St. Catherine's we went to Sipelo
Island, which is cultivated exclusively by
Messrs. Dickson is Mcßride. Thu freedmen
cere are working the land for two-thirds of
the crop, and, so far as we could perceive,
were weii treated and cared for, and will make
money if they cau be protected from the bad
influences Os a bad man named , who
C’.me among them last year with a permit from
Cant. Ketchum, Bureau Agent, under General
Saxton, bought their cotton at 10 ceuta pur
pound in the seed, aud paid them mainly in
whiskey. This vicious man has exerted such
an evil influence over these freedmen as to
make them dissatisfied with an excedingly
liberal contract.
On Si. Simon’s Island there are eighteen
valid laud grants encumbering four plantations.
There is between five and six hundred freed
men on the island. Most ot whom are work
ing for wages, are well led, and appear to be
perfectly contented. On two of the plantations
they were working without formal contracts,
but we were assured by the Bureau agent that
these freedmen retted confidently on being
fairly dealt with by their employers. Our
visit to this isiand satisfied us that the freed
men there were doing exceedingly well.
OUEECIiEE KIVEK SETTLEMENT.
This settierneat, embracing originally several
hundred freed people, the largest colony on
the coast, under General Sherman’s order, was
last year under tbo control of Rev Mr. Tiffany,
an ageut ot the Bureau, appointed to that po
sition by General Saxton. If the records kept
by General Saxton were in our reach we conld,
without doubt, obtain official information as to
the workings of this settlement ; but in the
absence oi the records we can only report such
facts as are within the knowledge of General
Tillson, and other officers on duty in the De
partment.
On taking charge of this settlement, Mr.
Tiff'ioy hired twenty-five freedmen as a guard,
armed witn United States muskets, and used
them to prevent any white men entering the
settlement. Seven United States officers who
had not Mr. Tiffany's pass were halted and
refused the use of the Government boat to
cross the Ogeechee River. This guard ot
twenty-five men, who served the entire season,
were to be paid out oi the proceeds oi the rice
crop, rebec! by freedmen of the settlement.
Mr, Tiffany gave them certificates for the
amount due them, which certificates they still
hold, but are unable to get either rice or
money.
Ah the freed people of this colony wore eun«
piled through the season with Government
rations, which were to be paid for out of their
crops We were informed by the Bureau offi
cers of the department that none of these .ra
tions have ever ueen ripaid. A very consid
erable crop oi rice was made by the freedmun,
and Mr. Tiffany, the agent, advertised sixty
thousand bushels of it for sale. General Till
son, who had in the interim assumed charge
of *he Bureau in Georgia, seeing the advertise -
ment, ordered the sale to be suspended, and
notified Tiffany that only bonded officers were
authriz’d to sell Government properlty.
What disposition was eventually made of the
rice crop, or who received the profils of it, we
were unable to ascertain Mr. 'tiffany shortly
after this retired, whether voluntarily or
otherwise can only be determined by tho re
cords, which are not within our reach. Most
of the freed people (A the settlement bocame
di:beartened, and voluntarily abandoning their
land grants, are now working under contract
for the former owners of the iand, or the per
sons who have rented plantations from land
owners. •
We have mentioned these particular cases as
indicating the condition of the freedmen oc
cupying the Sea Islands aud tho coaeT under
General Sherman’s order. Our personal ob
servations, the evidence we have taken, and
the inquiries we have been obliged to make to
supply the place of records, have convinced
us that the condition of the freedmen of these
settlements, while in charge of General Sax
ton, was such as so give but little hop? that,
under the policy pursued by that officer, they
would ever have become self-supporting, even
with the fertile lands on whieh they were
located, placed at their disposal, free from rent
or taxes. The failure of General Saxton’s
admininktration resulted from a variety of
causes, among which may be ianumerated :
The unnecessary continuance ot Govern
m at sap pot t to the freedmen, which tended to
increase their natural improvidence, and to
encourage habits of idleness.
Keeping them under such guardianship and
tutelage that they were disinclined to make
prbper exertions for their own support or im
provement.
Teaching them to distrust all white men but
those who had immediate authority over them,
or who came among them with passes from
the Bureau, thus preparing them to fall an
easy prey to the sharpers who afterwards ob
tained access to them under the guise of
friendship, taking advantage of their credulity,
and fraudulently appropriating their crops.
Their inexperience in providing for their
own support, and in managing business for
themselves.
It is not iu the power of Gena. jTilison or
Scott, until a crop has baeu raised under their
respective administrations, to materialy im
prove the condition of the freedmen ou the sea
islands. Although these officers have effected
salutary reforms in tho conditions of the blacks,
and in their disposition to labor, and have been
tastiumeata 1 in removing from their minds
many of the absurd ideas which had been in
stilled among them, idleness, discord and bit
ter prejudices against the white people still
exist. The extent to which they were deluded
by the few white men who had intercourse
with them's almost incredible. Among the
evideuoi taken in reference to their condition,
and which bears directly on this point is the
statement of a distinguished general officer,who
was in command of a district embraeiDg’ part
of the islands, as follows:
‘ J assumed command in January, 18C5, of
a district iu which the South Carolina sea
islands were included. They were then in a
state oi turmoil aud coufnsiou, amounting to
almost open rebellion. Armed patrols were
maintained on the islands to prevent any
white mau trom landing. Several gentle
men from Pennsylvania who attempted to
laud, (improperly I must say,) wore arrested
by the freedmen. I had placed a guard on
each wharf to prevent their reing molested,
but they choose to make a landing on a part of
the island where no guard was stationed. The
negroes had been told and believed that a
large force of rebel cavalry still occupied
the woods on tho mainland. Utter lawless
ness prevailed, and cattle stealing raids on the
mainland by the negroes on the mainland
wore of frequent occurrence. I went over
and broke up their military bauds and told
them the war was over. I then set to work to
organize a system of labor. I found forty
acre allotments under Geu. Sherman’s order,
of most elastic dimensions. The largest I saw
was 350 acres and the smallest 312 acres, Many
freedmen who had land orders for John’s Is
land had settled ou James Island; and certifi
cates for Edisto Island were plentiful oq Wad
malan Island.
Scarcely any attempt had beon made to cul
tivate iand. There were not more than two
acres ‘listed out’ in any one patch on Edisto
Island. I had to discontinue the is#ie of ra
tions before 1 could get them to work at all. I
had nearly succeeded iu getting them to work
whon the bill securing their land titles passed
Congress and every filing was again thrown
into confusion. Matters are now, however,
gett ; ng straight again.”
An impartial comparison of the comparative
condition of tho freedmen on the South Caro
lina Is'ands and those in Florida and South
west Georgia, clearly demonstrates that the
freed people who have remained on tho plan
tations and have been aided by tho advice of
sensible and practical military aud Bureau
officers, are infinitely better off than those who
have been assisted with rations and clothing
by tho Government.
fn our option the most equitable solution
of the question of tho occupation of the Sea Is
lands and tho coast under Geu. Sherman’s or
der, will be to surrender the lands to the for
mer owners, on the (list day of January next,
requiring the land owners to pay to tho freed
men the value in monoy of all improvements
made by them while occupying the land—this
to bo determined by a commission appointed
liy the Government. Oi course we do not
mean by this to interfere with any of the freed
men who may desire to surrender the lands
they are now occupying at any time before
that date, by arrangement between themselves
and tho owners cf tho iand. Gens. Tillson and
Scott both concur with ns that this arrange
ment will give genera! satisfaction to both tho
freedmen aud iand owners. Should the re
commendation ba adoptod by the Government
we respectfully suggest that the order bo issued
before tho last of September next, so as to give
both parties ample time to make arrange
ments for the next Beacon’s planting.
FLORIDA.
After completing our investigations of the Sea
Islands, we wont to Fernandina, Fla. Here
we found Capt. Leddy, of the Volunteer Re
serve Corps, on duty as agent of the Bureau,
having charge of a district embracing two coun
ties, containing 1,000 freedmen. These arc
generally at work lumbering, and get from S2O
to $26 per month as wages. Capt. Leddy is as
sisted by Maj. Schreaber, formerly an officer of
the Seventh Ohio Infantry, who acts as agent
without pay, but is partially compensated by re
ceiving $5 Ice for each contract drawn up and
approved. Capt. Leddy is a good, judicious
man, who by friendly interference and good ad
vice, has settled most of the difficulties which
have arisen in his district between the freedmen
themselves and between the whites and freed
men, without litigation.
We next visited Jacksonville, the headquar
ters of Capt. Webster, who has charge of sev
eral counties, in which freed-people are general
ly at work and are liberally compensated.
There had teen at this place a few days before
our visit much bad feeling betwoen the white
and colored people, produced by irritating, false
reports, circulated by vicious persons, but through
tiie efforts of the Governor of the State, the De
partment Commandant and the officers of the
Bureau, harmony and mutual confidence had
been restored.
We next visted Tallahassee, the Headquar
ters of the Department Commander anil the As
sistant Commissioner of the Bureau for the
State, from whom we obtained the following
statistics;
1 Major, Brevet Colonel, Assistant Com
missioner.
1 Major, staff duty.
3 Captains, staff duty.
5 Captains, tfub.-Assistant Commissioners.
3 First Lieutenants, Sub-Assistant Commis
sioners.
5 Second Lieutenants, Sub-Assistant Com
missioners.
0 Citizens, agents and subordinate Commis
sioners, at average pay per month, $125.
1 Assistant Superintendent oi Education;
pay per month, $ 100.
I Contract Surgeon; pay per month, SIOO.
4 Clerks; average pay per month, SBB 50.
8 Nurses for hospital and ono messenger;
average pay per month, sl4 30.
In giving tho rank of the officers on duty in
the Bureau, the brevet rank is omitted, in or
der that tho rank may indicate the amount of
pay drawn by each.
The number of rations issued by the officers
of the Bureau, or by Post Commander on re
quest oi the Assistant Commissioner of the
Bureau, in the State of Florida, since the Ist of
Dec., 1865, to the Ist of May, 1866, were
12,716, valued at $2,023 25. The average
monthly issue amounted to 2,543. Among
the number who have been receiving rations,
were the inmates of the Orphan Asylum, lo
cated at Fernandina, which is under the charge
of the National Freedmen’s Aid Association,
and the «imates of the Freedmen’s Hospital at
Magnolia, which is controlled by the Bureau.
The Assistant Commissioner stated that ra
tions have been issued only to the inmates of
the Asylum and Hospital, and in some isolated
cases where the circumstances of the freedmen
show actual destitution and inability to provide
for themselves and families. Some of the ra
tions have been issued upon returns signed by
roe, by post commanders not connected with
the Bureau, consequently I have not the data
from which to report the number, age, and the
sex of those who have received rations. *
Brevet Col. T. W. Osborne, the Assistant'
Commissioner of the Bureau lor Florida, is an
intelligent and just man, and an energetic and
impartial officer. The most favorable accounts
were given us by citizens, by the military and
bureau officers, and by the irecd-people, of the
good condition of the freedmen in this Depart
ment, as well as Gs the encouraging prospects
of the crops which they are cultivating.
After leaving Tallahassee, the next point at
which we stopped was Monticeilo, where there
are several plantations, on which a large number
ol freedmen are employed working for one-third
of the crops. Both planters and freedmen are
satisfied, and all besr testimony to the wisdom
and justice of the administration of the Bureau
by Col. Osborne.
Throughout the entire State the military, the
Bureau, and the civil authorities, are generally
acting in harmony, which in our opinion is the
main reason why the freedmen are more quiet,
orderly and thrifty here than they are in locali
ties in which there is antagonism between these
powers. The only exception to thi states of
things in Florida is at Jacksonville, the cause
of which has already been stated.-
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES B. STEEDMAN, Major-General.
J. S Fullerton, Brevet Brigadier-General.
A lad, Willie Ott, eon of C<H. Ott, of Eu*
faula, and a pupil of Mr. Isham’a school in
Columbus, was drowned in the Chattahoocbie
river at the latter place Sunday last, whilst
swimming in oompany with playfellows.
Latest Aspect of the European War Question.
Ihe news from England to the Ist of Juno
».r ro£n • t * l9 Continent of Europe to the 30th
ot May, gives but little more information of a
decisive character than wo had before. The
notes of invitation for a congress or conference
of the great Powers which had been sent by
trance, Eugland. and Russia to the other gov
ernments concarned, had been receivod and
responses given by Austria and Italy, and it
was reported, also by Prussia. If tho report
be correct as to tho latter, aud it probably is,
the six great powers have agreed to confer
wita a view to lab; over the difficulties, it not
*° adjasUfiem. The Diet of the Germanic
Confederation also had been invited to send a
representative, and had agreed to do so. Tho
Paris Conference would thus be composed of
tho represetatives of France. England. Russia
Austria, Prussia, Italy and the Germanic Con
federation. The lesser States and Spain, which
is not so directly concerned, appear to be left
out. The day for the assemblage of the Con
gress had not been named at the latest mo
ment. It was asserted, in well informed quar
ters in Paris, that the Emperor Napoleon
would preside ever the deliberations of the
bo iy in person,
Hardiy ever did an European Congress meet
under more difficult circumstances ; and there
does not appear to ho much hope of a peaceful
solution. The British Government, through its
Minister, and the British press express their
fears, at tho same time they are using all their
influence to avert war. Italy has promised not
to commenco hostilities at present, but will
not suspend her armaments. The people of
Germany, particularly of the smaller States
are anxious to avoid war. Still two millions
of armed men are held ready; with their hands
on the instruments death, to strike at any
moment. A little spark would set this tre
mendous magazine in a blaze. The greater
part if not the whole of Europe rests on a vol
cano of war and revolution, the locus of which
is in Italy. It is true, as the Paris Consiitn
tionnel remarks, that the three Courts which
have made a movement for peace are support
ed by tho unanimous voice aud general inter
ests of Europe which they represent; but this
support may not be able to withstand the revo
lutionary fervor invoked in Italy and which is
spreading over the Continent. Between the
ambition of the reigning families and the deep
revolutionary undersweii of the masses there
does not seem to be much chance for peace.
We see trom what has occurred since tho
combined movement of Prussia and Austria
on Schleswig Holstein that the political con
dition and international relations of Europe •
are such that one stop cannot be taken in war
without producing difficulties in other por
tions oi the Continent. The urtiucißl system
of the balance of power, which was constructed
ot the conclusion of tho wars with tho first
Napoleon, and which has beon patched up sev
eral times since, c annot be disturbed without
placing Europe in imminent danger. The war
in a corner of Northern Europe about the
possesion of a small territory commenced the
trouble. Tho two great. Gcrmau Powers com- ’
blued to wrest from a feeble neighboring State
a part of its aucient possessions, professedly
because the majority ot the population wete
German, but really because one of them, Prus
sian, wanted to increase her dominions and
her weight in the Confederation. The quarrel
of Austria and Prussia over this led to the war-
like movement in Italy. Now the question of
the Elbe duchies is overshadowed by that of
Italy. llow many others are involved in tho
Italian ono ? How many revolutionary move
ments may grow out of this ? Or what change
may it produce in the map oi Europe.
The Italian monarchy is not more ambitious
to enlarge its dominions than the people are to
unite the Italians under ono government
Garibaldi and tho masses are as much in earnest
as tho King and the Court to wrest Venelia
from Austria and annex it to tho kingdom oh
Italy. Austria is determined to defend her
possessions against war, from without or revo
lution within, and has an army of eight or nine
hundred thousand men for that purpose. Tho
voice of the Paris Conference may be powerful
enough if the representatives should agree to
hold young Italy iu check; but that is doubt
ful. Tho Powers of Europe may see that so
long as Austria possesses that part of Italy
there wi'l be danger ot war, if even it ba
avoided just now, and may proposo the cession
of it to Italy. But will Austria consent to this
under any circumstances? If not, how can
war be avoided? 'territorial compensations
have been intimated as a possible solution of
the difficulty. Who is to bo despoiled to com
pensate Austria for tho loss of Venetia ? Tur
key ? We think the “sick man of the East”
will become very sick if these proposed com
pensations are made. Tho Dauubian Princi
palities already begin to loom up again amidst
the smoko of European troubles. It is not at
all improbable that the ancient friendship of
Russia and Austria may return under present
complications aud that an alliance to check
Russia in the East will not be possible again.
Every way the state of Europe just now is hill
of interest. The prospect is that there will be
a war on a gigantic scale and that revolutions
and re-arrangement of the map of Europe will
foltow as a consequence.
The reports from Paris, Vienna and Flor
ence, written immediately previous to the sail
ing of tho last steamer from Londonderry, on
the Ist of June, indicate that very little faith
was entertained in either city as to the ability
of the diplomatists in the Congress to maintain
peace. Italy remained in a blaze of war fever,
tho King and Garibaldi wore masters of the
situation, and it was anticipated that tho
united people of the kingdom would soon
strike the first blow. It is stated from Kiel,
however, that blows had been already ex
changed between some Austrian and Prussian
soldiers, but as no “deaths occurred” aa “of
ficial inquiry had been instituted.” The Old
World continued in a dangerous crisis.
DIVORCES IK 0810.
Upward* cf Eight Hundred Last Year,
The Cincinnati Gazette has an interesting con
densation of that portion of the report oi the
Ohio Commissioner of Statistics for 1865, which
relates to the number and character of divorces.
It says:
The whole number of divorces iu this State
reach the number of eight hundred and thirty
seven in one year. This, at the present popu
lation of the State, is one to three thousand per
sons, and one divorce to twenty-six of the an
nual number of marriages. It is not a very
pleasant thought, that when we look upon
twenty-six couples of young married people, we
know that one of those couples must be divorced,
Yet such is the state of facts.
The causes of divorce are described in revised
statutes of this State to be : Ist. “Another wife
or husband living.” 2. “Wilful absence for three
years.” 3d. “Adultery.” 4th. “Impotcncy,”
which is put under the general head of fraud.
sth. “Extreme cruelty,” whieh, with the 7tb,
“Gross neglect of.duty,” is put under the same
head. Bth. “Habitual drukenness-” The di
vorces of other States are like recognized, which
oftentimes give rise to frauds.
To divorce parties for “three years’ wilful ab
sence” is, in many cases, to legalize fraud. It
may be said that neither the wife nor society are
benefitted by kcej. ing a vicious or vagabond
husband. But if a husband or wife, especially
the former, chooses to take that inode of divorce
in this immense extent of country and various
States, he can do it any time. By residing in
any of four-fifths of the American States for two
or three years, a divorce can bo obtained on the
part of the vagrant husband, at the request of
the husband or wife, while the other party is,
perhaps, lamenting his absence, and utterly in
nocent of any offence.
The statistics of the county court are as foD
lows :
Adultery 276
Absence ’ 256
Cruelty and neglect 220
Drunkenness 55
Fraud 20
£ This table in one particular fails of giving the
true result. Only fifty-five cases are put down
as caused directly by
was the true cause in double that number, be
cause the trial of the cases in court shows that
drunkenness has been a main cause of cruelty
and neglect.
It is a little curious that while the crime of
adultery is very difficult lo prove, there should
be no less than two hundred and eighty-six
cases of open adultery proved in court. It shows
great abandonment of character on the part of
some of the community. It is not less curious
that the majority of these are in counties where
there are no large towns.
Specie Payment —The New York Tribune
is distressed because the Secretary of the
Treasury is, in the editor’s estimation, doing
nothing to hasten the resumption of specie
payments. On this, the Cincinnati Gazette
remarks, that he is doing the very thing, and
the only thing, that can prepare the way for,
that important consummation—be is reducing
the public debt. When the latter shall be
brought down below two thousand millions,
then the contraction ox the currency will be
possible,and specie payments wiP "follow in
due time. Tbo Tribune may not be able to
see it in this light, because it believes it pos
sible to resume specie payments whether (ho
currency shall be controlled or not; but peo
ple who have any practical knowledge of fi
nances do oof -xt e wjth our New York CO
temporary,