Viewing page 126 of 229

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

present situated in regard to treatment, food and clothing. 2d. I inform them what another rights and privileges as Freedmen. 3d I tell them of them obligations in their new capacity. 4th I enjoin on their respect, obedience and industry. 5th I assure them of protection and compensation commensurate with their industry and demeanor. There are several obstacles to a settled action with these people - not the least is the desire to go to Mobile or other cities or loaf around some place where they can get small jobs. Others are lured off by a shiftless class of white people who never do much themselves and consequently cannot or will not remunerate these people for their labor, and the steamboats induce any of these people with big promises which they seldom fulfill - to leave good homes. These people seldom make more than a passage or a trip and they are left in the cities. Mobile is thronged to a fearful excess. Their manner of living there is destructive to their morals and life. These noisome tenements are over crowded with these miserable people the most fatal disease is the consequences and so soon as the coming winter favors the small pox, that scourge of the colored race will sweep these unfortunates into untimely graves.

I respectfully request you will instruct if I am right in prohibiting these people from going to the cities. I have-excepting a few cases-made it a rule to hire these people here-if they could not stay or were discontented on one plantation. I oblige them to go to another with due regard to their treatment and I have prohibited them from going to the cities.

I am happy to inform you that there is a marked