Viewing page 200 of 271

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

relieved again. I think it is very evident that I have nothing like adequate assistance. Allow me to press this matter with reference to the coming year. The one point upon which all else depends is this. To secure the continuance of labor from the beginning to the end of the cotton year. If any adequate means are taken to effect this, so that planters may feel reasonably assured that they can depend on it, cotton will be largely planted. But all unite in saying that the cessation of labor upon the cotton crop for ten days or a fortnight at particular junctures would utterly ruin it. Thus sinking all their outlay. The experience of the present season shows that the negro cannot be depended to fulfil his contract of his own accord. The employer cannot speedily unlearn his harsh and despotic bearing, and the negro fancies many dangers that do not exist. The result is, that besides the stampedes that have been made for good cause, very many have occurred from no real cause at all. Some have left from such trivial causes as the finding a piece of cloth in their spring, and the inference therefrom that the master

Transcription Notes:
3-17-2021: Transcribed per guidelines (complete words with word break if they are last on a page) and marking for review