Viewing page 149 of 300

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Glenblythe, near Brenham
Wash'n Co. Texas,
26th August 1867.

General Griffin,

Sir,

Permit me to explain to you the condition of things here, & to make a suggestion or two.

I must confess, General, that after our conversation in Galveston, some days ago, in which you expressed your confidence in the honesty of the Negro, rather than in that of the White men of Texas, I hesitate to address you. But, as my object is to benefit, first the Negro, I shall do so. Trusting that I may make that object clear to you.

The worms will leave but little in this county. As I predicted a good many weeks ago.

Corn, too, cultivated by Negro labor, will be, generally, quite light — much lighter than they suppose.

Employers and renters are utterly discouraged. And few are inclined, & still fewer will be able to employ hands another year. Especially, if the Negroes either refuse to repay the advances made to them, or are unable to do so.

In my own case, I have only four families of Negroes on the place. These were employed by my son, who advanced food to them; supplies tools, implements & and teams, feeding the teams — and which, by the way, large and valuable mules have been fearfully neglected and abused. He purchased for for them Bacon to amount of $75. coin. And was to receive half of all crops made.

So, you will perceive, that the loss in our case cannot be great. The Negroes owe but little more to us, for advances.

The cotton will not, in my belief, pay their debts.  Their
over

over

Transcription Notes:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenblythe_Plantation