Viewing page 229 of 239

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

know the whole condition of affairs here, I thought it would do no harm, to present them.

"The treatment of the Blacks by the Whites."
Were it not for the controlling hand of the Bureau and Military Authorities, I am satisfied the whites would treat them in a most unfair and unjust manner: daily, contracts are presented at the office, where they endeavor to obtain labor for a mere song, and even, where fair contracts are made, and approved at this office; and the "Freedmen" break up land, plants, a garden &c. the landlord, on some technicality, will claim that he has violated the contract, and will endeavor to turn him away, without giving him compensation for the labor performed. The whites here, without hesitation, deny the "Freedmen" all the attributes of manhood, and would if they dared treat them, as mere chattels, and seek to hinder the Bureau, in its efforts to give an opportunity, to the "Freedmen" to place himself in a position, where he will be able to maintain himself, after the Bureau shall cease to exist. There are gentlemen it is true, not led away by the prejudices of the times, frankly depreciate the

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-02-25 08:43:00