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[[preprinted]] 464 [[/preprinted]] [[Footnote 1]] when an attempt was made to induce the people to seek self-supporting labor. Immediately after your visit to Raleigh in Oct. I addressed a note to each member of the Constitutional Convention requesting him to name competent persons in his own county to act as agents of the Bureau for the hearing and decision of any cases that might come before them. In no instance has any requested been noticed. I have however a few citizen agents employed, & could appoint such in every county, but for the large expense it would involve. The Bureau is regarded by the politicians as an "intolerable nuisance", & yet is appealed to by people on all occasions as a necessity. Maj. Genl. Ruger Comdg. the Dept. has given me during the month just assistance by detailing all the officers required, and the District Commanders have seconded our efforts by their hearty support. Very Respectfully E. Whittlesey Col. and Asst. Commissioner. [[Footnote 1]] Howard [[line]] Bureau Refugees, Freedmen &c Hd. Qrs. Asst. Commmissioner &c Raleigh N.C. Dec. 8th 1865 Howard Maj. Genl. O.O. Commissioner &c General. I have the honor to transmit my report of the operations of this Bureau during the month ending No. 30th 1865. By the muster out of colored troops my corps of officers is again reduced much to the injury of the Bureau just at this critical season. With an efficient officer in each Sub-district it would be possible I think to "control all affairs relating to freedmen". It is surprising that, with so small a working force, so much work is done and so much influence exerted. The Bureau is hated as a representative of Federal rule, but it is respected as a representative of Federal power. By some it is beginning to be honored as a necessary and useful instrument of Government for the preservation of order, & the supply of pressing want. Acts of violence and serious difficulties between negroes & whites are becoming very rare. None deserving mention have been reported during the month. The destitution is not great as was anticipated, but there is reason to fear that it will increase before Spring. There is yet much trouble in some parts of the State upon the labor and contract question. It is not that the freedmen will not work, nor that the land-owners do not desire laborers. Labor is in demand at good wages. But the two parties cannot agree as to terms. The employer wants assurance that his workmen will not strike or desert him, when the crop is in its most critical state. Therefore he proposes to keep back one half or two thirds the wages promised till the end of the year. He will not hire by the month. The laborer says "You fool me long enough"; "you promise but never pay". "Dis chile aint guine be fooled any more". Therefore they refuse to contract by the year. Capt. James Supt. Eastern District says, "Practical difficulties still environ the contract system, the freedmen still feeling unwilling to engage with their old masters, or other Southern people, entertaining an utter distrust of their promises". Maj. Wickersham [[end page]] [[start page]] [[preprinted]] 465 [[/preprinted]] [[Footnote 1]] Supt. Southern District reports "a great demand for labor, but the freedmen refuse to enter into contracts for any period beyond the 1st of January. The system of working lands upon shares has so far proved a failure; the crops owing to a want of organization of labor are small, in many cases not paying the expense of cultivating. Lt. Col. Clapp Supt. Central District reports that "at present the freedmen throughout the District are diligently at work. Brig. Gen. Harding Comdg. the District tells me that in his tours of inspection he has found none idle or vagrant. This is confirmed by my own observation, & by the reports of my Asst. Supts. If they can be assured of just compensation for their labor, another year will find them with very few exceptions faithful and industrious laborers. In some portions of the District they are very generally making contracts to labor another year. In the Counties of Warren, Edgecomb, Nash, Halifax & Wayne (the best farming regions) they decline to make such contracts". From the Western District reports are more favorable. Bvt. Col Cilley Supt. of that Dist. reports that "freedmen are beginning to look for homes, contracts are made for the next year at fair wages, and many are renting lands on liberal terms. The temper of the better class of whites toward the blacks is good. The greater part of the blacks understand that they must work, and are willing to work." These extracts from reports of Supts. will place before you in a clear light the subject of labor. It should be said that land owners are much embarrassed for money to reward labor. To remedy this difficulty I have urged Northern Capitalists to furnish funds either by loans, secured by mortgages, or by renting farms. In some instances the latter has been done, and it remains to be seen how the experiment will succeed. A great Loan & Trust Company with - millions of Capital to be invested in farming would do much to develope the industry and supply the wants of all classes of people in the South at this time. Fears are expressed by some in different parts of the state, that outbreaks and violence will occur during the Christmas Holidays. But I can trace these fears to no just foundation. They are in my judgement relics of the past, nervous convulsions of the dead body slavery. I am doing all in my power to quiet apprehension & restore confidence. The presence of a military force will insure good order in any district. It is unfortunate I think that the force in the state has been so greatly and so early reduced. From the statistical tables sent herewith, you will learn the condition of the Bureau more fully; but the following summary will show at a glance the material facts. Rations issued in Nov. 108128 [[dittos for Rations issued in]] Oct. 120784 Decrease 12656 Contracts for Labor 42 Farms under control of the Bureau 128 Acres in (not all cultivated) 19661 [[Footnote 1]] Howard
