_Coffin's Point, June 3._ I suppose we shall lose General Hunter, for
even if not recalled I don't see how he could stay after Lincoln's
proclamation. I must say I think his, Hunter's action, premature and
uncalled for. It seemed to me very like the tadpole resolution in
"Festina lente." In this case, too, the tadpoles were quite out of our
reach except the small number in these islands, who had virtually shed
their tails in course of nature already. I have great faith in Lincoln
and am ready to leave the question with him. I think the effect of
Hunter's proclamation upon the slaves of these states would be
inconsiderable. They don't hear of it, to begin with, and if they did
they wouldn't care for it. I am surprised to find how little most of
these people appreciate their present prospects. Once in a while you
find an intelligent man who does so, but the mass plod along in the
beaten track with little thought about the future and no sort of
feeling of responsibility. They feel a sense of relief that no one
stands to force them to labor, and they fall back with a feeling of
indifference as to whether they exert themselves beyond what is
necessary to supply the demands of necessity. No better result can be
hoped for till the time comes for each to see the reward for his
labor. At present they are working upon faith, without even a definite
promise as to what that payment shall be. Hunter's course is of far
greater importance in its effect upon the political world in the North
than in its immediate influence upon the status of the negroes in the
districts to which it applies. The secret of such exploits as the crew
of the _Planter_ have lately performed lies in the fact that the men
were forcibly taken from this region last November and wanted to get
back home again. If their old home had been in Charleston, they would
not have left it at the risk they incurred. In short, I don't regard
the blacks as of any account in a military light, for they are not a
military race, and have not sufficient intelligence to act in concert
in any way where firmness of purpose is required.