_Nov. 16._ The slip-potato crop is the only crop by which to judge of
the negroes' capacity to take care of themselves. This crop they have,
as a general rule, raised entirely by themselves, and for their own
consumption; they found their own manure, and received no help except
the use (small) of the Government teams on the place. The crop
exceeds, on the average, one hundred per cent. that raised by their
masters,--I mean that each man gets twice as much as he used to when
they worked and shared in common; and in some cases the tasks bear
twice as much. "They beer uncommon." "If we live to see," all the
crops next year, under a management that will encourage and
stimulate, will be proportionally as good as this 'tater crop. One
thing the people are universally opposed to. They all swear that they
will not work in gang, _i. e._, all working the whole, and all sharing
alike. On those places where the root 'taters were thus worked this
year, the crop did very poorly, and gave out long before its time.
Where the Government corn was thus worked, the yield averages, I
suppose, six to ten bushels, the nigger-field, meantime, bearing twice
as much, where they had manure.
Wherever the people have been able to look forward to the result of
the crop as beneficial to them, they have shown industry, care, and
energy in putting it through. There is much laziness to be overcome in
them, however; even in tending their own crops they sometimes neglect
well-known precautions because they cost too much trouble. But the
best of them have carried their own crops well, and their example is
beneficial in stimulating the lazier ones to exertion. There is a good
deal of emulation among them; they will not sit quietly and see
another earning all the money. And it is far better to adapt the
system to the intelligence of the best than to treat them all, as one
occasionally has to treat one or two, in special matters, like mere
children. I am sure a large number of them could get through the year
without any pecuniary aid from Government, on the simple assurance
that they should be paid for their crop when they had picked it. I am
often urged by the best of the people not to trouble myself about the
means of doing work, but just to tell them to do the work, and expect
to see it done, and not encourage them to ask for help to do
everything. "They kin do it, sir; don't you worry yeurself, sir; they
kin find herself, sir." They have not been working cotton for nothing
for so many years under their masters. They recollect how their
masters used to treat the land and crops, and what treatment proved
most successful. They need supervision and direction constantly, if
only to prevent fighting when one says "I free," "I as much right to
ole missus' things as you," etc., and more than all, they need the
presence and conversation of a white man, not only to elevate them,
but to encourage and stimulate them.
There is but one opinion expressed. "We won't be driven by nobody;" "I
don't want no driving, either by black man or white man." "We don't
want de whole valler of de cotton. De land belongs to de Gover_ment_,
de mule and ting on de place belong to de Gover_ment_, and we have to
'spect to pay somef'n for um. But you just pay us our share, accordin'
as we make crop, and if you live to see, Marsa Charlie, and God spare
life, you'll _see a crop on dis place next year_." "There will be a
difference in de land, sir, but we can't help dat; each one work his
own and do as well as he kin." It is mere fortune that one is on one
soil, another on another, kept in better order, perhaps, by the Secesh
master.
The negroes ought not to bear the burden of the loss of their crop
through any external cause, as the caterpillar, drought, etc. The
Government ought to stand in the gap and bear the loss. But I should
not tell the negroes anything about such atonement before it is made,
else one would be overwhelmed with applications from those who had
become tired of cotton-hoeing, and a thousand plausible stories would
be fabricated, to show that this man or that was peculiarly afflicted
in his crop.
_Nov. 25._ The people have begun ginning cotton on several places. The
gins are of the rudest construction. Two rollers, about the size of a
spool of thread, one above the other, horizontal, just touching, are
turned in opposite directions by two upright fly-wheels, moved by a
single treadle. The cotton, with the seed in it, is presented to these
rollers, which catch it and draw it through, leaving the seed behind.
Ginning is considered "light work." Thirty pounds of the clean cotton
is considered a good day's work. It is pretty severe for the knees.
Women gin with the men. The movement of "jump and change feet" when
one knee gets tired should be introduced into the ballet; it is very
elegant.
We have been reduced to the old system of rationing.[79] For the last
two months we have had liberty to draw the value of the soldier's
ration which is allowed us, in any kind of food. Consequently
everybody has rushed for sugar, rice, candles, and molasses,
disdaining hard bread, salt beef, and such low fare. Of course there
was soon a deficiency of the better articles in the Department, the
Army Commissary at Hilton Head declaring that we used up more candles
and sugar than any regiment; so we have got to draw soldier's rations
again, a few candles, a little dab of sugar, a big hunk of salt food,
and hard biscuit. They can be swapped for duck and chickens, but what
a bother to get them.
_Nov. 26._ I hear that Hunter's reappointment[80] causes some
dissatisfaction among the pro-slavery army officers here, as might be
expected.
_Dec. 2._ It is now rumored that we are likely to receive but little
help from Congress this winter, and that the Cotton Fund[81] is
getting low. It is said that the taking of Charleston would benefit us
more than anything else could; that any way we must take some place on
the main to attract attention and inspire confidence. The black
regiment may do something for our interests. General Saxton is going
to send a report of the year's work to Headquarters, and it will
doubtless be laid before Congress. Commissioners, if appointed to
investigate the matter, would probably have their notions of the
character, ability, and prospects of the "Universal Nigger" much
revised, with additions and corrections, before their investigations
were completed. You at the North know nothing about niggers, nothing
at all. When more is known of their powers and capacity and character
more attention will be paid to the cultivation of free black labor.
The next letter again focuses attention on the white
population.