_March 14._ On March 9th the estates were at last offered for sale. On
our island two thirds were bidden in by the Government and I presume
they will remain under the system of superintendence. The other third
was bought by Mr. Philbrick and two or three sutlers. No agents of
Southern owners and no dangerous speculators made their appearance, to
my knowledge. Where any person evinced a desire to buy, the
commissioners, by their bids, forced an offer of one dollar per acre
and let the place go for that price. Several plantations, perhaps one
in five or six, were bidden in for the special purpose of negro
reservations; but in what way they will be offered to the people is
undecided. Indeed, nothing is certain except that the sales have been
made and titles given. I should have bought only two of my places in
any case,--and that for the benefit of the people,--but it happened
that both were among the number reserved. So I own none of the sacred
soil.
In regard to your questions concerning the condition and capabilities
of the blacks, I hardly feel like writing anything at length, my
opinion, as far as it is made up, is so short and decided. Every one
says that these island negroes are more ignorant and degraded than the
great majority of the slaves, and I feel no doubt that, under
conditions of peace, three years would find these people, with but
very few exceptions, a self-respecting, self-supporting population.
Almost everything about them, even to their distrust and occasional
turbulence, has that in it which suggests to me the idea of capacity
and power of development. Their principal vices,--dishonesty,
indolence, unchastity, their dislike of responsibility, and unmanly
willingness to be dependent on others for what their own effort might
bring,--their want of forethought and inability to organize and
combine operations for mutual benefit,--nearly all their mental and
moral weaknesses can be traced naturally and directly to
slavery,--while on the other hand, the fact that at my close view I
cannot make them out to be characteristic traits confirms that opinion
as to their origin. Industry is very certainly the _rule_; there is
much idleness, but apply the spurs of which you think a white man
worthy, and you are sure to obtain earnest and persistent exertion.
Manliness and self-respect are sufficiently strong and common to
excite an expectation of finding them. Instances of plan, contrivance,
forethought are very numerous; you are constantly meeting "smart"
fellows. Their eagerness and aptitude in learning to read surprises
every one. Their memories are usually excellent, their power of
observation pretty keen, and their general intelligence is in most
striking contrast to the idea of chattel and wonderfully harmonizes
with that of man. I am only stating the grounds on which I have hopes
of their development, not trying to describe their characteristics or
the course or limit of that development. The discussion whether they
will ever be equal to the white race in anything seems to me to be
entirely irrelevant to everything. The only question of importance is
whether they can become a moral, self-supporting, and useful part of
our population, and of this I cannot feel the slightest doubt. That
they ever can leave the country I regard as impossible, that they ever
ought to leave it, as ill-advised. That the period of transition will
be one of great difficulty and considerable suffering is certain. The
best heads and hearts in the country will find work in it. As I think
now, I would recommend no gradual system of preparation and training.
Strike the fetters off at a blow and let them jump, or lie down, as
they please, in the first impulse of freedom, and let them at once see
the natural effects of jumping and lying down. Then if the Government
would simply provide or enforce education, and with few laws but very
many eyes would watch over the new relations of laborer and employer,
I should trust that in ten years America would again raise her head
proudly among the nations. But all this supposes that we gain our end
and have the work to do. Till the common head of the people
understands and the common heart of the people feels that this _is_
the work of the war, that Emancipation should be the means, and not
only the best means but the holy _end_ of the war,--I tremble, and
fear neither our strength nor God's help will give us the victory.