_Coffin's Point, March 31._ You see I write from my first home. In
truth it seems like a home. Mrs. Philbrick and Miss W., Mr.
Philbrick, and Mr. Hall are here, besides Mr. Folsom--of '62,
Harvard--who is to be my future house-mate. A week ago, after settling
up all business at Captain Oliver's, I resigned my place of Government
Superintendent, and last Friday came down here. To-morrow we shall
take up our quarters at the "Pine Grove." I am going to take charge of
the two William Fripp places. The people are old friends. I used to
teach school for them. I think I shall like the work here much better;
the people are far better and the locality less exposed to outside
influences. It is a much better opportunity for trying the experiment
of free black labor. I manage the places, Mr. Philbrick supplies money
to carry them on, and at the end of the year, after deducting all
expenses, we share the profits, if any.
The draft is either taking or frightening off most of the men, but it
should be made, I think.