_Coffin's Point, Dec. 31._ How well Grant appears in everything he
writes as well as in everything he does! In the _Weekly Advertiser_
just received by me, I find his report of his recent Southern
tour,[197] and, if I mistake not, he intimates pretty clearly that
General Saxton has not managed his Department judiciously.
Mr. Philbrick has made an effort to sell the most of the plantations.
As yet, however, no purchaser has appeared, and he has now about
concluded to dispose of them as follows: to lease Fuller Place to N.,
R., and W. (the new firm who have purchased the stock on hand in
store), and Cherry Hill[198] to Mr. Waters, to intrust the management
of Homestead to the latter gentleman, and that of Coffin's Point to
Mr. H. for account of E. S. P., and to let Mr. Williams sell the whole
of Corner[199] and Fripp Point to negroes. I have leased Mulberry Hill
to Mr. Waters.
Negroes continue to steal cotton, and we continue to be helpless
against their depredations.
1866--1867--1868
_Mr. Philbrick's sales to the negroes--Persistent
discouragement with the negroes--H. W.'s visit to Coffin's
Point in 1868--Tribute of the negroes to Mr. Philbrick._