Freedmen's Bureau Records: Thomas P. Jackson to
Orlando Brown, January 31, 1868
Summary:
In his report, Jackson comments on the continuing problem of contract negotiation
and disputed wages between employers and laborers. He also worries about
conservative whites' efforts to "defeat the Constitution."
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
Office 4th Division, 9th
Sub-District, Virginia.
Brig
Genl O. Brown
Asst
Comr District of
Va.Richmond (Through HdQrs 9th
Sub Dist
Va)
Jan 31, 1867
Staunton, Va.
General
In compliance with Circular Order No. 6 S. 1866 B.R.F.&A.L. I have the honor to submit the following report of condition of Bureau affairs in the 4th Div. 9th SubDist. Va. which includes the counties of Augusta and Highland.
Numerous calls are daily made at this office by Freedpeople, to obtain settlement of disputed accounts for labor, or to ask aid to compel payment of wages acknowledged to be due. I still find in a majority of these cases, a trivial money balance to the credit of the laborer, or a claim against him for over payment in produce or goods, which it is difficult to refute, by reason of his having no counter account of his own to show.
Few contracts for labor by the year are being made at this office, partly owing
to unwillingness of employers to come to the Bureau, and partly to indisposition
of laborers to make contracts for the year.
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This last is much to be
regretted, and I use all exertion to induce the Freedmen to make permanent
engagements, but in most cases, without success. Wages offered are about as last
year, $8 c $10 per month for good hands, with rations house and fuel. Boys are
little wanted. There have been no special breaches of the peace during this
month, by or against Freedmen on the part of the Whites. In the case of assault
with a hatchet by John [unclear: McNeish] (cold) upon Moses Lowell (cold), McNeish was
fined $1 only by the magistrate and released, but next morning I brought the
case to the notice of the Mayor, and he had McNeish rearrested and held to
answer indictment at March court.
Political matters between white and colored are quiet, but I can report little or
no change of feeling. The conservative organization is active and general, every
preparation being made to defeat the Constitution, no matter what it may be, but
so far no impression has been made upon the masses of colored voters, who see
now quite clearly that the
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success of the conservatives will result
in depriving them of all privileges of freedom. Temperance organizations cannot
it seems be effected, but there is little drunkeness among Freedmen, except in
the country near distilleries or low [unclear: groggers] in town. The
colored churches do not take up the Temperance movement earnestly, if at all,
and until this is done I do not look for much progress in organizing societies.
Both town and county authorities seem to extend impartial relief to the poor Freedpeople, and since the settlement of the question as to who should furnish temporary relief, there is little ground for complaint.
I have the honor to be, General
Your obt servt
Thos
P. Jackson
Asst Sub Asst Comr
