Freedmen's Bureau Records: John W. Jordan to Orlando
Brown, July 31, 1868
Summary:
In his report, Jordan notes the high demand for labor and the opportunities for
employment for the blacks of Augusta County. He also discusses in some detail
the political attitudes of whites in the county.
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
Office 4th Division, 9th
Sub-District, Virginia.
Brevet
Brigadier
General O. Brown
Assistant Commissioner
etc.
Richmond Virginia
July 31st 1868
Staunton, Virginia
General
In compliance with Circular Number VI from HeadQuarters Assistant Commissioner Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands Richmond Virginia January 29th 1866 I have the honor to submit the following "Report" showing the condition of Freedmen's affairs in my Division at this date.
The Freedmen are generally employed at fair wages and appear to be contented and
have no difficulty in obtaining employment the demand for laborers being far in
excess of the supply and every inducement is offered not only in honorable
steady employment but at fair
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and remunerative wages and I am
grateful to be able to state that close observation on my part has resulted in
the conviction that every colored man in my field of operations who is inclined
to labor is taking advantage of the opportunities offered him and is doing as
well if not better than the laboring class of whites are here.
The policy persisted on by me of having their difficulties adjudicated in my office has had an excellent effect and has in no little degree contributed to the promotion of more kindly feeling between the races.
Intemperance does not prevail to any great extent among this class in fact since
my assignment to duty at this post I have seen but two colored person under the
influence of
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liquor and those were both from the country and happened
here during one of the Circus Exhibitions.
The Schools have all been temporarily closed but it is expected they will be re-opened about the 1st of September
The Crops are turning out splendidly - demonstrating clearly the fact that the Agricultural interests of this portion of the country have been advanced by the change in the labor system.
I am still of the opinion that the necessity for the continuance of the Bureau
still exists and although there are a few men here who under existing circumstances claim to be the colored mans
friend etc. yet I am convinced that much of the
kind feeling cherished toward the race by these people is attributable to the
moral effect of the presence of Government officers
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[unclear: Withdraw] the Bureau which now is the counselor &
protector of the Freedmen and it would not be long before his condition would be
as deplorable, if not more so than when he was in Slavery.
It cannot be successfully concealed that there is still cherished a most bitter
feeling against the colored man on the part of his old masters and as they have
no other means or source through which to vent their spleen against the Federal
Government the presumption naturally arises that
were the old slave owners at liberty to carry out their inclinations the colored
man (in view of the white mans hatred of the Government and the negro) would
have a serious time of it. This is evident from the enthusiasm at the nomination
of
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of Seymour & Blair. Not because of any particular
admiration they have for these candidates or any special love they cherish for
the democratic party but simply & only by reason of the fact that the
Republican party is the friend of the colored race, and the supporter and
defender of the Federal Government. So strong is this
conviction fixed in my mind that I believe the mass of the Southern whites would
indentify themselves with any party or any people if by doing so they could
destroy the Republic and thus accomplish by chicanery or political villainry
what they failed to consummate by the sword.
I am General
Very Respectfully
Your obedient
Servant
John W. Jordan
Assistant Sub Assistant Commissioner
4 Division 9 Sub-District
