Freedmen's Bureau Records: John A. McDonnell to
Orlando Brown, October 10, 1868
Summary:
McDonnell submits yet another quarterly report for the 9th Sub-District. His
assessment of the situation in Augusta County is largely positive, although on a
more general note, he comments that the news of the Bureau's impending cessation
of operation has been met with much regret among the black population. McDonnell
expressed doubts about the ability of the law alone to protect recently bestowed
rights from the influence of local prejudices with means of enforcement.
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
Head Quarters Ninth Sub District
Virginia
Brevet Brigadier General O. Brown
Assistant Commissioner
Richmond Virginia
October 1st 1868
Winchester Virginia
General
In compliance with Circular No. 5 Series of 1867 from your Head Quarters, I have the honor to submit the following report of a tour of Inspection through this Sub District viz:
First Division, comprising Frederick County
1st The General Condition of the Freedpeople in this Division has steadily
advanced, since last report. They have been generally employed at fair wages,
are industrious and prosperous and beside being self-sustaining very many have
purchased small lots of land and built dwellings in which they reside. The
example of the latter class has stimulated others, who are
[page 2]
making
every effort to secure homes for their families. The moral condition of the
race, though improved, is not as satisfactory as could be desired. Many
desertions of husband from wives are reported, and bastardy is still too common.
The indifference with which the public looks upon the latter crime, in white and
colored persons, renders it if not respectable, as no obstacle to future
preferment. Until public opinion undergoes a radical change on this subject, but
little improvement can be looked for. Except in cases of old age or sickness,
but few applications for relief were made [illeg.] the public. As the
winter approaches, herewith and labor becomes scarce, many heads of families,
with the most tireless industry find that the product of the years labors
insufficient to clothe and feed the many helpless children. The
[unclear: compromising] appearance of the corn crop in this county
adds to their fears for the coming winter.
The religious divisions of the people has also made divisions on the school
question. This is very
[page 3]
much to be regretted, and although each
denomination is making arrangements to sustain sectarian schools, still by an
unanimous cooperation a good site for a schoolhouse can be obtained, free of
cost, the title to be vested in a board of trustees, to be used for school
purposes forever, and a school established on such site without sectarian
prejudice could not fail to be much more efficient than the others. The house in
course of erection by the Bethelites, and one contemplated by the Freewill
Baptists will not be in condition to use for School purposes the coming winter
if ever.
2d The disposition of local Magistrates to administer impartial justice is good. Local class prejudices are too strong, however to expect it in jury trials. In almost all cases wealth, influence and race will influence justice against poverty stricken freedmen.
3d
The Register of Marriages is completed, and each of
the four paragraphs of Circular 11 Series 1866, have
been fully and repeatedly read and explained at the several churches, and none
can plead ignorance of the Law. The state
[page 4]
authorities take no action
to prevent lewdness and adultery, and although
cognizant of the existence of both; do not attempt to remedy.
4t The County Authorities provide for indigent freedpeople, as they do for the same class of whites and the means at their disposal are adequate for the purpose. Few freedpeople, however, can be induced to avail themselves of the privilege owing to a superstitious belief that "all who enter the Poorhouse will soon die there."
5t The Supply of Labor was less than the demand during the quarter, while for the coming months it will be largely in excess.
Wages range from $8 to $15 per month, according to quality of help, few however
receive money for labor but are compelled to take Corn, Bacon, Clothing and such
other necessaries as they may require, and are frequently astonished to find
themselves in debt, at the expiration of contracts where they expected to find a
balance in their favor. The total inability of the Freedmen to keep accounts of
time or articles received operates
[page 5]
greatly to their disadvantage in
the settlements of claims for services rendered.
6t No Schools were in session during the quarter. This month closes the vacation and teachers are shortly expected to return.
Efforts are being made to organize schools at Newtown and Middletown, the only places now destitute where a sufficient number of pupils could be found to attend.
Second Division comprising Clarke, Warren and Page Counties.
1st In this division the general
condition of the freedpeople appears to be prosperous No considerable numbers
are congregated at any one place and consequently labor is in acute demand at
fair prices; and all are employed. In consequence of their isolated condition,
and the consequent difficulty in organizing for mutual consent of action, their
advancement socially is slow. The Schools
[page 6]
were presided over by
teachers altogether incompetent for the work, and although the moral effect was
advantageous to the people, the actual progress was exceedingly slow. As at
other sections, the complaints of bastardy are numerous and white men are not
infrequently accused by colored women of being the fathers of their children.
Owing to the constant demand for labor, by very little of any actual suffering
exists at any season in this division. The freedpeople are generally reported as
peaceable industrious and willing to abide the terms of Contracts.
2d Local Magistrates seem disposed to render fair and impartial justice in cases in which freedmen are parties. It cannot be denied however, that the prejudices of juries are against the freedmen and that wealth, influence & the pride of race oppose a powerful bar to the claims of justice.
3d The Register of Marriages is believed to be complete as far as
practicable, in each of the Counties in the division, and each of the four
paragraphs of
[page 7]
The Records, Books and papers at Captain Ripley's
office are in a satisfactory condition, and everywhere throughout the Division,
progression in freedmen's affairs is evident.
Third Division, comprising the Counties of Shenandoah & Rockingham
1st
General Condition- All the freedpeople who are able to
work, are employed at prices varying from $8 to $12 per month. At Harrisonburg
they appear to be in a very prosperous condition, they have erected a good
schoolhouse at an expense of about $600, and during the last term of the school
paid by contribution about $40 per month toward the supply of teachers.
Extraordinary efforts will be made in this Division during the coming winter to
increase the number of schools and it is hoped with success. The very bitter
political prejudice of a large number of the Whites in
[page 8]
is [deleted: ]
[illeg.] made manifest [unclear: whenever] the slightest
opportunity [unclear: presents] is very [unclear: much to be]
regretted. Woodstock, [unclear: Edinburgh] and New Market are noted for
the hostility on the part of their citizens towards men from the North, Officers
of the Government, and to men of [unclear: Union] Republican
[unclear: principles]. Brevet LieutenantColonel
[unclear: Wm. Lynch] 44th
[illeg.]
Infantry recently on duty in the Bureau was [deleted: ] on the [illeg.] of Woodstock by parties [illeg.]
[illeg.]
[illeg.]
[illeg.]
[illeg.] him [illeg.] and [illeg.] the
[unclear: officer] of political [illeg.]
[illeg.] at [illeg.] has [illeg.]
[illeg.]
[illeg.] the [illeg.] of his house and the [illeg.]cut
into [unclear: fragments].
Such outrages have the effect to [unclear: infuriate] the colored
persons. Selina Jackson, a freedgirl having been repeatedly assaulted for giving
evidence against a party of men accused of cutting down and burning a flagpole
in front of the Bureau office at Woodstock and being unable to obtain redress or
protection, was compelled to [unclear: leave] the County to escape
further violence. Since the arrival of Mr. James Agent of the Bureau at
Woodstock, no
[page 9]
reports of abuse have been made, and it is sincerely
hoped such [unclear: censurable] practices will soon cease altogether.
2d It is believed the Magistrates intend to administer fair and impartial justice although complaints have been made that they have not done since the case of Selina Jackson. Perhaps it is fair to presume that they are not prepared to fully oppose strong local prejudices which could not fail to be disastrous to Magistrates engaged in business. It is very doubtful if fair and impartial juries can be found to try cases in which colored men are parties.
3d The Register of Marriages is completed in each County, and each of the four paragraphs are believed to be carried out as far as practicable.
4t The County Authorities provide for the indigent freedpeople as they do for the whites, and their means are ample.
5t The supply of labor is less than the demand but no encouragement can be
given for the introduction of more at this season In the
[page 10]
Spring from
three to four hundred (300 to 400) agricultural hands could find ready
employment at prices before stated.
6t There were no schools in Session during the quarter - Strasburg, Mount Jackson and New Market, in addition to the places at which schools have already been established seem to require schools, and at least fifty (50) pupils at each place would attend, but the people, from indifference and poverty will offer no reliable inducement towards an effort to organize schools at those places.
The interest taken by Mr James in the affairs of this division will it is believed be production of excellent results.
As the freedman's friend, he will labor for their advancement socially, encourage education, and it is hoped bring about a better state of feelings between the race than has heretofore existed.
Fourth Division, comprising Augusta and Highland Counties
1st The General condition of affairs indicate that advancement in intelligence
is gradually being made by the Freedmen. They are generally employed at
reasonable wages, are industrious and show by their deportment that they are
disposed to make themselves [added: a]thrifty,
self-supporting and law abiding population. But little idleness and much less
drunkenness prevails - improvement in that respect being observed. They are
disposed to abide by the conditions of contracts, and the obligations and duties
they sustain to each other in assuming a more substantial aspect. Taking
everything into consideration the condition of Freedmen's affairs, especially in
reference to those matters for which they are responsible, is marked by steady
advancement. They have a lively appreciation of the importance of education and
are generally interested in the question of Schools. Extreme suffering is not
reported nor observed and with
[page 12]
the exception of the Aged, and
decrepid, all appear to be contentedly employed.
2d In cases where a colored person is opposed to a white man the influence of wealth and race are strongly felt by juries and not seldom overpower evidence & facts. The higher courts, I am satisfied do not to any observable extent refuse justice on account of race & color, but the statement of a colored man, as compared with that of a white man does not appear to have the same weight with Judge or Jury.
3d The Registry of Marriages is completed for Augusta County and nearly so for Highland. The difficulty of getting the people to attend to this matter, owing to imperfect communication with those at remote [illeg.] has caused the delay.
Paragraph 1 of Circular 11 Series of 1866 is fully carried out in Augusta and nearly so in Highland County
Paragraph 2d The officers and Agents have fully explained the provisions of the
paragraph in
[page 13]
all the Churches
Par. 3 Clergymen and others are fully congnizant of the provisions of this paragraph - The State Authorities do nothing to prevent adultery or lewdness.
Par. 4 Has been fully explained, and none can plead ignorance of the law. It is believed that but one surname is used.
4t The Overseers of the Poor seem disposed to provide for both races alike, and render to our relief in many cases where parties can do something for their own support. The means to provide for all is ample for the demand.
5t The supply of Labor as in the other divisions is unequal to the demand. All are at work and others could find employment at from $8 to $12 per month.
6t No Schools were open during the Quarter
It is the cause of much regret among the Freedpeople that the operations of the Bureau are to cease on the 1st January next. The prosperity and social advancement which has attended their progress each year is attributable to that protection with which the government has shielded them in their efforts to realize the blessings of freedom.
Without the continuance of that protection they will be as heretofore, defrauded by men who have been accustomed and still do look upon them as their property. The law it is true protects them; but without the means to employ the law with efficacy and too ignorant & unsophisticated to take the proper initiatory steps for their protection they becoming [unclear: disheartened] and hopeless of success abandon their just claims.
When told that the local civil officers are loyal and good men, they reply that
those same local officers were slaveholders before the war, and that although loyal to the government
[page 15]
the same
local prejudices and interests in business will influence them to as great an
extent as if over [illeg.] they naturallyfeel that their only dependence is on the officers who are
entirely independent of local influence, and who they know are their friends,
and they say as they feel, that if with officers who are appointed at
Washington, with no local prejudices whatever they can barely get justice how
can we hope when they are [unclear: rendered] to obtain the slightest
recognition of our rights from those who if no influence was felt would claim us
as their chattels."
That the view they have thus taken is well founded there can be no doubt. The
evident desire to defraud the freedmen of their hard earned due in very many
cases, cannot be disputed. The amounts though
generally small are nevertheless of great consequence 15 destitute families, and
without some officers whose special duty it will be to attend to this class of
[page 16]
complaints, a large sum in the aggregate will be annually lost
to the freedmen.
It is a matter of congratulations to record the marked improvement in the condition of the colored people throughout the whole Sub-district
With industry and economy applications for relief of food and clothing have almost ceased.
The Churches have been filled with well-clad, and orderly congregations, and very many [unclear: p---t] with pleasure and [illeg.] to the little house and lot, which though not all paid for, they call with honest pride their own.
It has been found impracticable to organize temperance societies, still amongst the freedmen drunkenness is rarely to be seen and only in cases of confined [deleted: ] in the larger towns.
The great necessity of the race (as of [illeg.] any) is education (and
cultivation, and tho' unwilling to contribute much material aid to the support
of schools, owing to the fact that little if any assistance has been required of
them heretofore, they fully realize
[page 17]
and appreciate the advantages
which instruction in the elements of education confers upon the fortunate
possessor, and gradually perceive the worth of knowledge for its own sake
independent of the pecuniary advantages its possession confers. The proficiency
of the pupils and the marked attention noticed in many cases on the part of both
parents & teachers is the signal of success, and there can be no doubt
that the feelings of pride in their children and love for them will as in the
case of white people be found a sufficient stimulus for them to exact themselves
as much as possible to send their children (& go themselves to school),
and it is confidently expected that a wide attendance and still more liberal
support on the part of parents will be had by all the schools which may be
[unclear: started] in this sub District this winter.
Respectfully submitted
John A. McDonnell
Sub Assistant Commissioner
