Freedmen's Bureau Records: John N. Opie to Thomas P.
Jackson, September 8, 1867
Summary:
Opie's letter to Jackson describes what he believes to have been a breach of
contract on the part of two freedmen laborers.
Capt. Tho P. Jackson
Staunton,
Va
Important
Capt
Tho P. Jackson
Sept 8th 1867
Your communication concerning Robert Napper (col)
& Richard Vaughn (col) was received late
last evening. On last Thursday I met the above mentioned freedmen on the Valley
Pike & they told me they wanted work. I told them I had about two dozen
stumps I wanted dug up & would give the customary price (ten cents a
stump) or fifty cents a day when they finished the job. They agreed to take the
job at fifty cents a day to be paid when the job was
finished. They commenced work & continued to
work for one day & a half getting all of the stumps [added: up] but about eight which would have taken a little over
a half day. They then came over & told me they would work no longer
& demanded their pay. I told them if they would return & finish
as agreed upon I would willingly settle with them. That they refused to do. Richard Vaughn said he was sick & could
not work whereupon I paid him a part of his wages (65 cents) & told him
when the rest of the work
[page 2]
was done the remainder would be paid. As to
Robert Napper, he gave no reason whatever for not fulfilling his part of the
contract consequently I paid him nothing. Now sir I think you will agree with me
that the said men are not entitled to their pay until they perform the labor
agreed upon. In regards to digging the stumps, which
are old locust & consequently not particularly difficult to get up I
helped myself a great part of the time they were at work & assisted in
getting up at least half of those that were gotten up. I suppose you know
nothing of me. I will refer you to any & every gentleman in Staunton in
regards to my character &c &c. Hoping that you will sustain me
in what I have done
I remain Sir
yrs &c
John N.Opie
