Freedmen's Bureau Records: John W. Jordan to Orlando
Brown, June 30, 1868
Summary:
Jordan remarks that blacks in Augusta County have made enormous strides in
improving their welfare considering the disadvantages arrayed against them. He
believes that they can accomplish much if the obstacles are removed. In that
respect, he concludes his report with the following statement: "the interests of
the Freedmen, the Loyalists and the Federal Government demands the continuance
of the Bureau with enlarged powers and more extended and substantial
authority."
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
Office 4th Division, 9th
Sub-District, Virginia.
Bvt
Brig
Gen.
O. Brown
Asst Comr &c
Richmond,
Va
June 30 th 1868
Staunton, Va.
General
In accordance with the requirements of Circular No VI from HdQrts. Asst Comr &c Richmond Va Jany 29th 1866 I have the honor to submit the following "Report" showing the condition generally of Freedmen's Affairs in the above named Division embracing the Counties of Highland and Augusta.
There is in the matter of demand for labor,
[page 2]
not only lucrative
employment for all those who are disposed to work but I think from the
indications that those who are seeking for good reliable hands have no
difficulty in getting them at fair rates and by giving assurances of prompt
payment for same. I am of opinion that if the Freedmen would take advantage of
their opportunities and secure honorable steady employment at the wages offered
them, and encounter no difficulty in effecting settlements they would be more
successful and cheerful but although as a general thing they are employed at
wages amply adequate to a comfortable support they are treated so ___
[page 3]
shamefully by their employers in the matters of exorbitant charges for Rent
[illeg.]
[unclear: last] time &c that there is really but little
inducement offered them to become an industrious population. I think they
deserve a vast deal of credit for accomplishing what they have, toward becoming a thrifty and self supporting people especially
when we [unclear: consider] the disadvantages under which they labor. It
cannot be expected of any people that they should make any more rapid
advancement then the Freedmen are now making in the South, when they are
surrounded by every influence intended to discourage and dishearten them
especially in their business transactions.
[page 4]
When the same field to
honorable ambitious industrious effort is opened to these people when they feel
that they have full and impartial justice and protection under existing laws I
believe they will take advantage of every opportunity within their reach and so
advance as to convince their old masters even that they are capable of higher
things in the scale of civilization that that of being mere
[unclear: hewers] of wood and drawers of water. They certainly are
becoming with their limited advantages more prominent & industrious and
intelligent and in every respect show the highest appreciation of their moral
and religious training.
[page 5]
The interest taken by this race in every
thing looking to their intellectual advancement certainly demonstrates one fact
viz. that they are convinced that their moral as well as intellectual
advancement constitutes the foundation of their future welfare, and prosperity
and they look upon the Bureau as their only substantial guide, counselor
& friend - guaranteeing protection to those seeking to improve their
educational advantages but in seeming to the aged, infirm as well as the adults
the enjoyment of their rights and privileges.
Owing to the fact that the Schools as a general thing have closed temporarily
during the warm
[page 6]
months I have but little to say concerning them They
were at the termination of the season in good condition, well attended, and well
managed. I earnestly trust that I will be able to report double the numbers at
least of Schools and Scholars before the year closes.
During my experience here I have neither met with nor heard of one single
instance of intemperance among this class. They seem to be entirely free from
this [unclear: use] which in other localities is making such fearful
[unclear: harm] with their means and morals And as far as my
observation has been [deleted: ex]
[page 7]
extended this fact is not attributable to their poverty &c but owing more to avoid the evil so disastrous
to the fortunes & well-being of the whites in this section of the
country.
In conclusion I beg to remark that the interests of the Freedmen, the Loyalists and the Federal Government demands the continuance of the Bureau with enlarged powers and more extended and substantial authority.
I Remain General
Very Respectfully
Your obt
Svt.
Jno W. Jordan
ASA Comr
&c
