Reconstruction

by Brooks D. Simpson

  “A LYING, LAZY PEOPLE”:

  VIRGINIA, OCTOBER 1865

  Sarah Whittlesey to Andrew Johnson

  Alexandria Oct. 12th. 1865

  President of the United States:

  I respectfully enclose a copy of an order issued by “the Major General commanding this department,” believing from past proclamations, you are not aware of the astounding fact that one of your subordinates defies your authority. Years ago, I met you in the Senate, and subsequently in the State Department; and as a native of my own dear State; as an honorable man, and great head of this people, I come to you, as a child to a father, and ask you, with humble boldness, by all that is good and merciful to help us, or we shall be driven to desperation, by such men as the “General commanding this department.”

  Our town is overrun with negroes, and they are daily coming in by scores—they are a lying, lazy people, in their present ignorant state, who will not work so long as they can steal, be supported by the Government, and protected by Northern men, who treat them cruelly, except where kindness enables them to gratify their hate for Southern white men. They will not engage for service for less than an exorbitant sum, which our people in their poverty, which abolition first and secession second have wrought, are not able to pay; they rent rooms, and run off, between two days to avoid paying for them—they cry “poor white trash” in the streets; carry guns and pistols, and threaten white men at pleasure; and if the white man, in self-defense turns upon his assailant, he is arrested by the military authorities and committed to jail, while the negro is left free. You are a southern man, sir, and well know what is absolutely necessary for a negro—they cannot be left to run wild, and behave decently; we should get along smoothly together, if Northern men, who being “clothed with a little brief authority” are “playing such fantastic tricks before high heaven, as make the angels weep!”, would not interfere with our civil authorities, and trample upon State laws; and that too, against your command! I am a well known loyalist, sir, together with my father and brother, and do not bring to you the complaints of a rebel and prejudiced heart; but I come to you as one who knows our people have been imposed upon, tormented and tortured by Yankee officials, for the last four years, who have professed to be fighting from patriotism, when their sordid small soul is in their pocket, until the word UNION has an unsavory smell to the most faithful Southern heart to the Government. Now that war is ended, and our Southern people are returning to their allegiance—and I assure you, sir, they are more reliable than those who wear the livery of the United States, and steal from its Treasury—shall our State laws be crushed under military heels, and our city authorities driven before military commands? We are in frequent dread of an insurrection among the negroes, they are so ignorant and easily led by those who profess to be their best friends, and if they are permitted to supply themselves with guns and pistols, another and worse war, we believe to be inevitable. The northern men we firmly believe will secretly lead them on to destroy the Southern people, and then openly turn and exterminate them (for in their hearts they hate the race)—and take full possession of the coveted Southland.

  Last Summer, in Connecticut, I heard a Yankee say, who wears the prefix of Rev to his name: “Virginia has got to have her nose put to the grindstone, and then pay for the ­turning”—and “we must give the negroes the right to vote in order to keep the Southern people down.” President Johnson, you are a Southern man; I am a Southern woman, and those remarks burned my brain like livid lightning! I found that was the spirit that prevailed wherever I went, and I did not remain there through the summer, as I contemplated. I left the State in disappointment and disgust. That same Rev. rejoiced at the assassination of President Lincoln because, he said “Andy would hang the rebels”—as you did not, he abused you in my presence. Sir, are such men “to keep the Southern people down,” with the force of a negro’s foot?

  Pardon me for presuming to address you—I do it without the knowledge of any one, believing you will sympathize with a suffering people, and reward their oppressors according to their deeds, when you are appraised of their mischievous tendency. Your position is such that you cannot know all the torments to which our people are subjected by those in authority under you, without private information; and I know you have ever done justly when appealed to by an oppressed and almost despairing people.

  Sarah J.C. Whittlesey

  “THE ONLY TRUE AND LOYAL PEOPLE”:

  SOUTH CAROLINA, OCTOBER 1865

  Edisto Island Freedmen to Andrew Johnson

  Edisto Island S.C. Oct 28th 1865

  To the President of these United States.

  We the freedmen of Edisto Island South Carolina have learned from you through Major General O O Howard commissioner of the Freedmans Bureau, with deep sorrow and painful hearts of the possibility of goverment restoring these lands to the former owners. We are well aware of the many perplexing and trying questions that burden your mind and do therefore pray to god (the preserver of all and who has through our Late and beloved President (Lincoln) proclamation and the war made us A free people) that he may guide you in making your decisions and give you that wisdom that cometh from above to settle these great and Important questions for the best interests of the country and the Colored race. Here is where secession was born and nurtured. Here is where we have toiled nearly all our lives as slaves and were treated like dumb Driven cattle. This is our home, we have made these lands what they are. We were the only true and Loyal people that were found in posession of these lands. We have been always ready to strike for liberty and humanity yea to fight if needs be to preserve this glorious union. Shall not we who are freedman and have been always true to this Union have the same rights as are enjoyed by others? Have we broken any Law of these United States? Have we forfieted our rights of property in Land? If not then! are not our rights as A free people and good citizens of these United States to be considered before the rights of those who were found in rebellion against this good and just Goverment (and now being conquered) come (as they seem) with penitent hearts and beg forgiveness for past offences and also ask if thier lands cannot be restored to them? Are these rebellious spirits to be reinstated in thier possessions and we who have been abused and oppressed for many long years not to be allowed the privilige of purchasing land But be subject to the will of these large Land owners? God fobid. Land monopoly is unjurious to the advancement of the course of freedom, and if Government does not make some provision by which we as freedmen can obtain A Homestead, we have not bettered our condition.

  We have been encouraged by Government to take up these lands in small tracts, receiving certificates of the same. We have thus far taken sixteen thousand (16000) acres of Land here on this Island. We are ready to pay for this land when Government calls for it and now after what has been done will the good and just government take from us all this right and make us subject to the will of those who have cheated and oppressed us for many years? God Forbid!

  We the freedmen of this Island and of the State of South Carolina—Do therefore petition to you as the President of these United States, that some provisions be made by which every colored man can purchase land, and hold it as his own. We wish to have A home if it be but A few acres. Without some provision is made our future is sad to look upon. Yes our situation is dangerous. We therefore look to you in this trying hour as A true friend of the poor and neglected race, for protection and Equal Rights, with the privilege of purchasing A Homestead—A Homestead right here in the heart of South Carolina.

  We pray that God will direct your heart in making such provision for us as freedmen which will tend to unite these states together stronger than ever before. May God bless you in the administration of your duties as the President of these United States is the humble prayer of us all.

  FEAR OF ARMED FREEDMEN:

  TENNESSEE, OCTOBER 1865

  J. A. Williamson to Nathan A. M. Dudley

  Memphis Tenn Oct 30th 1865

  Dear Si
r Learning that you are desirous of obtaining correct information with regard to the Freedmen in their new relation to their former owners & present employers with a view of adopting such measures as shall insure peace tranquility & prosperity—throughout your District, you will permit me to respectfully submit a few facts & suggestions for your consideration—and action if you should deem it necessary. In the neighborhood of the little village of Bellmont in the County of Fayette some twelve miles distant in a North Westerly direction from Sommerville (the County seat)—a large number of negroes have procured arms and are manifesting such a spirit of insubordination & frequently making such threats & demonstrations as are calculated to disturb the peace & tranquility of the community and which may lead to serious results if not speedily checked. I learn through my brother-in-law Mr W. E. Stamback (who is now in charge of the plantation of my late father L P Williamson)—that this is particularly observable upon the farm of the late Dr ­Howell some ten miles from Sommerville upon the road leading from Sommerville to Covington—also upon the farm of Genl Jos Williams—both of which places are at present under the control of superintendents & not owners. Upon the first mentioned place the old gentleman has recently died and the negroes seem to think they have the best right to the premises & are disposed to appropriate them to their use, and the owner of the latter place resides in this city & the negroes are consequently under scarcely any discipline or restraint. The community is impressed with the belief that this unfortunate state of affairs has resulted chiefly from the want of means in the hands of employers of enforcing discipline & order upon the plantations (corporal punishment having been abolished) and the secret agency & influence of bad men who induce the poor ignorant blacks to believe that the annihilition of the whites will put them permanently in possession of their lands & estates. The negro being by nature indolent & improvident—living only for to day & permitting tomorrow to take care of itself—not influenced to any extent by the hope of reward but chiefly moved by the fear of punishment and in view of the fact that corporal punishment has been prohibited we must look about for some other means by which we can exact an amount of labor sufficient to justify the employer in paying him wages and at the same time insure order & discipline upon the premises. To accomplish these most desirable objects I would respectfully suggest Genl— First the disarming of the freedmen in the country as has been done in this city Second the appointment by the sub Agents in the different counties of a police guard of four or five of the most reliable negroes upon every farm, one of whom can be styled Captain This guard not to be armed & recieving their instructions from the agent of the Bureau for the county would meet with no resistance in arresting any negro who might be creating a disturbance upon the place or failing to perform his duty and taking him before the Agt for correction. I learn that this plan is working admirably in Phillips County Arkansas and they have none of those unfortunate & deplorable conflicts between whites & blacks which we are called upon sometimes to regret. I would further suggest the calling of meetings of the freedmen at one or two public places in the Counties & let them be addressed by Government officials & made clearly (& thus authoritatively) to understand their true status—the relation they sustain to their former owners in point of property and the penalties annexed to any violation of the laws—especially in regard to demonstrations of an insurrectionary character. All of which is respectfully submitted by Your obt Svt

  J A Williamson

  P.S. I will merely add that Mr Stamback called with me upon you during his recent visit to this city & found you absent & requested me to place this matter before you— Respectfully &c

  J A W

  CLAIMING THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP:

  SOUTH CAROLINA, NOVEMBER 1865

  Address of the Colored State Convention

  to the People of South Carolina

  FELLOW CITIZENS:—We have assembled as delegates representing the colored people of the State of South Carolina, in the capacity of State Convention, to confer together and to deliberate upon our intellectual, moral, industrial, civil, and political condition as affected by the great changes which have taken place in this State and throughout this whole country, and to devise ways and means which may, through the blessing of God, tend to our improvement, elevation, and progress; fully believing that our cause is one which commends itself to all good men throughout the civilized world; that it is the sacred cause of truth and righteousness; that it particularly appeals to those professing to be governed by that religion which teaches to “do unto all men as you would have them do unto you.”

  These principles we conceive to embody the great duty of man to his fellow man; and, as men, we ask only to be included in a practical application of this principle.

  We feel that the justness of our cause is a sufficient apology for our course at this time. Heretofore we have had no avenues opened to us or our children—we have had no firesides that we could call our own; none of those incentives to work for the development of our minds and the aggrandizement of our race in common with other people. The measures which have been adopted for the development of white men’s children have been denied to us and ours. The laws which have made white men great, have degraded us, because we were colored, and because we were reduced to chattel slavery. But now that we are freemen, now that we have been lifted up by the providence of God to manhood, we have resolved to come forward, and, like MEN, speak and act for ourselves. We fully recognize the truth of the maxim that “God helps those who help themselves.” In making this appeal to you, we adopt the language of the immortal Declaration of Independence, “that all men are created equal,” and that “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” are the right of all; that taxation and representation should go together; that governments are to protect, not to destroy the rights of mankind; that the Constitution of the United States was formed to establish justice, to promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to all the people of this country; that resistance to tyrants is obedience to God—are American principles and maxims; and together they form the constructive elements of the American Government.

  We think we fully comprehend and duly appreciate the principles and measures which compose this platform; and all that we desire or ask for is to be placed in a position that we could conscientiously and legitimately defend, with you, those principles against the surges of despotism to the last drop of our blood. We have not come together in battle array to assume a boastful attitude and to talk loudly of high-sounding principles or unmeaning platforms, nor do we pretend to any great boldness; for we know your wealth and greatness, and our poverty and weakness; and although we feel keenly our wrongs, still we come together, we trust, in a spirit of meekness and of patriotic good-will to all the people of the State. But yet it is some consolation to know (and it inspires us with hope when we reflect) that our cause is not alone the cause of five millions of colored men in this country, but we are intensely alive to the fact that it is also the cause of millions of oppressed men in other “parts of God’s beautiful earth,” who are now struggling to be free in the fullest sense of that word; and God and nature are pledged in its triumph. We are Americans by birth, and we assure you that we are Americans in feeling; and, in spite of all wrongs which we have long and silently endured in this country, we would still exclaim with a full heart, “O America! with all thy faults we love thee still.”

  Breathes there a man with soul so dead

  Who never to himself hath said—

  “This is my own, my native land!”

  Whose heart hath ne’er within him burned

  As home his footsteps he hath turned,

  From wandering in a foreign strand?

  Thus we would address you, not as enemies, but as friends and fellow-countrymen, who desire to dwell among you in peace, and whose destinies are interwoven, and linked with those of the American people, and hence must be fulfilled in this country. As descendants of a race feeble and long oppressed, we migh
t with propriety appeal to a great and magnanimous people like Americans, for special favors and encouragement, on the principle that the strong should aid the weak, the learned should teach the unlearned.