This Association originated at a meeting held in the hall of the Cooper Institute, on the 20th February. 1862, in response to an appeal from Gen. SHERMAN and Commodore DUPONT, representing in a General Order, dated the 6th of that month, the helpless condition of the blacks within the vast area occupied by the forces under their command, and calling upon the benevolent and philanthropic of the land for aid.
At that meeting the following gentlemen:

WM. C. BRYANT,
WM. ALLEN BUTLER,
STEPHEN II. TYNG,
GEORGE C. WARD,
CHARLES C. LEIGH,
MANSFIELD FRENCH,
CHARLES GOULD,
JOSEPH B. COLLINS,
FRANCIS G. SHAW,
EDGAR KETCHUM,
JOHN W. EDMONDS,

were appointed to organize an Association, to make a special appeal to the public, to appoint suitable teachers to instruct the Freedmen in industrial and mechanical arts, in the rudiments of education, the principles of Christianity, their accountability to the laws of God and man, their relation to each other i as social beings, and all that might be necessary to render them competent to sustain themselves as members of a civilized society:—

In pursuance of this appointment and of these instructions, the Committee met on the 22nd day of February, 1862, and organized the NATIONAL FREEDMAN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION, declaring its objects to be as above stated, and requesting the co-operation and aid of Societies formed or to be formed in ' other cities, having the like purpose in view.

To attain the end proposed, so far as might be within the reach of the Association, the following plan, with regard to the treatment of the blacks, was adopted:

I. They must be treated as Freemen.

II. As such they must earn their livelihood, as we do, and not be dependent on charity.

III. Their labor must be performed under a well-organized superintendence.

IV. They will receive compensation for their labor, in the shape of daily wages, reserving thereout a sufficient percentage to defray the cost of superintendence.

V. As soon as their labor shall be organized, they will be required to provide their own support.

VI. In the meanwhile, and until their earnings shall provide the means of their support, they will be aided with food, clothing, and shelter, but such supplies shall bo charged to them as advances, to be paid by the receiver, without interest.

VII. They may erect tenements on the land, and occupy them, free of charge, but when they occupy tenements erected or supplied by the Association, they shall pay rent.

VIII. Schools and churches shall be established among them, and the sick be cared for.

IX. No idlers will be allowed among them, but all must work who can.

X. Each one will be encouraged to raise on his own ground such articles of food as his family may require, and be so taught gardening as to raise quantities for the army and navy, and other markets.

XI. To guard against imposition upon their ignorance and inexperience, no stores will be allowed among them except those licensed by the Association.

The usual officers were appointed, also auxiliary Committees, of clergymen and of women, to aid in carrying into effect the objects of the Association, A warehouse for the reception of donations of clothing and other needed supplies was opened first at 320 Broadway, subsequently at 400 Broadway, which is still occupied for that purpose.

An appeal to the public for aid was made through the papers, and to the churches by their pastors. Agents were appointed to solicit donations of clothing, food and money. The National Government granted the privilege of free transportation on Government vessels for supplies sent by the Association, also free passage and subsistence for agents and teachers, and rations for such while in its employ.

Harmony of action was established with the Educational Commission of Boston and the Port Royal Relief Committee of Philadelphia—the principal port of departure being New York—by which this Association was enabled to render them material assistance, and other societies were formed auxiliary to this Association.

During the mouths of March and April seventy-four men and nineteen women were sent to Port Royal as superintendents and teachers, among them several clergymen and physicians. Some went as volunteers, without pay, and contributed from their own means to the work they had undertaken; others at moderate salaries, paid by the Associations of New York and Boston, who respectively selected and commissioned them.

When these first colonists arrived at Port Royal they were met by a vast amount of prejudice and by the opposition of interested persons, who desired to work the land and the laborers for their own benefit. Strong in their good purpose, they persevered in the face of opposition and ridicule, and their perseverance was crowned with success, in spite of the lateness of their arrival—at least six weeks after the proper time to commence planting—in spite of their own newness to the work, their previous want of acquaintance with the habits and requirements of the laborers, and the fact that the plantations had been stripped of fences, agricultural implements, and the animals required for their proper cultivation.

The success of this first year's experiment, while not equalling the hopes of the most sanguine, has been such as greatly to cheer us and to encourage us to perseverance, and to redouble our efforts—indeed it has been as great as could have been expected under the disadvantageous circumstances which have attended it.
Fifteen thousand acres were planted in cotton and other crops, while each family of laborers cultivated, in addition, its own patch of corn and vegetables. Large crops of corn, peas. &c, have been raised, sufficient to feed the laborers until the next harvest. The cotton crop has proved only a partial success, owing to the lateness of the planting, the abandonment, from military necessity, of a large area of land planted, the re-appearance this year of the terribly destructive septennial caterpillar, and the withdrawal from the plantations of most of the able-bodied men for service in the Quartermaster's Department, the hospital, and the Negro brigade.

That this partial failure has not caused, or been attended by, any expense to the National Government, will be seen by the following statement furnished by the U. S. Cotton Agent in this city:

The above disbursements include all expenses incurred in picking, baling, transporting, ginning, storing, and selling the cotton, wages of laborers,sala-

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ries of superintendents, etc., and there is now on hand more than 100,000 pounds of Cotton yet to be sold, which will swell the amount to more than half-a-rnillion of dollars, subject to the draft of the Treasurer of the United States.

The above statement needs no comment and sufficiently disproves the oft-repeated assertion that the Freedmen of South Carolina are a burden upon the Tax-payers of the Nation.

The labor of the teachers has been well rewarded. The eagerness of the blacks, both adults and children, to learn, is all engrossing. They appear to seize every available moment, hurrying from their work to the schools, and are jealous of every diminution of the hours in which they can enjoy what they rightly deem their great privilege. There are over three thousand under instruction at Port Royal and the islands on the coast, many of whom show great proficiency. This report would be too voluminous were extracts given from the letters of teachers, which all concur in testifying to the universal eagerness and aptitude of the freed people.

It is gratifying to be able to state that the presence of refined Christian ladies within the lines of our army has produced a most happy and salutary effect, not only among the blacks, but also among the military, from whom they have uniformly received the most courteous attention, and we regard this as not the least among the benefits derived from the action of our Association.

These ladies do not confine their labors to teaching the blacks to read, they visit them in their cabins, many without chimney, windows or furniture, save a stool, a pot and a few rags called a bed, and in those desolate places teach the long abused and simple occupants the first lessons of cleanliness and domestic economy. Under their instructions soap and white-wash have been freely used.

The Association proposed to furnish one cabin on each plantation, with a window, a small pine table, a tin wash bowl, soap, towels, bed clothes, and a small looking glass, to serve as a model for others, to excite the ambition and increase the wants of all, and for this purpose sent out a number of these articles. Should our means permit, and our plans for the future be carried into effect, we hope to accomplish much in this direction.

When Gen. SAXTON received his appointment as Military Governor of South Carolina and the adjacent territory, the Government assumed the direction of the deserted plantations and the payment of the salaries of the superintendents, thus freeing the Association from a large item of expenditure. We have still in our employ thirty-four female teachers, whose salaries must be provided for, and whose schools must be furnished with books and other necessary articles. More are required, under a late request from Gen. SAXTON, and will shortly enter upon their labors. We hope, before long, to be enabled to send a number of teachers to North Carolina also, to which field we have already appointed two, in accordance with the wish of Rev. M. MEANS, Superintendent of Contrabands there. We endeavor thus to extend the sphere of our operations, so far as the means entrusted to us permit, confident that the work in which we are engaged will produce good results

One paramount object of this Association, as expressed in the resolutions adopted at the initiatory meeting, is to render the freed people who may come within their sphere, so far as possible, sell-reliant, self-supporting members of society, and with this view they wish to discourage the distribution of supplies as free gifts. Unhappily, the time has not yet arrived, when they can fully effect that object. It was hoped that by the commencement of this year, the blacks in the Department of the South would be in a position to support themselves—but the numerous arrivals of refugees who are utterly destitute prevents the realization of that hope. A recent letter from Gen. SAXTON requests supplies of clothing for at least one thousand women and children, and the prospect is that this number will be greatly increased. We therefore appeal anew to those who have means, to furnish of their abundance, assuring them that the necessities are great, almost beyond imagining, and that whatever they entrust to us, will be well applied.

Application has been made to us by Mr. WILDER, Superintendent of the Freedmen in the extensive district near 'Fortress Monroe, and from other places, for seeds and agricultural implements. We have appropriated five hundred dollars for this purpose, and have already forwarded a quantity of seeds to Fernandina, Florida.

In order to increase their usefulness, this Association has under consideration the establishment of a retail store at Beaufort, South Carolina, on the basis of one supported by the Port Royal Relief Committee of Philadelphia at Hilton Head. This latter was commenced at the earnest request of Gen. SAXTON, and has proved a complete success. It is without profit—simply self-supporting. Such goods as the people need are sold to them at prices merely covering cost and expenses, and the purchasers are thus saved from extortion at the hands of unprincipled men. It has been found that one store is not enough, and we have received, through the Philadelphia Committee, a request from their agent that we would establish a second on another island. We have written to Gen. SAXTON on the subject and shortly expect his answer. Should he desire it to be done, we should need a large increase of our means in order to effect any good, and should probably undertake it could we raise the money. When the store should cease to be a necessity, the funds would be employed in the support of teachers and in the kindred work of the Association.

We subjoin a list of the articles of clothing, provisions, &c, forwarded by and through this Association. They have mostly been sent to Port Royal, but some to the District of Columbia, Alexandria, Fortress Monroe, Craney Island, Va., Newbern and Roanoke Island, N. C, and a large amount is now on its way to Cairo, Memphis, Columbus, Ky., and other points out West within the lines of our army. These western goods will be distributed under the direction of JAMES E. YEATMAN, Esq., President of the Western Sanitary Commission, who has kindly consented to see them judiciously distributed.

 

Coats and Jackets 11,179
Vests... 11,553
Pantaloons 8,636
Undergarments (Men's and Boys') 6,481
Dresses 11,953
Undergarments (Women's and Children's) : 12,069
Shawls and Aprons.. 2,752
Sacks 10,942
Bonnets 2.388
Kerchiefs 6 4 ,
Hats and Caps 3,270
Stockings, pairs 3,428
Boots and Shoes, pairs 3,034
sheets and Quilts 544
Pillows and Pillow Cases 183
Cravats and Collars 1,938
Total number of Garments 91,834
Books, Pamphlets and Papers 35,829
Cloth, Delaine, Calico, Muslin, Denim, Drilling, Sheeting, Cotton Jean, Virginia Stripe, &c, in the piece and remnant ends—total 5,395 yds.
Five bales Dry Goods,
two boxes Shoes.

 

PROVISIONS:

MISCELLANEOUS MERCHANDISE.

167 papers Needles, 1 1/2 gross Thimbles, 2doz. Spectacles, 10 cards Scissors, 166 papers Pins, 5 gross Hooks and Eyes, Box Assorted Medicines, 2 bundles of Brooms, Box of Candles, 6 lbs. ", 11 Mattrasses, Bundle of Chairs, Box of Sewing Materials, Box of Seeds, 7 Ploughs,

1 Seed Drill, 3 Hoes, 6 doz. bottles Ink, 80 Slates, 1 gross Penholders, 5 gross Pens, 25 Looking Glasses, 2 Oil Lamps, 2 doz. Wooden Combs, 1 Stove, 25 Wash Bowls, 1 package of Glue, 75 Window Sashes, 25 Tables,

2 doz. Scrubbing Brushes, 100 White-wash Brushes, ? keg Nails, 7 boxes Knobs, 1 Sewing Machine, 90 Spools Thread, 2 lbs. Thread, 37 rolls of Tape, 48 Towels, 9 gross Buttons, 1 box Printed Cards, Alphabets, Lord's Prayer, Ten Commandments. 6 boxes Soap,

 

3.

It is impossible to estimate the money value of the goods forwarded as above. It is manifest that it is very great. The larger portion of the provisions enumerated were sent by the Philadelphia, Committee for their Store —of late they have shipped their supplies direct. The goods not so sent are the contributions of the benevolent throughout the country, either directly to our Depot in Broadway, or through other Associations. The response to our appeals has been most generous, and in no way could such contributions have been better applied.

The cost in money of the operations of the Association during the past year has not been large, as will be seen by the subjoined statement of the Treasurer:—

 

NEW-YORK, Feb. 18th, 1863.

JOS. B. COLLINS, Treasurer.

The Association acknowledge with gratitude the aid received from Auxiliary Societies in New Haven, Conn., Utica, Syracuse, Auburn, Weedsport, Thorn Hill, and other places in New York, Trenton and Raritan in New Jersey, and others in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

 

OFFICERS.

President, S. H. TYNG, D. D., 83 East Sixteenth Street. Corresponding Secretary. EDGAR KETCHUM, 83 Nassau Street. Recording Secretary. GEORGE CABOT WARD, 56 Wall Street. Treasurer, JOSEPH B. COLLINS, 40 Wall Street. Finance Committee. GEORGE CABOT WARD, 56 Wall Street. JOSEPH B. COLLINS, 40 Wall Street.

Home Committee. CHARLES C. LEIGH, 49 Fourth Street, and 400 Broadway. FRANCIS GEORGE SHAW, 111 Broadway. WILLIAM ALLEN BUTLER, 111 Broadway. Foreign Committee, CHARLES GOULD, 2 Hanover Street. MANSFIELD FRENCH, 5 Beck man Street. EDGAR KETCHUM, 83 Nassau Street. Auxiliary Clergymen's Committee. REV. O. B. FROTHINGHAM, Chairman, 112 West Thirty-fourth Street.

REV. GEORGE WHIPPLE,Secretary, 61 John Street. REV. PROF. JOHN W. LINDSAY, 191 West Eighteenth Street. REV, NATHAN BROWN, D. D., 115 Nassau Street. REV. J. R. W. SLOANE, 208 West Twenty-second Street. REV. PROF. HENRY B. SMITH, 34 East Twenty-fifth Street. Auxiliary Women's Committee. MRS. G. T. M. DAVIS, Cor. Secretary, 144 East Seventeenth Street. MISS JULIA F. GOULD, Rec. Secretary, 5 East Twenty-sixth Street. MRS. WM. ALLEN BUTLER, Treasurer, 13 East Twelfth. Street.

C. C. LEIGH, No, 400 Broadway, New York, Depot for the Reception of Commodities.

REV. JOHN DUDLEY, New Haven, Conn., REV. D, C. HAYNE3, 400 Broadway, New York, REV. F. JANES: Utica, N. Y.,

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District Secretaries

 

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PROCLAMATION

FOR A

DAY OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE

I hereby appoint and set apart THURSDAY, THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER, as a day of Public Thanksgiving and Praise; and I earnestly recommend to the Superintendents of Plantations, Teachers and Freedmen in this Department, to abstain on that day from their ordinary business, and assemble in their respective places of worship, and render praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God for the manifold blessings and mercies he has bestowed upon us during the past year; and more especially for the signal success which has attended the great experiment for freedom and the rights of oppressed humanity, inaugurated in the Department of the South. Our work has been crowned with a glorious success. The hand of God has been in it, and we have faith to believe the recording angel has placed the record of it in the Book of Life.

You freed men and women have never before had such cause for thankfulness. Your simple faith has been vindicated. " The Lord has come" to you and has answered your prayers. Your chains are broken. Your days of bondage and mourning are ended, and you are forever free. If you cannot yet see your way clearly in the future; fear not; put your trust in the Lord, and He will vouchsafe, as he did to the Israelites of old, the ''cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night," to guide your footsteps " through the wilderness '' to the promised land.

I therefore advise you all to meet and offer up fitting songs of thanksgiving for all these great mercies which you have received; and, with them, forget not to breathe an earnest prayer for your brethren who are still in bondage.

Given at Beaufort, S. C., this Ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.

R. SAXTON,
Brig. Gen. and Military Governor.

A HAPPY NEW YEAR'S GREETING
TO THE
COLORED PEOPLE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH.

In accordance, as I believe, with the will of our Heavenly Father, and by direction of your great and good friend, whose name you are all familiar with, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States, and Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, on the 1st day of January, 1863, you will be declared "forever free."

When in the course of human events there comes a day which is destined to be an everlasting beacon-light, marking a joyful era in the progress of a nation and the hopes of a people, it seems to bo fitting the occasion that it should not pass unnoticed by those whose hopes it comes to brighten and to bless. Such a day to you is January 1, 1863. I therefore call upon all the colored people in this Department to assemble on that day at the Head Quarters of the 1st Regiment of the South Carolina Volunteers, there to hear the President's Proclamation read, and to indulge in such other manifestations of joy as may be called forth by the occasion. It is your duty to carry this good news to your brethren who are still in slavery. Let all your voices, like merry bells, join loud and clear in the grand chorus of liberty—"We are free," ''We are free,"—until listening, you shall hear its echoes coming back from every cabin in the land,—"We are free." "We are free."

R. SAXTON,
Brig. General and Military Governor.

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