"THE FREEDMEN'S RECORD" is published monthly, and is the organ of the NEW-ENGLAND FREEMEN'S AID SOCIETY.

All communications for or relating to the "RECORD" should be addressed to Rev. M. G. KIMBALL, 8, Studio Building, Boston; and must be accompanied by the name and address of the writer.
Terms per annum, $1.00 in advance; single copies, 10 cents.

"THE FREEDMEN'S RECORD."

OUR subscribers, and those familiar with our brief career, will notice our change of title. It was made necessary by the fact, that another journal, published on the same day that ours appeared, had taken the same name. We were satisfied that a change in the name of that paper would involve more inconvenience to its publishers than a similar one in our case; and we appear, therefore, not as the "Freedmen's Journal," but as the "Freedmen's Record." We hope our friends will help us to give our paper a large circulation. It must be self-supporting; and the number printed, if not the continuance of its publication, must depend upon the number of our subscribers.

 

THE FREEDMEN IN WASHINGTON.

CLOSE proximity to a church, according to the old proverb, is not favorable to piety. So nearness to the source of political rule and influence does not imply enjoyment of the best gifts of good government. Nowhere are governmental corruption and neglect so rife as in Washington; nowhere can an experiment, involving human rights and duties, be tried under greater disadvantages. The condition of the freedmen there, though different associations and many volunteer teachers resident in Washington have been active in their behalf, is far from what it should be. There are certain localities there, occupied by the freedmen, which would be very likely to suggest to some visitants the question, Are these people really better off now than they were in Slavery?

Coming, as they do, fresh from slavery; ragged; stripped of everything; many of them sick; few accustomed to any other than agricultural labor; at the mercy of speculators,—the condition of new-comers, especially, is abject and miserable in the extreme. Their dwellings are described as "not so good as good pigsties." Put up at the cost of thirty, twenty, and even ten dollars, they are rented at absurdly enormous prices. Two rooms for a large family are rarities: the majority of these huts or hovels have only one room. No wonder that casual visitors — though the inmates of these dwellings think otherwise — ask, "How much better off are these than they were in slavery?" Some of the children find their way to schools which have been opened under the auspices of different Freedmen's Associations; but the majority are unable to attend. And this brings us to two points which we would earnestly commend to the attention of our readers. Suitable buildings, both for dwellings and schools, are the great urgent want in Washington. Their absence is one of the greatest obstacles now encountered by our Association in their efforts to do their share in elevating and civilizing the colored people of that city. Is there no one of our readers who has a few thousands, or even hundreds, of dollars, which he will be willing to invest in the erection of cheap dwelling-houses, at reasonable rents, for these people? We will undertake to provide a responsible agent, at Washington, who will do his best to carry into effect, in a business-like way, such intentions. School-buildings, costing from eight hundred to a thousand dollars each, are quite as much needed. Those who are not familiar with the present state of Washington will be surprised to learn, that it is impossible to hire rooms for school-purposes; and, until they are built, it will be vain to send more teachers there. We have already been strongly urged by influential friends of the

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cause at Washington to undertake the erection of at least one more school-building, and that of a superior order. Will not some of our readers help us to show, on a field so conspicuous, what a model school after the New-England pattern is?

We have already one school on Capitol Hill, kept by Miss Frances W. Perkins, a thoroughly competent and successful teacher,--the schoolroom a church, whose high-backed seats, to say nothing of other drawbacks, are by no means comfortable. Another teacher--Miss Carter--performs equally valuable service, in visiting among the destitute colored people, and in ministering to their necessities.

THE NEGRO IN WASHINGTON, D, C.

As illustrative in part of what has been said already of Washington, the following extracts from a valued and trustworthy source are appended: —

"Boston is full of associations, and individual men and women, who dispense alms to the poorest of the poor, standing between them and starvation, cold, and death. This charity is recognized as a necessity, and approved and supported by those who have means to spare for this purpose. Here in Washington, where the need is far greater, we have no such associations, hardly any organized benevolence which provides for the physical sufferings of the wretched and helpless. In Boston, the mass of the miserably poor are whites. They are blacks here, where color is only an additional passport to poverty and degradation. They are not clamorous and impertinent beggars, but mostly humble and submissive, willing to work, when able; but, crushed by long years of oppression and ignorance, they cannot, for a time, hold their own, and make headway against the prejudices and obstacles which beset them. They are the prey of extortioners of every kind; and the high prices of the necessaries of subsistence, of which the wealthy complain, impoverish them to the last degree. I speak mainly of mothers with large families, children with no protectors, the sick, the infirm, and the generally helpless, or those only partially able to earn a wretched support for themselves, and those dependent upon them. They must have aid, or they must die for want of it. There are many hundreds such here to-day. Amongst this class, such ministering angels as Miss Carter, and perhaps half a dozen others of her stamp, are doing the work whose value cannot be measured in dollars and cents. How can Miss Carter, or any other woman whose heart is not made of flint-stone, go round to pick up women and children for a sewing-school, when, perhaps, in the first cabin, she would find a baby, born last night, without a blanket or a rag to cover it; in the next, a child dying, when a little warm soup or some other nourishment might have saved its life; in the next, six orphan children, under twelve, who had eaten nothing that day (this case occurred last week), and were next day to be turned out by an inhuman rent-collector, and so on? Sewing-schools and schools for reading, writing, and spelling, are excellent in their time and place; but fingers blue with cold can hardly manage a needle with dexterity, and eyes sunken and vacant with hunger might not be able to see the words in a spelling-book.

These are no fancy sketches, but plain facts.

 

INCIDENTS AT OUR OFFICE.

ONE friend — who, for a third of a century, has, with her pen, instructed the free, and pleaded for the slave; and whose income is about eight hundred dollars per annum — sent to this office, last winter, $200 for the Freedmen. In the spring, the same liberal hand brought $50. In the summer, an engraving of one of Raphael's Madonnas was given to her: its beauty would have gladdened her heart, had she hung it on the wall of her simple home in Middlesex County; but, with characteristic generosity, she brought the gift, so precious to her refined taste, to be sold by the Committee on Teachers, for the benefit of the Freed People. And now, again, the same tireless liberality has sent to us this month another $100. Blessings on the noble woman who gives such unquestionable proofs of her faith that every human being, bond or free, black or white, is equally the child of God!

THE Christmas tree, sparkling with candles and varied gifts, had been the annual delight in a family; and Bessie had been accustomed to look forward to its surprises with pleasant anticipations, and to enjoy the presents sure to be found there ; but this year her young heart had been moved by the impulse to give, rather than to receive: she proposed that, instead of a Christmas tree, her parents should help her and her two young friends, all less than ten years old, to get up a little Fair for the Freed Children, —making it the height of her expectation to realize $100 by the sale of articles.

But such was the zeal enlisted in the cause, and the skill shown in arrangements, that

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$500 was paid into the treasury from this young enterprise; and now the little maidens have the substantial enjoyment of being a Branch-Society of the N. E. F. A. S., with their adopted teacher at Hilton Head; and a goodly sum beside her salary goes far towards building a much-needed school-house on the same island.

Might every Christmas tree bear as blessed fruit!

Two ladies of London, Miss Joanna Horner and Mrs. Henry Lyell, sent by Mrs. M. E. Parkman, a generous donation, specially to be applied to the instruction of Freed Children: it came opportune in time and amount to supply the need of the new school at Mitchelville. The gold which came to the office one day, was the next speeding away to South Carolina, in the welcome form of primer, tablet, slate, &c, fulfilling at once the donors' kind intent.

 

JACOBS (LINDA) SCHOOL, ALEXANDRIA, VA.

MANY of our readers are familiar with a book called "Linda; or, the Autobiography of a Slave Girl." Perhaps few of them know that this slave girl is now one of the most zealous and efficient workers in the Freedmen's cause. Mrs. Harriet Jacobs was sent to Alexandria more than two years ago, by a society of Friends in New York, to look after the Freedmen who were gathered there. Her first winter's service was a very hard one. Small-pox and other diseases made fearful havoc among the people ; and all her energies were exhausted in caring for their physical needs.

She has been unwearied in her labors, in providing orphan children with homes, in nursing the sick, in assisting the able-bodied to find work, and in encouraging all in habits of industry and self-reliance. They have established a school, and sent to the New-England Society for assistance in maintaining it. We offered them a teacher, and sent them Miss Virginia Lawton, a young colored woman of good education and great worth of character (the grand-daughter of one well known to the fashionable circles in Boston, as the administrator of good things at weddings, christenings, parties, and other merry-makings), who has taught there for a year. They have this autumn completed their school-house; and, as the school was too large for Miss Lawton's care, we have sent them also Mr. Banfield, a finely educated young man from New Hampshire, who enters most heartily into the work. The most remarkable feature of Linda's slave life was this: to escape the persecution of a master not cruel, but cruelly kind, she hid in a small loft, under the roof of her grandmother's house, where light and air came only through the chinks in the boards, and where she lay concealed for seven years, within sound both of her children's voices and of her master's threats, before she succeeded in escaping altogether from the town.

No doubt, when she sank to sleep overwearied with the monotony of suffering, visions of hope and joy came through the golden gate of slumber, which snatched her away from her vile den, and gave her strength and courage to endure still longer. But was any dream of the night dearer and sweeter to her than the present reality ? — her people freed, and the school-house, built mainly by her own exertions, named in her honor, and presided over by black and white teachers, working harmoniously together.

And yet, this woman, this lady, — who for years has been treated as a friend in the family of one of our celebrated literary men, and who has won the respect and love of all who have associated with her, — cannot ride in the street-cars at Washington, and is insulted even in a concert-room in Boston, on account of the slight tinge of color in her skin.

We have made great progress; but much yet remains to be done. We add extracts from letters of the teachers of this school.

 

WEST-ROXBURY BRANCH SOCIETY.

THE West-Roxbury Branch Society held their first Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Jan.11.

The Report of the Secretary and Treasurer, Miss Emily Greene, was read. She stated that the Society had held regular monthly business meetings, with extra meetings for sewing, as occasion required. The receipts had been $693.33 raised by subscriptions and donations, and $240.50 received from a children's fair; making in all $933.83.

The Society selected Miss Frances W. Perkins, of Washington, as their teacher, paying her a double salary, as she receives neither shelter nor rations from Government: $561.20 has been paid for her support, and for books and other material for her use. Eight boxes and three barrels of clothing, books, &c, have

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been sent to Miss Perkins, and to Camp Stanton in Maryland; and toys and books collected from various families were sent to the children for Christmas gifts.

Mr. J. F. Clarke and Mr. Forbush addressed the meeting; and letters were read from Miss Perkins, and MISS Carter, a fellow-worker with Miss Perkins, from which we make the following extracts; —

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 6,1864.

Our school goes on very much as usual. We do our best to keep our numbers down; but they will mount up in spite of us. We determined this term to take fewer scholars, and limit our attempt to what we thought we really could do well; but, in some way, the children will slip in, almost without our knowing it. I can think now of two children who have gained a place in school by sheer determination. They came day after day, and quietly sat, occasionally venturing into some class-reading from cards, meekly going home, if I sent them, but always re-appearing the next day, until I was fairly conquered, and received them as regular scholars.

Unfortunately for us, one of our boys, who has been in school from the very first, and who, though a thoroughly wicked fellow and very hard to control, is still attached to us and the school, has, within a week, moved into a neighborhood where there were children going to no schools. He instantly began to act as a decoy-duck, and brings a new pupil nearly every day, fur whose reception he pleads in such a manner that I have hitherto been weak-minded enough to yield, though I have made very good resolutions for tomorrow, in case he appears with another. I really cannot help laughing, when he is seen advancing upon us with his train each morning. The experiment of devoting one afternoon each week to sewing has proved thus far very successful.

There is now a prospect of our having a good school-house, which makes us very happy. With proper accommodations, it seems as if I should be able to have all the order and system which I confess myself unable to secure in our present place, where we have no place for bonnets or hats, no space for recitation, benches so high that many children cannot reach the floor with their feet, and the entire business of two schools going on at once in the same room. We have good air, and plenty of light, for which we are thankful; but, in every other respect, we are somewhat badly situated.

However, I would not be understood to complain : I would rather be trying to do the work, if there were twenty times the obstacles and trials in it, which I have experienced.

 

Two boxes containing Christmas gifts and sewing material were sent to Miss Perkins.One arrived in season, the other was delayed. She says: —

Jan 1, 1865.

One, and fortunately the one containing the books and toys, arrived on Friday, just in time for our Christmas tree on Saturday. I wish you and every one who helped to fill the box could have witnessed the great pleasure which all our children had on that day. We were able to have a beautiful great tree, hung with a hundred and fifty bright paper horns of candy, and lighted. Scarcely one of our children bad ever seen such a thing before, and I believe they will never forget it. We had also a present for every child, and at the last moment a basket of apples arrived which sufficed to give to every one; and so we sent them away, overcome with delight and wonder.

When the second box arrived, Miss Perkins says:

Jan. 4, 1865

I found the unlucky pilgrim waiting my return from school. It is wicked to call it unlucky, too, when I consider its contents. What specially touched my heart were the cotton, the calico, and the thread, all of which I know very well are worth almost their weight in gold in these times; and, if we could only have had these things, our Christmas would have been glorious indeed. F. W. PERKINS.

Miss Carter writes, of a box received Dec. 10: —

The dresses for girls were just what many needed. Some otherwise unable to go to school will thus be enabled to attend. The warm suits for boys were just in season. Almost all are already worn by the hitherto ragged. The articles of clothing cutout and basted, as well as the materials, are also very useful for sewing-school work.. . . One hundred and twelve articles were given out. My rule is to give to none but those I have seen at their homes, and told to come. I seek them out and learn their wants at their houses. .. .

A family just from Maryland, having lost every thing on the way here, was reported to me to-day. Their needs can be pretty well supplied, with the exception of furnishing them a bed: I have not had a supply of bed-sacks. Those and blankets are very much needed, as well as a continued supply of warm clothing. Multitudes will suffer during the winter here, unless aided by their Northern friends. They struggle hard to support themselves; but rents are enormously high, and wood, food, and clothing almost equally so. HARRIET CARTER.

P S. —They speak also of the great want of shoes.

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ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMATION AT NEWBERN.
BY AN EYE-WITNESS.

WELL may the colored people of New Berne as elsewhere be jubilant to-day, while signalizing, by appropriate ceremonies, the anniversary of the grandest event in the history of nations ; in the light of which the Declaration of Independence pales into comparative insignificance,— the Proclamation of Emancipation, freeing three million slaves.'

It is a glorious day, — clear, but too cold for the many little bare feet which will follow in the procession, though they break the ice as they walk.

First in this grand procession came the Union Leagues, which, like a gourd in the night, have come up among the colored people here ; then followed the schools, with their various badges and banners, bearing appropriate mottoes, — "Freedom reigns To-day," "Rally round the Flag," &c.; which, together with fine music from the Brigade Band,—the best in the city, — made quite a gay and imposing appearance. From our open windows, we see many flags waving in the breeze, and banners designating the names of the schools. The James School, the Russell School, the Stevenson School, and some seven others were represented. Cheers were given for Capt. James, the teachers, and others, as they passed their residences. Many were looking upon the scene with thrilling emotions and sympathetic rejoicing. What a crowd of recollections it inspires! Would it could be photographed to the life, before the eyes of sceptical Northerners who think the negro incapable of receiving our civilization! What a commentary on the past, and what a prophecy of the future! Could the barbarous laws of North Carolina be enforced, no one could teach these people a letter of the alphabet with impunity; much less put into their possession that key of knowledge which is fast bringing them upon a level with their Saxon oppressors !

This morning, a flag, purchased by the scholars of the Palmer School, was presented by them to the First North Carolina Heavy Artillery (colored). The presentation was very gracefully made by Miss Caroline Green, an interesting young lady of color, with remarks brief, and appropriate to the occasion.

It is a beautiful silken flag, the significance of which to the negro has completely changed since his deliverance from the prison-house of bondage. It is no longer a flaunting lie, but an ensign of freedom and protection wherever its stars and stripes are unfolded to the breeze, — stripes which, according to Campbell, while slavery ruled, meant only "Your negroes' scars."

If such an exhibition of patriotism as this would be considered creditable (as it most assuredly would) to the sons and daughters of the more favored race, how infinitely more does it reflect credit upon these people who have but just emerged from a long night of slavery!

The orations and speeches during the day and evening were all made by colored people; and much of the speaking, in point of native eloquence if not of cultivation, would compare favorably with that of many of our best speakers at the North.

This grand celebration, in design and execution, was wholly the work of colored people; they having completed all their arrangements without need of aid (except pecuniarily) from their white friends. What more convincing evidence do we need of their: ability "to help themselves " ?

Thank God that to-day the year opens in which this terrible revolution, which has wrenched society from its civil moorings, and sacrificed upon the altar of Freedom the best blood of the nation, is likely to terminate with the more than compensating blessings of a true republic, and freedom for all its citizens, of whatever cast or color. Nothing less powerful could have demolished an institution so deeply rooted in the prejudices of ages as that of slavery.

The voice of Justice, caught ever by the finer ear of the nation, though low, and inarticulate to the masses, rising higher and higher through long years in which God vouchsafed the blessings of peace and prosperity, has, at length, through the retributive sufferings of war, been heard and heeded. The signs of the times indicate that it will soon gain sufficient volume to be heard above the roar of cannon and the hoarse beat of the drum, proclaiming "liberty throughout the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof." A. G. New Berne, Jan. 1,1865.

AN aged woman was seen kneeling outside the school-house at Port Royal, "Why don't you go inside, aunty?" said one of the teachers. "Oh, bless you, honey! I'm too old to learn; hut I've got a grandchild in there, and I'm just praising God, outside here, for the chance she's got."

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FROM MARYLAND.

We give below the admirable address to the people of Maryland, put forth by the Baltimore Association for the Improvement of the Colored People; and, while so doing, we cannot refrain from expressing a wish, that that portion of the people of the old Free States, which is still unconvinced that it has any duty in the matter of raising the condition of the black population of our country, may soon come to the same humane and enlightened views : —

BALTIMORE, Dec. 15, 1865.

SIR, — Your attention is called to the Association formed in this city for the Moral and Educational Improvement of the Colored People.

The Address of the Association to the public is hereto appended; and your aid and countenance in furtherance of its charitable object is earnestly requested.

Any amount of money you feel able to contribute may be handed to any member of the Finance Committee, and will aid the Association in their effort to educate the colored people.

 

ROOMS OF THE BALTIMORE ASSOCIATION FOR THE MORAL AND EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE COLORED PEOPLE, ROOM NO. 3, BIBLE HOUSE.

Fellow-Citizens, — Since the adoption of the new constitution, very grave issues are submitted for your consideration.

That instrument, by its benevolent provisions, has added to the eighty thousand free colored people of our State eighty-seven thousand others, recently slaves.

These two classes constitute the greater portion of the labor of the State.

They are likely to remain among us, for they are attached to their homes; and no Government has ever consented to the violent removal of one-fourth of its population.

For the most part, they are ignorant. The habits of their former industry have not been such as to teach them ideas of thrift, carefulness, or providence. Thrown upon their own resources, though their labor is in great demand, they cannot be expected to know the necessity of industry, or how to seek at home permanent occupation and employment.

We are forced to think it the duty of every citizen of Maryland to seek to make this population most useful to the State, as it is the bounden duty of Christian men to seek their moral improvement.

There are but two courses to be pursued. The one is, to leave these persons in the ignorance and moral destitution in which many of them now, unhappily, are; and the other, to endeavor by education to improve their habits, instruct them in their industry, make diligent the idle, reform the vicious, and stimulate the good, that they may rise in the scale of being, and be better fitted for the varied duties they are called on to perform.

The first course may, at first, seem the least troublesome and expensive; but ignorance is the mother of vice, and unless these people are taught their duties to the State, and their more important duty to God, and are not suffered to remain in the helpless state in which slavery has left them, the necessity for almshouses, jails, and penitentiaries, will teach the folly of such economy.

Educated labor produces more than uneducated labor. It is, therefore, the interest of the State that all labor should be instructed.

One of the hopes of the friends of emancipation was, that that measure would induce immigration into the State, raise the price of our lands, give demand for our labor in erecting mills and dwellings, and in manufacturing the various utensils necessary for the increased population of Maryland. But it cannot be expected that any number of the class of emigrants we desire, will leave their homes to dwell in Maryland, if they know they are to be surrounded by an illiterate, ignorant population, whose ignorance and vice are to be daily increased by withholding all instruct:ion in the arts of labor, all educational improvement, and every teaching of morality which would lead them to higher ideas of duty to God and to their neighbor.

To pursue this plan would deprive the State, in the first place, of the productive labor of one hundred and sixty thousand people, and would prevent desirable emigration into her borders, and oppress those of us now residents of the State, with additional taxation to furnish what the expense of education would have entirely prevented.

Perhaps those of the colored people whose circumstances require daily toil for the support of their families can receive but little direct benefit, at their time of life, from any effort now put forth; but we believe the influence of the education of their children will be felt upon the home and the household, that family respect will increase, that thrift and cleanliness will be promoted, and the same beneficent effects which education produces upon other populations will be felt among the colored people.

They have been taxed for a long while for public schools, but have been allowed none. Their present condition, when we consider what has been denied them, and how little means or opportunity they have had for self-improvement, is a standing rebuke to those who think they are incapable of moral or mental culture. They long for opportunity to show how readily

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they become a people no longer degraded by, but useful to, the State.

The Baltimore Association for the Moral and Educational Improvement of the Colored People, intends to do what it can to give them such opportunity. Its members will give their best efforts to this charitable purpose.

Those of our fellow-citizens who feel any interest in a people upon whom their vote has thrust the responsibilities of life, and those in whom Christianity prompts kindness and duty toward these people, are invited to give us their support in such manner as they may think the most useful; that we, if necessary, by private benevolence may do what long since ought to have been done, and we hope soon will be done, by the State; i.e., provide means for the moral and educational improvement of one-fourth of our population.

We annex a list of the officers of the Association: President, Evans Rogers; Vice-President, Archibald Stirling, Thomas Kelso, William J. Albert, Francis T. King, John W. Randolph; Recording Secretary, George A. Pope; Corresponding Secretary, Joseph M. Bushing; Treasurer, Jesse Tyson.

Board of Managers: Rev. F. Israel, Rev. Wm. Bruce, Rev. F. L. Brauns, Rev. T. Stork, D. D., Rev. J. F. W. Ware, Hon. H. L. Bond, Dr. C. C. Cox, Dr. R. W. Pease, Dr. J. C. Thomas, Galloway Cheston, William J. Albert, William Kennedy, Hazlett McKim, G. T. Hopkins, Daniel Holliday, Ashur Clarke, James Carey, Alexander M. Carter, Richard M. Janney, Henry Stockbridge, William Daniel, James Carey Coale, A. Stirling, jun., John A. Needles, John T. Graham, E. Stabler, jun., George B. Cole, Alexander T. Johnson, W. K. Carson, John S. Gilman.

Finance Committee: William J. Albert, Archibald Stirling, sen., F. T. King, John W. Randolph, James Carey, Wash. K. Carson, William Daniel, Edward Stabler, jun, Alexander T. Johnson, George B. Cole.

 

EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER FROM MITCHELL.

HILTON HEAD, S. C., Dec. 25,1864.

MY DEAR FRIEND,— I am happy to learn, through you, that the people of Northampton, who are always first and foremost in every good word and work, do not become weary in welldoing, but still continue to give of their abundance to those who have naught of this world's goods. I was indeed agreeably surprised to hear, that, notwithstanding the liberal contributions they had already made for this school in Mitchell, no sooner were they informed that we were still destitute of some very necessary articles, than hundred dollars more was raised, which was forwarded to us upon the next steamer. . . .

I told the scholars how much you had done for them, asking them if they had any word to send in return for it. One bright boy, Moses by name, instantly replied, "Tell them we thank them very much." Every one responded at once, not only in words, but also in their countenances, which are very expressive in this race, always indicating so plainly every emotion of joy or sorrow. They also wished me to say they would try to be good children. When the parents were assembled in church on Sunday, I stated the facts to them: all of them rose upon their feet, making very low bows; and, with countenances beaming with delight, simultaneously exclaimed, "We tank um very kindly!" One woman, with eyes lifted up to heaven, says, "May de Lord bless um; and, if we neber meet in dis world, may we meet in heaven, where we shall neber part!" Another says, "I am more than tankful; and I pray God may be wid um from de beginnin' to de end, and, at the last day, we may all meet in heaven to praise God for eber! De kindness that dey do, I am not able to give dem tank for; but God will reward um in heaven." Beside, each one came to me separately, to have me send their thanks... My last letter, no doubt, impressed you with the idea that my school was composed of untutored savages; but I am now happy to state, that they are bidding adieu to their wild state, and are rapidly approximating towards civilization. They are so easily governed that I have discarded the rod altogether, some simple punishment being sufficient. They have such a reverence for sacred things, that, upon being told when they do wrong they are disobeying a command of God, is often a sufficient rebuke. We have now a hundred and five scholars on our list, with an average attendance of about fifty. While in the prison-house of slavery, they bad no regular habits; consequently, they do not understand the importance of being punctual in their attendance at school. We have a school for adults three evenings in a week, the church being used for prayer-meetings the rest of the time. They seem to see the necessity of learning to read as rapidly as possible, studying diligently every moment, which renders labors in the evening less fatiguing than during the day. One woman, who only knew the alphabet when she began, now reads very well in the Second Reader." Many could repeat the alphabet, but could not distinguish one letter from another. Little children teach their parents at home: one of our scholars, a boy of twelve years, has taught his mother until she has read through her primer.

I have called upon many at their own homes, where they live with none of the comforts or conveniences of life, yet perfectly happy in the

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thought they are free. Most of their houses have upon the outside a wooden chimney covered with plaster; having a large fireplace in their one room where they cook in iron pots. Some do all their cooking over a fire in the open air. At one house, on a cold day, in the absence of a chimney, the fire was in a large box filled with dirt, in the centre of the room. Their dwellings generally have an air of cleanliness about them: they seem to be very industrious; doing all in their power to maintain their families. Some of the women support themselves by washing and ironing; others, by baking pies and cakes. One woman, by baking, has supported herself and three children, and built a house which cost her six hundred dollars. Some of them cut and make their own clothing, after their fashion, while others cannot sew; but I think all can do their own cooking. They wear no bonnets, simply a bandanna; carrying all their burdens upon their heads, which gives them a very erect carriage. It is not uncommon to see a woman pass along with quite a load of wood on her head; another, with a barrel of flour; &c. They are very poorly and thinly clad, requiring all they can earn to feed their families. Some of the men are employed by Government; others are soldiers in the army, whose families live here. They all have gardens, mostly cultivated by the women, — in which they raise sweet potatoes, peanuts, and various vegetables; always finding & ready market for them.

We find we are to teach by example as well as precept, for they are a very imitative people. If they come into our house, and see every thing in order, they will try to arrange their cabins in the same manner. I have been quite forcibly impressed with this trait in their character, by their appearance upon the sabbath. At first, the children came to Sunday school in the same dresses they wore during the week; but, when they saw their teachers dressed a little better on Sunday, they all came with some change in their apparel, if it was only a clean apron. . . .

I will now state to you a few facts in reference to the freed people in this department. Since our forces have taken possession of these islands, the Government has employed thirty-two hundred Freedmen, to whom they have paid four hundred thousand dollars for their labor. At present, independent of the soldiers, they have in their employ five hundred and seventy-one freed people. Four regiments of colored soldiers have been raised in this vicinity. There are in this village, for the colored people, four hundred and fifty-six houses completed, and twenty-two now in process of erection, with one-third of an acre in each lot. About one-half of the houses have been built at the expense of the Government. The inhabitants are constantly increasing; as we learn, by a recent census, that we have twenty-seven hundred and thirty colored people here, all of whom support themselves, with the exception of about one hundred infirm ones, whom the Government furnish with rations. Your Friend,

E. P. BRECK.

 

THE NEGROES IN ARKANSAS.

Rev. J. L. Herrick, chaplain of 29th Wis. Vols., has, at the request of his commanding officer, Brig.-Gen. Buford, prepared some suggestions on the question, "What is to be done with the colored people?" The document is an admirable one, and we regret that our limits will not allow its insertion in full. We gather from it the following facts: —

"That the enlightened policy of Government, in respect to the freedmen of the Mississippi Valley, has almost entirely failed, through the negligence and unfaithfulness of officials. No particular and persistent effort has been made to cultivate thriftiest and forethought, or to protect the weak, ignorant, and humble, from injustice. No officer having care of the people has visited them at their homes, and, from observation and inquiry made there, become familiar with the state of affairs there; no adequate and efficient means of redress has been afforded; and if injustice has been experienced, hedged in, on the plantation by a necessary system of passes, it has bad to be endured in silence.

"The end of the season approaches. No kind and ever-watchful care has sought to check the gratification of their childish appetites and desires; therefore, they have generally consumed the earnings of the year, and, practically, they are still slaves, though no one is obliged to provide for them when sick or disabled. They are, in a measure, without the benefit of slavery, while still subject to many of its disadvantages. Happily, however, the reverse side of the picture is not so dark. While the laborers on the large plantations have not essentially improved their condition, the colored lessees have much improved theirs. They have been industrious and self-denying; have become more considerate and calculating; have greater self-respect; are desirous of being themselves taught to read and write, and to have their children well educated. About thirty colored people leased land in this vicinity; and all of them have made money. Ten of them have realized thirty-one thousand dollars ($31,000) from their crop. These ten did not have the most land: I mention them only because I know the result of their work.

"All of the colored lessees have made more than a living, and will be ready to begin another year with capital that will enable them to work to

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better advantage than in the past. Besides these successful persons, the town contains many, who, by their industry, economy, and good judgment, have made and saved money. They are traders, mechanics, and laborers; and, if let alone, will compete successfully with any people in the same walks in life. Encouraged by the success of the lessees, a large number of the negroes desire to rent land the coming season. The negroes are here and free. We must try to elevate, and fit them for the duties of citizenship, — give them a fair chance of development, a fair opportunity to educate their children. To accomplish this most quickly, they must be concentrated into communities, in which they are encouraged to work on their own account, and manage their own affairs."

Mr. Herrick closes thus : —

"I would respectfully suggest this plan for your consideration, — let such tracts of land be taken as are easily protected, and hold the land for a certain time, exclusively for leasing to colored people. The land lying between Helena and Old-town on the south, and the tract adjacent to Helena, present just this advantage. This I would take military possession of. I would pay the loyal owners a fair rent for their land, basing the rent on the value of the land and crop in fair seasons before the war; not upon the value it has had temporarily conferred upon it by military protection. To this rental, I would add twenty-five per cent, and assess it upon the whole tract, averaging it pro rata per acre; and this would be the rate for the whole. I would hold the crops subject to the same taxes as this year, and for the same objects; viz., the support of Government, and for a fund for the infirm and needy freed people.

"Rent the land to any law-abiding colored persons, in such quantities as they show they have the means to cultivate; provide that the oversight contemplated this year should be enforced in the future so as to secure the establishment of school, the just treatment of all parties, — employers and employés; enforce the observance of law and the maintenance of good order; and secure that only a fair remuneration should be exacted for staple articles of food and clothing. I would, in every possible way, encourage individual effort and laudable ambition. This plan will encourage all, stimulate to industry, train to virtue, and produce a self-supporting and self-directing people, — a comfort to themselves, and strength to the nation."

It is very clear that the Government has at least one official who understands the difficult question in which all have so strong an interest.

 

NORFOLK, VA. REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

NORFOLK, VA., Dec. 1, 1864.

Maj. HOFFMAN, Assistant Adjutant General-

Major, — In obedience to General Order, No. 30, current series, Headquarters District of Eastern Virginia, we have the honor to submit the following Report of Colored Schools for the month of November, 1864, for the district south of James River.

The deportment of the pupils has been generally good, and their progress in study very encouraging. Some of the most experienced teachers say, that it averages well with that of their pupils in the New-England States.
The irregularity in attendance is a matter of necessity at present, many of the pupils being too poorly clad to venture out on cold days. The teachers are evidently laboring with an earnestness that shows ft love for their work, and the results are apparent to all who visit the school.

Yours respectfully,

W. H. WOODBURY,	}	Committee on Colored Schools
Capt. 0. BROWN A.Q.M.,

 

 

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FROM ST. HELENA, ARK.

FROM an interesting letter from Mr. William F. Allen, at St. Helena, Ark., we make the extracts below: —

"I found the schools in an excellent condition, but inadequate to the number of children who ought to attend school. There are nearly four hundred children in town, between the ages of five and sixteen; and, of these, about two hundred are instructed in our schools. I have a building nearly ready for a third school.

"We have an evening school of over a hundred Scholars, — more than half of them soldiers,— and shall probably have to have another to accommodate another quarter of the town. I could certainly give employment to three or four more teachers, if I had them, if they were willing to work hard and fare hard for reasonable and probably very good compensation. My female teachers come chiefly from the Western Freedmen's Aid Society and the Indiana Yearly Meeting, and I probably have all that I can use engaged. I wish very much that I could have some from New England.

"The Friends are very active in the Valley, and have obtained an extensive field of operations, in which they are doing a great deal of good. Besides the teachers of one of our schools, and the two for whom I have written to Vicksburg, who used to teach here, they support an Orphan Asylum and an Industrial School here, both in excellent hands and well managed. The Asylum contains fifty-eight children. The Industrial School is but just started, and they have some dozen women learning to sew.

"There are about fifteen hundred colored people in Helena; all nominally self-supporting, and most of them really so. They live quite comfortably, dress respectably, and are improving very fast. Such, at least, is the testimony of those who have been here a long time. Of course, there are a great many who are corrupted by their freedom from restraint and by the presence of the soldiers; and there is, no doubt, a great deal of immorality. It is a question, whether much can be done with the men of the present generation, except to keep them comfortable, and restrain them from gross vice: at the same time, there are a great many who are respectable and thrifty, and the schools are doing an excellent work."

Mr. Allen thinks it a good plan to charge a small sum for tuition.

"I put the price at half a dollar; and, where they are orphans cared for by some friend, I ask them to pay what they can afford to; and they usually bring a quarter. Another month I shall average still higher; for I am convinced that it is better for them. Their habit of spending alt they can get for apples, oranges, beads, and ribbons, needs to be counteracted by obliging them to think of something else. I think it a real blessing to get them into the way of paying, where they can, for their tuition."

 

THE FREEDMEN OF GEORGIA.

THE appeal below was published, as soon as it arrived, in most of our city papers.

Good Men and Women of the North: —

We earnestly appeal to you on behalf of the thousands of suffering negroes whom Gen. Sherman has just liberated by his triumphant march through Georgia.

Wherever he has borne our flag, they have hastened to follow it, with simple faith in the truth of the Government and the charity of the nation. They have arrived at the coast after long marches and severe privations, weary, famished, sick, and almost naked. Seven hundred of these wretched people arrived at Beaufort, Christmas night, in a state of misery which would have moved to pity a heart of stone; and these are but the advance of a host no less destitute.

The stores of the Government, already overtaxed to supply a large army, are not available to relieve their wants; and, unless the charity of the North comes speedily to the rescue, they must die by hundreds from exposure and disease.

So extreme and entire is the destitution of this people that nothing which you can afford to give ill come amiss. Clothing is their most pressing need, especially for women and children, who cannot wear the cast-off garments of soldiers. Shoes and stockings, hats, suspenders, and undergarments of all kinds are hardly less necessary in this climate than in the North. Utensils, medicines, money, — any thing you have to spare,— will find its use among this wretched people. The several Freedmen's Aid Societies at the North are proper and sufficient channels for your beneficence. We pray you, for the sake of suffering humanity, let them be speedily and abundantly filled

BEAUFORT, S. C., Jan. 6,1865.

Signed by —
Rufus Saxton, Brigadier General and Military Governor of South Carolina; H. G. Judd, Superintendent of Freedmen George Newcomb, Superintendent of Schools for the N. F. R. Ass. of N. Y.; S. Peck, Pastor of Baptist Church in Beaufort; J. W. Alvord, Sec'y Am. Tract Soc, Boston; Wm. Henry Brisbane, U.S. Tax Commissioner for S. C.; Reuben Tomlinson, Supt. of Freedmen; Samuel L. Harris, Port Chaplain and Army Missionary; Wm. T. Richardson, Mission-

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ary and Supt. of Am. Miss. Ass.; James P. Blake and James H. Crosby, of the New-England Freedmen's Aid Society.

Seven thousand dollars have been received by Rev. John Parkman, No. 8, Studio Building, in answer to this appeal; but they are insufficient to meet the demands of the case. We entreat those who read this to send whatever of money they can afford, to the person and place just mentioned, and stores and packages to Messrs. Wellington, Bre., & Co., 103, Devonshire Street, who kindly act as agents of this Society. "Good men and women of the North," help us to help these destitute creatures, and speedily, too; for, though six thousand of these negroes are probably to be established on Edisto Island (a scheme having been already drawn up for the colony), many will never live to be colonized, unless something is done, and that speedily, to save them from perishing with want.

The Executive Committee
of the New~England Freedmen's Aid Society.

 

THE MEETING IN THE ARLINGTON - STREET CHURCH (DR. GANNETT).

AMONG other measures recently initiated to aid the objects of the New-England Freedmen's Aid Society was the calling of meetings in the different wards of Boston towards that end.

We are glad to chronicle the success of the meeting held last Sunday evening at the Arlington-street Church, under the auspices of a committee of citizens of Ward Nine. The church was well filled. Judge Putnam presided ; and addresses were made by Rev. John Parkman, Edward Atkinson, Judge Russell, and Rev. Dr. Gannett; the latter taking the place of Rev. Dr. Stone, who was unavoidably absent. Dr. Gannett seemed to give the sense of the meeting as, with his wonted energy of utterance, he expressed the opinion, "that to aid the Freedmen was the one great duty of the hour.

When we add, that, within a quarter of an hour after the close of the meeting, more than thirteen hundred dollars were subscribed, and that there is a fair chance of raising several hundred more, through the aid of an efficient Ward Committee nominated at the meeting, we think it is not exaggeration to say, that the meeting was in every respect a success.

We hope to record similar meetings, and like good results, in the other wards of the city.

 

EXTRACTS PROM TEACHERS' LETTERS.

It does one good to see the white children again at school, and having Northern teachers too.

The question has been asked me of late, what I now think of the honesty of this people ? Those we have had in our employ, we have never had occasion to suspect. We gave up the entire charge of our house to them. The temptation was great, for we had boxes of clothing, and books with bright covers. If they had now and then helped themselves, I could not have blamed them, for they have been taught no better. I do not think them more dishonest than any other class would be in like situation.

The friends are doing a great deal for the Freedmen here.

SARAH E. FOSTER.

 

BEAUFORT, Jan 7, 1865

MISS STEVENSON,

DEAR MADAM,—I enclose a joint appeal on behalf of the contrabands in this department, to which I have procured the signatures of most of the prominent friends of the Freedmen here, with the view of having it recognized, wherever it may go, as reliable and authoritative.

I shall send it to all the societies represented by the signers, and ask them to publish it simultaneously in the papers in their vicinity. Please bike steps to bring it before the New-England public as speedily as possible. Mr. Crosby and I are just now busily occupied in assisting the Superintendent of Freedmen, Mr. Judd, in relieving the wants of the refugees, so far as this can be done with the limited means at our disposal. It is Gen. Saxton's request, that we continue so to act for the present; and, unless some more important duty should present itself, we shall probably do so.

As Mr. Crosby has written you, it is in contemplation to colonize Edisto Island, S. C. with the Georgia refugees; and I have drawn up, with the assistance of several experienced persons, a plan of colonization, which is designed to be complete, simple, and admitting of progressive development, in place of the chaotic and confused regulations now existing on the subject of Freedmen. Should this plan be adopted, I think I can do more good in aiding to organize the colony under it, than by any labor within the walls of a school-room. I am convinced, that the most important, and, perhaps also, the most effectual part of the education of the blacks is not likely to be derived so much from books, during the earlier stages of their civilization, as from examples and precepts of thrift, industry, and decency in the common acts of life, derived from the whites with whom they are associated in personal and business relations.

Yours very truly,

JAMES P. BLAKE.

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P. S. — Sherman's army is now passing through here. As soon as they leave breathing-room in Savannah, I shall go there, and send you a report of the people there. J. P. B.

 

HILTON HEAD, S. C., Dec. 19.

Miss STEVENSON.

DEAR MADAM, — I have improved every opportunity of visiting the schools for Freedmen on St. Helena and Port-Royal Islands; and am happy to be able to say, that, without exception, they seem to be judiciously conducted, and, considering the circumstances, eminently successful.

The teachers labor under very great disadvantages in the large number of untrained and ignorant children, which, owing to the fewness of teachers, each is obliged to take charge of; in the want of bells, charts, desks, separate recitation-rooms, and nearly all the convenient apparatus of Northern schools; and in the absence of co-operating and refining home-influence. Yet, notwithstanding these and other difficulties, the progress of the pupils is so rapid, their docility so pleasing, and their gratitude so marked and sincere, that I have yet to see a single teacher that regretted coming here, or was discouraged in his labors.

Certain indications, not in themselves, perhaps, very noticeable, show that the two years of freedom and education this people has received, is already bearing fruit in increased intelligence and self-respect on subjects not immediately connected with schools. Thus there is said to be very much more regard than formerly for the sacred-ness of marriage, and the rights of property; the children are becoming more neat and cleanly in their persons; and I have seen them, when requested to sing some of their grotesque hymns, which were great favorites in slave-times, bide their heads while singing, and seem heartily ashamed of them.

Perhaps the most marked characteristic of the blacks, in distinction from the poor and ignorant of other races I have chanced to observe, is their religious susceptibility. All their songs are religious, or, at least, are filled with expressions borrowed from the Bible or the camp-meeting. Coming over from St. Helena yesterday, in a row-boat with about twenty of them, they were singing all the way strange responsive chants or melodies, of which the women would sing the burden, and the stout oarsmen every once in a while burst out with the refrain, "An I heard from Heaben to-day." These songs, much to my surprise, were all cheerful in their tendency, and all in the major key. I had read much of the plaintive airs of the slaves; but have not heard one since I came among them. There seems to be no room for sorrow in their hearts, now that they are free; nothing but gratitude to God for their great deliverance. Not but that they have their vices, and these the very ones with which the white man has the least patience. Lying and cheating seem the incorrigible sins of the negro. The most earnestly religious are frequently guilty of them. Yet no candid observer calls them hypocrites. They are rather babes and sucklings, whose character has not been ripened into consistency and self-reliance by the light of a free and Christian civilization. They have been taught to imitate and extenuate all the crimes of the master, because he was their superior, and to excuse all their own, because they were his inferior, — "nuffin but a nigger noways,"— what wonder that their degraded and brutal habits cling tightly to them still, and what true-hearted man would not regard them with charity?

Ever since their emancipation, the good influences of schools and a pure gospel have been, in a measure, counteracted by the evil influences and example of some of the whiten from the North. I grieve to say, that even New England has representatives here, in the army, and among the citizens, whose presence is the occasion of impurity and corruption.

Were it not for the counter-agency of schools and churches, which the liberality of the North has sent hither, the advent of the "Yankee" army among them might have proved a curse, rather than a blessing.
With great respect, I remain,

Yours very truly,

JAMES P. BLAKE.

 

 

NEWBERN SCHOOLS.

AT Newbern, the teachers report regularly once a month to Chaplain James, the Superintendent of Blacks. A printed form is furnished to each teacher, with various questions, which arc distinctly answered in writing. This method affords us many valuable statistics. One of the questions is, "Do the mulattoes show any more capacity than the blacks?" Almost without exception this inquiry is answered in the negative. Once or twice the answer has been, that they show less capacity ; occasionally that they show more; but most frequently that the teacher perceives little or no difference.

We append a few extracts from the reports for December: —

I began school on the morning of Nov. 29. I say "began," because the scholars assembled en masse, as soon as they learned "Miss Pearce" had come. It was a joyous day to them, for the vacation had been all too long. My time this morning was mostly taken in receiving greetings from scholars, and the people in camp; also in listening

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to their stories, as they told how "it 'pears like the school-missus never would come back;" how they had dreamed of her, and prayed to the " blessed Lord" to fetch her back once more: they knew their prayers brought her, for they had known them to be answered, " heap sight times."

S. M. PEARSON, Russell School

 

One day I left my brother to take charge of my school, for the purpose of visiting some of my people. They expressed great delight when they saw me, and welcomed me into their poor little huts; many of them living, cooking, eating, and sleeping, in one room. One old colored woman, after telling me of her suffering and many wants, raised both hands towards heaven, saying, "Honey, I am telling you God's truth. I would not tell a lie for no man, woman, or child; for a lie would cost me my soul: and I am now talking before the living Jesus."It certainly does my soul good to hear them talk, for every word they utter comes from the fulness of their hearts. Every day spent in my school or with my people fills my heart with gratitude that I am permitted to be here to labor with this poor, down-trodden race.

ESTHER C. WARREN, Lincoln School

 

The number belonging, and the average attendance in my school during the past month, have been less than they were prior to the vacation, though as many attend as can be conveniently accommodated in the room.

Such as were miserably poor previous to the sickly season, would, but for government aid, have been brought to the verge of starvation; and many are unable to attend school, for lack of the rags in which scores of those who come are clothed.

Among the most interesting of the new scholars who have taken their places, is a woman about twenty-five years of age, who was a slave not far from Newbern; and who made her way here as soon as she could, after the place came into possession of the Union forces. Not supposing she had any knowledge of letters, never having entered a school before, I was surprised to hear her read in "The Freedmen's Advocate" and in the Testament, with as much fluency as an average of educated people, and to hear her spell many-syllabled words with facility. Being a house-servant, by dint of contrivance she had managed to steal the key of knowledge from her master's children, though they had been repeatedly reprimanded for teaching her. She says she used to secrete every stray piece of a leaf that she could find, and pore over it by the light of the fire, while sitting on the hearth "in the potato-house." Though she knew little beyond the alphabet when she came to Newbern, by the help of soldiers for whom she washed, she has become a good reader and speller; and is now a very apt scholar in learning to write. If she is able to remain in school a sufficient length of time, she will be pleased to follow a suggestion I have made to her, to address a few Hoes to the Freedmen's Society in Boston, as soon as she can make them legible.

ANNA GARDNER, Stevenson School

 

This school, lately organized for the benefit of the colored Washington refugees, is located in the camp on the south side of the Trent.

The block-house, which has been fitted up for our use, proves to be quite a convenient building. We were very glad to have the field of labor assigned to us, as we knew that the people were very anxious to have their old teachers return; and we felt a great deal of sympathy for them in their present destitute condition. Part of our work will be visiting and distributing clothing among them, of which they are greatly in need.

ANNA P. MERRIAM, The Shaw School.

 

 

EDISTO ISLAND.

THERE is a strong probability, that Edisto Island will be colonized by the negroes released by Gen. Sherman. The following description of the island is from a former highly esteemed teacher in South Carolina. He was born a slaveholder in Louisiana, and his interest in the colored people led him to enter the service of the New-England Freedmen's Association : —

Edisto is the gem of the Sea Islands. It has evidences of more wealth, enterprise, and elegance than can be found on any islands from Charleston harbor to St. Augustin, Ga. The residence of William Seabrook will compare favorably with country residences near Boston. The grounds are large, and laid out with much taste; and its flower-garden, fish-ponds, poultry-houses, turtle-pens, dairy, summer-houses, and out-buildings indicate as much cultivation as wealth. Though this is the handsomest place on the island, most of the others are more or less improved and ornamented, and indicate such refinement as is not seen on other islands. There were fine and large libraries at Seabrook's, Eding's, and Townsand's, and several others. The two first names are largely represented on the island, there being many plantations owned by their different families. The negro-quarters are the best to be found in South Carolina (they being poor enough); and the plantation improvements and buildings are well conditioned. Mr. Townsand was among the first who used ploughs in the cultivation of Sea-Island cotton; and is the only person who used them to any extent. On his plantation will not only be found the brightest of flower-gardens

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and the largest orange-orchard, but the most extensive improvements in barns, stables, negro-houses, and cotton-houses, together with a sawmill and sugar establishment. Much damage has been done to these premises since the beginning of the Rebellion. The soil seems more fertile, and better adapted to cultivation, than that of the islands about Hilton Head and Beaufort; and, for growing vegetables and fruit, it has not its equal. To tell what has been seen of wild blackberries in the fields in the month of Way would be thought an unpardonable exaggeration; while figs, peaches, and other fruits grow to the greatest perfection. There are on this island three or four very good churches of different denominations; and on the beach on Eding's Island, is a village of over fifty houses, — the summer residences of the Edisto planters. The beach is one of the finest in America, is nearly a quarter of a mile wide at low water, and is as hard and smooth as a floor.

There is not so fit a place for a colony of freed people on the whole Atlantic coast as Edisto. It has houses to accommodate many thousands; and land enough upon which many more might settle. There are residences and elegant homes for those who go to care for and teach these poor people; there are churches for sabbath services and weekday schools, besides the little chapels on different plantations, where men and women were taught to obey their masters, and can now serve to teach the children the higher law and the ABC. Edisto is waiting with open arms for freedom and laborers; and fortunate those whose lot it is to settle on it, and develop its resources.

Truly, J. S. DE LA CROIX.

 

IN speaking of Edisto, we cannot forget our friend Barnard. He was the pioneer in the good work on the island, and was the first who left us to give an account of his stewardship to the God of the distressed and down-trodden. He won the admiration of his co-laborers by his zeal, energy, and indomitable industry. He worked, preached, taught, and prayed from early morn till the late hours of the night. The little, the old and the young, far and near, all knew him ; and he will never be forgotten by them. He was loved by his people, and had warm friends among the teachers. Edisto will always know of his works; and his friends will never forget his enthusiasm and cheerful labors in the cause of God and humanity. When he was dying, the negroes surrounded the house by hundreds all night, praying for him.

"WHAT is the meaning of irrational?" asked a teacher of contrabands of one of her pupils. "Why, you know we gets our rations. Well, when we don't get 'em, that means irration."

 

INCIDENTS.

IN March, 1862, when our gallant Twenty-fourth Regiment, under our lamented Stevenson, assisted in the capture of Newbern, the masters fled one way, towards the interior of the State; the slaves the other, fast into our lines. From among them one young boy became attached to an officer of the Twenty-fourth, who, after a time, sent him home to Boston, to be cared for here by the officer's family: he has been well taught, and proves worthy of the care ; and this morning, with a glad face, brings to the office his contribution of $5, from his own earnings, towards the sum needed so sorely at this moment by the thousands, who, following Sherman's march, have arrived, famishing, and almost naked, on the Sea Islands of South Carolina, — not to be paupers there; but, if we lend them a helping-hand at this moment, to raise a grand crop of cotton on Edisto Island, and support themselves meanwhile.

Since writing the first incident, the same open hand has sent to the office $100 for Sherman's Freedmen!

 

CHRISTMAS THEN AND CHRISTMAS NOW.

OUR readers may remember the pathetic letter of Mrs. Mason, of Virginia, to Mrs. Child, in which she describes slaveholders as exerting themselves so much, to prepare Christmas gifts for their favorite servants.

We think the letters from our teachers this month will convince all, that Christmas will not be entirely stripped of its joys, though the doom of freedom has fallen on the "poor negro."

 

NEGROES IDEA OF CHRISTMAS.

NORFOLK, VA., Jan. 2.1865.

I decked my school-room with the cedar and Christmas holly of the Old Dominion, spending precious hours in printing mottoes for it, putting up "red, white, and blue" curtains at the east window, for the ever-loyal sun to look through.

While waiting for the arrival of invited guests, I thought it would be safe to question "the advanced school" in regard to the day. What is Christmas? I asked. A variety of answers were given, but not one correct one. They were "studyin'" the tree, and making mental appropriations of comforters, mittens, Attleboro' jewelry, and confectionery. So, to help them a little I asked, "Whose birthday is Christmas?" Then they shouted, " Gen. Butler's." I was horrified, of course, to detect such ignorance in the advanced school; and now, rest assured, I shall teach them better as fast as possible.

B. L. CANEDY.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

 

SINCE the publication of the first number of our journal, the following donations of clothing have been received by the Clothing Committee, and forwarded to our agents for distribution : —

From a lady of Brookline, 1 parcel.
From Branch Society of Chicopee, 1 barrel.
Clinton, for Pennsylvania Freedmen's Association, 1 box.
Concord, 1 parcel.
Danville, Vt. 1 parcel.
Branch Society, Dorchester, 2 boxes.
Georgetown, 1 parcel. .
Freedmen's Belief Association, Haverhill, 3 boxes.
Branch Society, Hopedale, 1 box. Lebanon, Me., 2 barrels.
A lady of North Billerica, 1 parcel.
A lady of Roxbury, 1 box hospital.
Branch Society, Roxbury, stores, &c.,4 boxes.
Ladies of Rockbottom, 1 barrel. Two ladies of Salem, 3 barrels.
Rev. G. Bullen's Society, South Reading, 3 barrels.
A lady of Somerville, 1 parcel.
Winthrop, Me., 1 barrel.
Warner, N.H.,1 barrel.
West Amesbury, 2 boxes.
Branch Society, West Roxbury, 2 boxes.
Beside many parcels of valuable clothing from friends in Boston, and 3 boxes, 1 barrel, and several parcels from friends whose names are unknown.
Dated 18th

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The Committee have forwarded to Hilton Head, for distribution among the destitute Freedmen sent to the Port-Royal Island by Gen. Sherman, the following goods : —

2 bales blankets, 100 pairs.
8 cases flannels, 2,000 yards.
7 cases shoes, 400 pairs.
60 dozen woollen socks.
Cases and barrels new and second-hand clothing, thread, needles, &c. 5 dozen axes.
50 iron kettles for cooking; purchased with funds contributed for this purpose, with additions from the stock on hand. More will follow.

The Committee are purchasing further supplies, with the funds contributed for the relief of the Freedmen at Port Royal, and expect to ship them direct from Boston early in the month, with such packages of new and second-hand clothing as may be sent to them.

The Committee on Clothing and Supplies.

BRANCH SOCIETIES.

ROXBURY.
Secretary, Miss Anna C. Lowell,
Teachers, Lucy Chase, Norfolk. Esther C. Warren, Newbern. Arthur Sumner, St. Helena Island.

W. ROXBURY.
President, Mrs. Charles W. Dabney.
Secretary, Miss Emily Greene.
Teacher, Frances W. Perkins, Washington.

CHICOPEE.
President, Mrs. John Wells.
Secretary, Miss Sarah Stackpole.
Teacher, Bessy L. Canedy.

WEST NEWTON.
President, Mrs. J. A. Newell.
Secretary, Mrs. Edward Hinckley.
Teacher, Sarah M. Pearson, Newbern.

WOBURN.
President, Mrs. A. G. Carter.
Secretary, Mrs. S. B. Pippy.
Teacher, Anne C. G. Canedy.

DORCHESTER. (BARNARD FREEDMEN'S AID SOCIETY.)
President, Daniel Denny.
Secretary, Mrs, Wm. Pope.
Teachers, Virginia Lawton, Alexandria. Mrs. Pillsbury, Hilton Head. Sarah Clark, Norfolk, Va. Helen M. Ireson, Newbern.

BROOKLINE.
President, Rev. William Samson.
Secretary, Miss Ellen M. Wellman.
Teachers, Ann P. Merriam, Newbern, J. S. Banfleld, Alexandria.

BOSTON YOUNG LADIES.
President, Miss Annette Rogers.
Secretary, Miss Lilian Clark.
Teachers, Louise Fisher, Norfolk.Miss Elizabeth Condon, Newbern.

GREENFIELD AND DEEPFIELD.
President, Mrs. Mary W. Fogg.
Secretary, Mrs. James K. Hosmer.
Teacher, Sarah J. Barnard, Beaufort, died.

AUGUSTA, ME.
Secretary, Miss Eliza Judd.
Teacher, Harriet R. Smith, Norfolk.

NORTHAMPTON.
Secretary, Bliss Mary E. Cochrane.
Teacher, Eliz. P. Breck, Mitchell, S.C.

BEVERLY.
President, Mrs. Samuel D. Herrick.
Secretary, Miss Eliza Choate.
Teacher, Margaret R. Smith, Newbern.

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32

SOMERVILLE.
Teacher, Sarah E. Foster, Norfolk.

LEICESTER.
Teacher, Sarah E. Chase, Norfolk.

GRAFTON.
Teacher, Mary C. Fletcher, Norfolk.

HINGHAM.
Teacher, Anna Gardner, Newbern.

HOPEDALE.
President, E. D. Draper. Secretary, Jerome Wilmarth. Teacher, Sarah P. Liliie, Mitchell.

WHITNEY FAMILY.
Teacher, Elizabeth H. Botume, South Carolina.

OLD CAMBRIDGE.
President, Miss Maria Bowen. Secretary, Miss Sarah Ropes. Teacher, Harriet Carter, Washington, D. C.

MAYHEW SOCIETY IN BOSTON.
President, Mrs. Charles G. Loring. Secretary, Miss Horatia Ware. Teacher, Esther H. Hawkes, Jacksonville, Fla. Emma V. Brown, Washington.

PLYMOUTH.
President, Rev. Edward H. Hall. Secretary, Miss Mary E. Kendall. Teachers, Martha H. Chase, Norfolk, Va.

HAVERHILL.
President, Mrs. W. H. Hewes. Secretary, Mrs. K. C. Howe. Teacher, Angelina Ball, Norfolk.

BESSIE LEHSIANN'S SOCIETY.
Teacher, Jane Cooley, Hilton Head, S.C.

BILLERICA.
President, Dr. Frank Bundy. Secretary, Miss Anne R. Faulkner. Teacher, Elizabeth A. Ball, Norfolk.

OTHER TEACHERS
William H. Alden .... St. Helena Island.
Ellen M. Lee...... „ „
Harriet Tubman..... Port Royal.
James P. Blake..... „ „
James H. Crosby .... „ „
Amanda S. Rugles. ... St. Helena Island.
George A. Warren .... Newborn.
Ellen B. Haven..... Norfolk.
Mary A. Yenter..... „
Anne R. Gordon.....
Frances E. Ellis..... Newbern.

 

NEW ENGLAND FREEDMEN'S AID SOCIETY.
Organized in Boston, Feb. 7, 1862.

 

OFFICERS.

President, His Excellency JOHN A. ANDREW.
Vice-Presidents. Rev. JACOB M. MANNING. Rev. B. N. KIRK, D.D.
Rev. J. W. PARKER D.D. Rev. J. F. CLARKE, D. D. Hon. JACOB SLEEPER.
EDWARD L. PIERCE, Esq. Rev. W. S. STUDLEY. GEORGE B. EMERSON, Esq. Rev. CHAS. P. BARNARD. Rev. R. C. WATERSTON. Dr. ROBERT W. HOOPER. Prof. WILLIAM B. ROGERS. Rev. W. HAGUE, D. D.
Treasurer. WILLIAM ENDICOTT, Jun., No. 33 Summer Street
Recording Secretary. EDWARD ATKINSON, NO. 40 State Street.
Corresponding Secretary. MARSHALL G. KIMDALL, NO. 8 Studio Building.

 

Committee on Teachers.

Rev. JOHN PARKMAN . . . 8 Park Square
Miss H. E. STEVENSON...8 Studio Building, Sec'y.
LORING LOTHROP . . . . . 43 Pinckney Street.
Mrs. EDNAH AH D. CHENEY . . Jamaica Plain.
Mrs.. CHA RLES R. LOWELL . . Cambridge.
Mrs. JAM ES HAUGHTON . . Boston.
Rev. CHARLES LOWE . . . Somerville.

Committee on Clothing and Supplies.

Mrs. SAMUEL CABOT. . . . No. 11 Park Square.
Mrs. WILLLAM B. ROGERS . . No. 1 Temple Place.
Mrs. J. A. LANE . . . . . No. 623 Tremont Street.
GEORGE S. WINSLOW . . . No. 83 Water Street.
Mrs. ABNER L. MERRILL . . 164 Newton Street

 

Committee on Correspondence.

FRANCIS J. CHILD . . . . Cambridge.
Dr. H. T. , BOWDITCH . . . No. 112 Boylston Street
Dr. SAMUEL CABOT . . . . No. 11 Park Square.
Miss ELL EN JACKSON . . . No. 2 Hamilton Place
JAMES B . THAYER . . . . 80 Court Street.
JONA.. A. , LANE . . . . . 623 Tremont Street

 

Committee on Finance.

EDWARD ATKINSON ... . No. 40 State Street.
MARTIN BRIMMER . . . . No. 48 Beacon Street.
WILLIAM ENDICOTT, Jun. . . No 33 Summer Street.
Mrs. GEO RGE R. RUSSELL. . No. 1 Louis burg Square.
JAMES M. BARNARD . . . No. 97 State Street.
CHARLES R. CODMAN . . . No. 33 School Street.
E. W. KINSLEY. . . . . 37 Franklin Street.

 

Executive Committee.

Rev. JOB N PARKMAN . . . 8 Park Square.
MARSHAL L G. KIMBALL. . . 8 Studio Building.
Prof. F. J. CHILD . . . . Cambridge.
WILLIAM ENDICOTT Jun. . . No. 33 Summer Street.

All supplies for Freedmen should be addressed, "WELLINGTON BRO'S & Co., 103 Devonshire Street, Boston, Mass

For N. E. F. A. Society. From ________"

Each package should contain an invoice of the contents; and a duplicate copy should be sent to: M. G. KIMBALL, 8 Studio Building, Boston, Mass.

Printed by John Wilson and Son.