TEACHERS OF THE FREED-MEN IN AMERICA. Nor long ago the war news from America was read with feverish interest. The march of armies, with all that followed of carnage and desolation was tracked by millions of readers with the most absorbing attention. The campaigns of Christian philanthropy, though less exciting, we trust will be followed by many with deeper sympathy. The benevolent and thoughtful will not fail to mark what is passing in stations recently the scene of a conflict more costly and destructive than any we have known. RICHMOND. SARAH F. SMILEY says: "It is now (December, 1865) eight weeks since I first broke ground in this new and vast field. On my arrival, every thing looked disheartening: I saw many difficulties, heard rumours of strong opposition to our work, and the Bureau itself could promise little aid while all around was a struggling mass of suffering humanity. "To secure a house was the first point, and aided by a gracious providence we are now enjoying one which proves entirely satisfactory; in the precise locality to suit our work and at a rent comparatively moderate. The next point was material for our work, as the absence of stores to work in connection with, involved a change of basis, this has been promised me by the Burean, to make up and return for sale." "While inspecting the Freed-men's Hospital at City Point some weeks since, I walked through the camp where were 1200 blacks. few of whom had work enough, while nearly all needed more clothing. I at once arranged with Captain Clayton, the superintendent there to send two of our number down. As soon as Mary Willets arrived, she and Flora Tilton left for this work, on the 28th ult. Captain Clayton kindly supplied them with all I asked for; a room, good fires and straw for a bed-sack, adding himself a guard to wait on them. If fitting out this expedition with baskets of food and bales of cloth caused some little bustle in our own household, it was nothing to the excitement their arrival produced in the camp. They were literally besieged for work, and could barely eat and sleep. The women sewed day and night. The Committee report on this movement: One poor creature whose stitches looked very "Our recent visit to Richmond was exceed-bad, said 'Well, the men were so thick round ingly interesting and satisfactory. We found the fire she couldn't get a fair chance at it to every department of our work under the care see.' M. W. and F. T. have been up once for of Sarah F. Smiley and her six assistants, conducted with great energy and efficiency, as well as with the strictest economy. That work, which having its centre at Richmond, now extends throughout the State of Virginia into Tennessee. Our intercourse with the coloured people has tended in nowise to lessen our interest in a race whose patience in tribulation and exertions to sustain themselves, prove them worthy of receiving the priceless boon of freedom. Of 20,000 coloured people now congregated at Richmond, only 400, and these mostly superannuated, are now suppor ted by the government: we saw no negroes lounging in the street, but all seemed busy and happy. They are both willing and desirous to labour, and consequently find many avenues of remunerative industry." Sarah F. Smiley continues: fresh supplies, and will now stay till all are pretty well clothed, probably till the 16th. I have directed them to pack the garments made in barrels, and leave them under Capt. C.'s charge for shipment where you may direct. They also took down the clothing which I found needed in the Hospital there, and distributed it. The great success of this expedition will encourage me to others, and I have plenty of volunteers eager to go. This has been conducted without any increased expense. "In the pressure of so many cares, I have had as yet little intercourse with this people individually, but now and then am cheered by glimpses of their simple faith. Zarvant, Madam,' said an old grey-haired man with a head as fine as Webster's, as I was passing rapidly through a ward. I listened to a touch ing story of one who had suffered stripes for preaching Christ. But his closing words affected me much; and now I can do nothing but lie here with de rheumatism in my knees and de praises of Jesus in my heart.' Again, I was hurrying through a camp in search of a man to head a barrel, when a clear, rich voice caught my ear. There was a poor aunty scrubbing her empty room most vigorously, while with all the energy of her heart she sang 'There's none like Jesus.' "I can feebly express the deepening interest I feel in this great work. Surely we have been remarkably cared-for and prospered. All the southern men with whom I have had dealings have treated me with marked kindness. From our officials also, I have had many favors; Col. Brown has renewed his former kindnesses. Capt. White has rendered my business relations with him really agreeable. Dr. Delamater has obtained for my household a supply of bedding, new and not needed in the Hospital and from the Depot Quartermaster I have been able to obtain, by personal request alone, all the teams I wished for any purpose, which has saved many expensive items. here, trying to help themselves; but the women are behind the men. I am to have them called together on my return from the west, to give them some advice and encouragement, such as I gave in Danville, and which seemed to give them a lift. Many old men and women here, last summer have died. We saw one noble old man, not far from 7 ft. high, in mere rags and bare feet. Our No. 12's looked like baby shoes beside them, but I heard of a pair of No. 19's at the Commissary, which they were very glad to exchange. The old man had had a hard master, and been driven off 'without food enough to cover a pin.' But I never saw such a flash of joy as when I said, But, uncle, you have such a good, kind master now, and such a beautiful home up in heaven.' It was like lightning on a dark sky. 'Oh, Missus, it's that, it's jes that, that's 'stained me all along.' They all seemed so grateful, and we had a happy day indeed. "I went down to the Tennessee River Railway depot this evening, and without any difficulty got another pass for Mary Mead and myself to Bristol, the end of that road, equal to 40 dollars. The superintendent said he "Our family of seven will soon be complete, was very happy to do it. So we shall press and a great work lies before us. I feel very on. We can learn very little here, about the desirous that our intercourse with this long-state of things there; there are no schools oppressed and still-oppressed people should tend to their help in heavenly as well as earthly things for in this respect the field is truly white unto the harvest." LYNCHBURG. "Here at last," writes Sarah F. Smiley, January 4th, 1866. "I had a great dread of coming alone, especially if I went further, so I took Mary Mead, and we arrived here safely last evening, just as the weather cleared beautifully in a glorious sun. set over the Blue Ridge and peaks of Otter. This morning we found Capt. Lacy, who at once sent us in an ambulance to the Barracks, where our boxes had just preceded us. All were as kind as could be, in opening boxes and saving us steps, and we had everyone there pass before us in the store-room except the quite helpless, to whom we carried clothing. There was indeed great destitution. The first barrel which I sent had not yet been given out, and we felt the importance of a woman's The coloured people are doing nobly care. and no missionaries, is all we can learn. Mary Mead is busy boiling our eggs for to-morrow and getting up a commissary for a few days. It is a great help to have such a woman with me. We are both pretty courageous. I have thought often to-day of those noble words of Mary Lyon :-'There is but one thing that I fear, that I shall not know and do all my duty.' I feel anxious to reach first the right places." CHATTANOOGA. The expedition of Sarah F. Smiley and Mary Mead as described in their letters is full of interest; but our space is limited. At Roxville Sarah F. Smiley says: "Col. Henry is doing a great work, surrounded with grea er enmity than any agent. I have even known the poor blacks openly assaulted with clubs in the day-time, (one of them we saw with broken arm and bleeding head); he yet succeeds in keeping his ground. Altogether it was the most hopeful spot I have seen. "We left next morning for Chattanooga, where we heard of great suffering from smallpox. We again obtained tickets; the whole value of passes thus kindly granted to go and return was 126. 60 dollars and I think we might have gone on to New Orleans in the same way. Going down, I stopped at Loudon, and M. M. at Philadelphia. At the former place I found much suffering among about 300 coloured people, mostly "refugees off" from further south, and many of them lone mothers of large families, husbands lost in the army. All these small towns have been neglected by the superintendent of schools. I found about 30 children in a perfectly dark room, taught by a filthy mulatto. It was bitter cold, but she opened the door a crack and stood the children in a streak of light to read. I found in one room two women and nine children in a space less than ten feet square, with typhoid fever in their midst, and children crying for food. I never saw such wretched houses. I looked up the "head men" and had a long talk with them. They agreed to build a school. house, and I promised to see that they had a teacher, so that the other 30 children could go. The mulatto clears over 30 dollars a month. I left money with them to buy meal and a little rice, which the stewards of the church were to give in the most suffering cases. "We found a family of teachers at Chattanooga but they were sorely crippled by the inefficiency of the secretary. In their smallpox hospital there were already 200 cases, and thirty waiting for admission. The clothing asked for long since by the teachers was a great disappointment. In Chattanooga a large college is to be erected for the Blacks on Mission Ridge-another great victory. With all our night travel, and rarely more than one regular meal a day, we both kept perfectly well, finding constant occasion of gratitude for the protection and loving-kindness that seemed to follow all our steps. "We learned much from conversations with planters in the cars. One thing is certain, that the higher classes have no wish to return to the old system." SUFFOLK, VA.-OLIVE ROBERTS says: "Jan. 17, 1866. I am well and in good spirits, and very deeply interested in my school, which now numbers seventy-six. Only think of that! and if my school room was large enough I could have 100. By dispensing with the use of desks I can accommodate the present number, and perhaps a few more, tolerably well. The house is quite comfortable during pleasant weather, and we are hoping to have it made better soon. "The coloured people are intensely interested, and are laying plans I believe to build a church." SAVANNAH.-HARRIET JACOBS says, "Ten thousand four hundred coloured people are in the city. On the plantations on either side thousands more may be counted. These are the plantations given them by Gen. Sherman, to work for themselves three years, paying a certain percentage to the Government. By the order of the President, papers to that effect were given them by Gen. Howard, after the Bureau was organized. Now these people are found fault with for believing the government would help them. All the men that planted rice have done well; I am afraid they will not be allowed to plant again; next week will settle the point on many of the plantations. I hoped before this to have a place for the old people; the work is stopped for the want of shingles. "You spoke of the people dying for want of food; I am sure many have died at the smallpox hospital for the want of attention and nourishment. They are carried five miles in the country, put in tents, without stores, scarce any bedding. More have died from exposure and starvation than from the disease. I have made soup and sent it, but you are not always sure they get it. To-day they are making new arangements, I hope for the better. The people here don't seem to think coloured people should have any rights or wants. One great trouble; it is hard to find shelter for the people. They are not able to put up little shanties, rents are enormous, and there is no confiscated property. "Jan. 9th, 1866. They are turning most of the people from the plantations. It is a pitiful sight to go down to the Bluff where the poor creatures are landed. You will see crowds of them huddled around a few burning sticks, so ragged and filthy they scarce look like human beings. Some of these people are from Florida, some from Alabama, some from the upper country in South Carolina. They were carried to these places that they might be out of the Union army. Some of the river plantations that I visit are sending off all that will not make yearly contracts. The old men and women are not considered. Some of the conditions of these are very unjust. They are not allowed to have a boat or musket. They are not allowed to own a horse, cow, or pig. Many of them already own them, but must sell them if they remain on the plantations. I was on one plantation where the master owns three hundred acres of rice land. He wants to employ thirty hands; make the contract by the year, at ten dollars per month; gives them rations and four dollars a month out of their wages. When the crop is laid by, the master has two-thirds, the labourer has one-third, deducting the pay for the rations. Many of the freed people are leaving this place There was an interesting school here, but it has been broken up." I GEORGIA." SAVANNAH, Feb. 9th, 1866. must tell you about my island poor: they have increased in numbers, mostly women and children. They are not allowed to plant, and are expecting every day to be driven off. These are the poor creatures from the interior of South Carolina; they did not know they were free last month. When I asked some of them why they left the country and came to the city where it is so hard to get work, they said 'Massa neber tell us freedom come till New Year day, then he say you may stay and work as you hab done; I want to hab no hired free nigger around me; den we lef go to de Yankee quarters to ax bout our free time; he tell us dat we had Linkum freedom long afore dis time; dey send us to Hilton Head, and say we must go to Georgia and work for de Buckras, and dey see us paid.' "One old woman making a low curtsey said 'We hear miss ob de kind tings you hab sent to de poor; we come to beg for any ting you can spare.' The sight of warm under-clothing such as she had never owned, and a new dress, made the old woman so happy; after repeated thanks, she said, 'If you'll pray for yourself, I will ax de Massa to bless you here and sabe you to glory.'" FORTRESS MONROE.-Nellie L Bensou writes, "Jan. 20, 1866. This month I began my labors as missionary in earnest, visiting the suffering, and giving them tickets for bedding and cloth. ing. Our supply was soon exhausted, and I hardly know how to tell you of the distress I am daily obliged to witness, with no power to relieve it. I go into a cabin and find a woman with four or five little ones, who have been crying all night with the cold. They have no wood for a fire, and very little clothing. There are many such instances. The people do all the work they can find to do, but at present prices can hardly feed themselves. In one cabin I found a woman with an infant of four weeks. The child had never been dressed, for the mother had no clothes for it. She wrapped it in an old tattered shawl, and when I entered, was cowering with it over the few brands that were burning on the hearth. These were the last of her supply. In cabin after cabin I find the children out of school, because they have neither shoes nor clothing. In one room I found a little girl sick with dropsy, a poor patient little sufferer; she was feverish, and needed something tart, or a little fruit; another little girl, covered with scrofulous sores, wanted some white bread and a loose gown. "We are much in need of sewing materials, for the Industrial school-thread, needles, buttons, tapes, hooks and eyes, scissors, and thimbles. I consider this work an important one, as these people know nothing of cutting or making, or even mending; when we give them a garment a little too loose or too long, it is worn just as it is. "The people have improved since I came, and if they had a fair chance would do well. The abandoned lands are fast passing back into the hands of their former owners, who are not disposed to help their former slaves to take care of themselves. It is a mystery to me how they live at all. Every day makes their prospects worse. Here and there one makes a little money, but a large majority suffer, and must suffer. I go about empty. handed, with only words of counsel and sympathy, till I am sick at heart, and each night I return weary from my five or six miles walk feeling that I have accomplished nothing. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. ber by John Hodgkin, Esq., of Lincoln's Inn, and of Lewes, was penned and in ALL orders and enquiries concerning Adver-type before the melancholy intelligence tisements, or other business connected with this Magazine, are to be addressed to ARLISS ANDREWS, 7, Duke Street, Bloomsbury. of his brother's removal reached our shores. We have no doubt that the cause of the Freed-man, as well as those MR. RIDLEY'S letter received with thanks. It general philanthropic efforts in which is in type, but must stand over. WE shall be happy to hear further from Mr. MR. STEINTHAL and Mr. Joseph Waddington's The Freed-Man. MAY, 1866. "I have observed with satisfaction that the United States, after terminating successfully the severe struggle in which they were so long engaged, are wisely repairing the ravages of DR. THOMAS HODGKIN. Dr. Hodgkin took so large a share, will now have an additional and even a sacred interest for his surviving relative. Our space will not allow of our recording all the services rendered to the Freed-man's cause by our deceased friend. Upon the arrival of Levi Coffin in this country, in June, 1864, it was at the residence of Dr. Hodgkin that the first large and influential meeting was gathered, which gave renewed and increased impetus to the efforts made on behalf of the American freed people in this country. Upon the return of Dr. Fred. Tomkins from his mission in the United States, on behalf of the Freedmen's Aid Society, the report of what he had witnessed amid the negro camps and schools and the coloured troops located in the Southern States was delivered to a large meeting under the presidency of Sir T. F. Buxton, Bart., held at the hospitable residence of Dr. Hodgkin. The time, the wisdom, the influence, the very home of the departed were rendered not only without reluctance, but with a prompt generosity to the claims of humanity and the cause of the Freed-man. As a medical man, By the removal of Dr. Hodgkin, the he oftentimes expressed his care for British and Foreign Freed-men's Aid the health of those who were devoting Society has lost one of its earliest and themselves as he feared too strenuously best friends, and the FREED-MAN one to works of benevolence and freedom. of its most willing and able contributors. His calm judicious mind and admirable It is an interesting fact, that the leading temper, never ruffled in debate, won and valuable article in the present num- not only the confidence but even the It is with deep and heartfelt regret that we refer to the demise of the valued and beloved friend whose name we have placed at the head of this article. Most of our readers have already learned that a telegram dated "Jerusalem, 5th April," has been received in London, announcing the death of Dr. Hodgkin at Jaffa after a severe attack of dysentery. |