Dublin Core
Title
Westend Post Civil War Letters #197
Description
Charlottesville June 5th 1865
Mr Henry Taylor,
My Dear Sir
The meeting held here to-day agreed for themselves, and recommended to others, that all masters shall, as far as practicable, agree with all those who have been their slaves, old and young, able bodied and infirm, that they shall remain at the present homes, until the end of the present year rendering such service as they have heretofore been accustomed to render, and in consideration thereof, receiving their food lodging and clothing medicines and medical attendance, and being otherwise cared for as heretofore.â€
The resolutions then proceed to say “But whereas it is probable that owing to the loss of efficient labor, and to other causes, the foregoing arrangement would operate inequitably as to some, and cannot be made by others , it is further
Resolved that whenever the foregoing arrangement is not entered into, and wages have to be paid, the negroes are to be considered as subject to all the usual expenses of free labourers in supporting and taking care of themselves and families – the masters not being bound to support chargeable negroes without necessary some equivalent in the labor of others.†The resolution then goes on to provide for wages & at the same rate with that fixed by the meeting at Louisa C. H.
I will, if I find and opportunity, send you a copy of the resolutions as soon as they are printed.
After I left you the other day, Dr Churchill Gordon told me that he thought there was among the negroes on your place or Mrs Watson’s a good male cook. If there is such a one, and you do not wish to keep the man in you service, I will be very glad to get him, provided he is a man of good character, and a good cook, and will come for a reasonable price. But if you or Mrs Watson wish to keep him yourselves either as a cook or in any other capacity, of course I will not interfere. Be so kind as to let me hear from you on the subject at you earliest convenience, as I am anxious to have a cook as soon as I can find a suitable one.
With best regards to Mrs Watson & Mrs Taylor in a ____ my wife unites.
I Am Very Truly Yours,
Wm J Robertson
P.S.
In the interview we had with Col Stratton today he confirmed the apprehension I flet (and which I believed expressed to you) that the Military Authorities will require the former owners of chargeable slaves to support them. He said distinctly that such was his purpose in all cases where the owners wer able to do so, even though they had no equivalent in the labour of others without wages – when the chargeable negroes had no father or husband capable of providing for them - I suggested that in such case it seemed to me more proper that the burden of supporting them should be borne by the community – He said perhaps so, but that they would certainly have to be supported by the former masters, if of ability & if the community did not support them and he did not intimate that there was any present purpose to throw the charge upon the community.
Mr Henry Taylor,
My Dear Sir
The meeting held here to-day agreed for themselves, and recommended to others, that all masters shall, as far as practicable, agree with all those who have been their slaves, old and young, able bodied and infirm, that they shall remain at the present homes, until the end of the present year rendering such service as they have heretofore been accustomed to render, and in consideration thereof, receiving their food lodging and clothing medicines and medical attendance, and being otherwise cared for as heretofore.â€
The resolutions then proceed to say “But whereas it is probable that owing to the loss of efficient labor, and to other causes, the foregoing arrangement would operate inequitably as to some, and cannot be made by others , it is further
Resolved that whenever the foregoing arrangement is not entered into, and wages have to be paid, the negroes are to be considered as subject to all the usual expenses of free labourers in supporting and taking care of themselves and families – the masters not being bound to support chargeable negroes without necessary some equivalent in the labor of others.†The resolution then goes on to provide for wages & at the same rate with that fixed by the meeting at Louisa C. H.
I will, if I find and opportunity, send you a copy of the resolutions as soon as they are printed.
After I left you the other day, Dr Churchill Gordon told me that he thought there was among the negroes on your place or Mrs Watson’s a good male cook. If there is such a one, and you do not wish to keep the man in you service, I will be very glad to get him, provided he is a man of good character, and a good cook, and will come for a reasonable price. But if you or Mrs Watson wish to keep him yourselves either as a cook or in any other capacity, of course I will not interfere. Be so kind as to let me hear from you on the subject at you earliest convenience, as I am anxious to have a cook as soon as I can find a suitable one.
With best regards to Mrs Watson & Mrs Taylor in a ____ my wife unites.
I Am Very Truly Yours,
Wm J Robertson
P.S.
In the interview we had with Col Stratton today he confirmed the apprehension I flet (and which I believed expressed to you) that the Military Authorities will require the former owners of chargeable slaves to support them. He said distinctly that such was his purpose in all cases where the owners wer able to do so, even though they had no equivalent in the labour of others without wages – when the chargeable negroes had no father or husband capable of providing for them - I suggested that in such case it seemed to me more proper that the burden of supporting them should be borne by the community – He said perhaps so, but that they would certainly have to be supported by the former masters, if of ability & if the community did not support them and he did not intimate that there was any present purpose to throw the charge upon the community.
Publisher
Louisa County Historical Society
Date
June 5, 1865
Contributor
Westend Family Papers
Rights
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All items in our archives have been donated to The Louisa County Historical Society with express permission to use them only for not-for-profit purposes of education and individual research. We make them available online to further those ends. Anyone wishing to use images online or in printed publications must obtain express written permission to do so from the Louisa County Historical Society and the legal copyright holder. Users assume full responsibility for disputes arising from copyright violations or invasions of privacy.
All items in our archives have been donated to The Louisa County Historical Society with express permission to use them only for not-for-profit purposes of education and individual research. We make them available online to further those ends. Anyone wishing to use images online or in printed publications must obtain express written permission to do so from the Louisa County Historical Society and the legal copyright holder. Users assume full responsibility for disputes arising from copyright violations or invasions of privacy.
Identifier
WE_2012_01_197a, WE_2012_01_197b, WE_2012_01_197c