Thibodeaux, La., December 16, 1859.
My Dear Sherman:
I received your letter from the city. Had your visit only been a week later I
could have met you, as my confinement is over for the present. My crop was
finished on the 12th, and is by far the most profitable one I have made-giving
me a net profit of $30,000 on an investment of $145,000.
On the first Monday, January second, I intend in Baton Rouge
to enter on the duties of an office to which I am just elected, “Commissioner
of the Board of Public Works,” a new office in this state, but the duties are
old, have been discharged heretofore by swamp land commissioner, engineers,
etc. The new board is to form a bureau for the general supervision and control
of all state work, to appoint all officers and agents, etc. The duties are
heavy, expenditures large (over $1,000,000 a year) and the patronage extensive.
Peculations, frauds, swindling and ignorance all combined to
render the previous system obnoxious, and I am told the new law was intended to
clear off the whole debris, that a new state of affairs might be inaugurated. I
did not and do not wish the office, as it gives no prominence and little
compensation, but friends, principally Richard Taylor, son of the old general,
pressed me to accept a nomination, as they could find no other man whose name
could defeat the rogues. Under this pressure I gave up my privacy, and shall
strive to inaugurate an honest administration of affairs.
If I do no more I shall at least deserve the thanks and
probably receive the maledictions of many who do not or will not understand the
merits of my conduct. How long the duties will retain me in Baton Rouge on my
first visit I can not foresee; but long enough I hope, to see many members of
the legislature. I believe I have some influence with R. Taylor,1
the senator from this district, and I will try to intrest him in the Seminary.
He is a very plain, straightforward man, of great independence, candid, honest
and clearheaded. Whatever he promises we may rely on, as he has great
influence. I have but few others to look to as acquaintances now, except the
senator from Terrebonne, F. S. Goode, who is like Taylor, and with whom I shall
intercede. The representatives from this parish are very poor sticks and
unreliable.
We must try and secure an additional allowance or an
appropriation to pay for the sixteen state cadets. I clearly see that you will
need funds very soon, unless this can be done, for the people of the country
are not yet sufficiently aware of the institution and its plan, etc., to
patronize it beyond your suggestion. In time I have no doubt, if we can sustain
it in its infancy, it will become popular and self-supporting. In the meantime,
we must try to harmonize conflicting interests and opinions.
We all aim at the same great end — to furnish the most
suitable and most useful education to the rising young men of our state. High
literary institutions are growing up around us in every direction, but in the
scientific and military we are sadly deficient. No class of people on the face
of the earth are more dependent on science and discipline for success than the
southern planters. Scan the whole area of our state and see what proportion of
its capital and labor is devoted to science. See our levees, canals, for
navigation and drainage; our steamers, our foundries, and last, our plantation
machinery. Then apply this science to our soils, and see our woful deficiency
and waste in our want of system in cultivation. The very plantation is a small
military establishment, or it ought to be. By military I don't mean the old
fogy notion of white belts, stiff leather stocks and “palms of the hands to the
front,” but discipline, by which we secure system, regularity, method, economy
of time, labor and material.
This all tends to secure better health, more labor and less
exertion, and with infinitely less punishment, more comfort and happiness to
the laborer, and more profit and pleasure to the master. The other
consideration weighs no little with me. We have a large class of our population
in subordination, just and necessary. Where do we find the fewest mutinies,
revolts and rebellions? In the best disciplined commands. Human nature is the
same throughout the world. Give us all disciplined masters, managers, and
assistants, and we shall never hear of insurrection — unless as an exception —
to be suppressed instanter without appeal to foreign aid.
As I shall not have time now to write General Graham, you
can show him the foregoing. No consideration can overcome my preference for a
military school, but I am open to policy in the course necessary to obtain it.
For the present your course is plain, it seems to me. You are an agent selected
to carry out the views of others. Your opinion might be expressed as a candid
man, but your action should be confined to carrying out the system laid down
for your government. When called upon for your views, give them freely. At all
other times execute faithfully what is laid down for you. But this is advice I
need not give you as from your letters it is the sensible view you have taken
of the subject.
The other question, personal to yourself, I can readily see
is calculated to make you sensitive and uncomfortable. I hope no one will be so
unjust and indelicate as to refer to such a matter, but should it be done, keep
silent and refer the matter to your friends. I will answer any such
insinuations and vouch for your soundness in any and all ways. I have known you
too long and too well to permit a doubt to cross my mind as to the soundness of
your views. What sentiments your brother may entertain will be a subject for
our representatives at Washington. It is all right and proper that you should
wish him success. I do not, of course, know his opinions, but I believe that if
he had your experience with us we should have no cause to fear him. His
recommendation of that fellow's incendiary work was unfortunate, but I have no
doubt was done without reflection or a knowledge of what he was doing, and that
he heartily repents of an inconsiderate act. I have not the same charity for a
good many of our northern representatives. They go too far, as do some of our
own, but they being the aggressors there is some palliation on our side.
Mrs. B. joins me in regards and wishing you every success.
_______________
1 Richard Taylor, son of President Taylor, later
a confederate general. — Ed.
SOURCES: Walter L. Fleming, General W.T.
Sherman as College President, p. 80-3
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