Miss B. L. Canedy, October 2, 1863

October 2d, 1863.

Owing to a variety of circumstances contingent upon the commencement of a new work, it has been almost impossible to keep a record from which any accurate report of my school could be drawn.

Early in September I so far succeeded in systematizing my portion of the field, as to be able to make some approach to such a record. From it I gather the following items:

Names registered for September	200
Left to attend other schools	23
Left to find employment	17
Belonging to the school September 30th	160
Average attendance for the month	128
Number between the ages of 6 and 12	50
Number between the ages of 12 and 45	95
Number between the ages of 45 and 60	15

The difficulty I have found in learning the names as well as the ages of these people would have been a source of amusement, but for the memory of the great wrong that has caused it. The name “Bill” or “Tom,” has sometimes stood for several days upon my list, waiting for the owner thereof to learn the proper patronymic to attach to it. I insist on their possessing, as one of the attributes of freedmen, at least two names; but having borne the surname of their “owner” when in slavery, and left it with their chains, they do not readily understand why they need be troubled with a second name, now that they “call no man master.”

I see no abatement of their interest in the school. For regularity and punctuality of attendance, they will compare very favorably, I think, with our Boston schools.

On reaching my school-room door this morning, fifteen minutes before the hour appointed for opening the school, I found 110 waiting admission; and it is not an unusual thing for a large number of them to gather around the door of the Teacher's Home, to escort their respective teachers to their schools.

Their reverence for and child-like trust in the teachings of the Bible is very beautiful. The older ones tell me they always knew they should be free, because they knew “’twas told so in the blessed Bible.” And they have secretly taught their children to live in hope, to watch and wait, for the day of their redemption. I never before had charge of a school where the morning scripture reading produced so visibly a good effect as in this school; there is so much that they seem to feel was written expressly for them.

The most advanced class, numbering 24, can read readily and quite correctly from the “Second Reader” of the National Series, spelling without hesitation any word in the lesson, as well as the names of the various objects in the room, and such as they meet with in the street and elsewhere. Spelling seems to be a favorite pastime in the street and about their homes, and the fortunate boy who can hold the book and pronounce the words for them is “the officer of the day,” and respected and obeyed accordingly. I gave them practical questions in very simple arithmetic, but have been able to give but very little time to it. They are getting some idea of geography; but when I took them in Newbern, and led them out of Craven County and even beyond North Carolina, they seemed quite lost in astonishment, and came to the conclusion that ’twas “a big world.” A few of my pupils are making fair progress in writing, on slates, of which useful article we have now a good supply.

Lest I weary you, I will say in conclusion, that we are all doing much more and better than we have any right to expect. I sometimes ask them if they don't wish themselves back in slavery where they might at least have more comfortable clothing and better food; but the invariable answer is in the negative: “Dis bad enough, but right smart sight better'n dat ar!”

B. L. C.

SOURCE: New-England Educational Commission for Freedmen, Extracts from Letters of Teachers and Superintendents of the New-England Educational Commission for Freedmen, Fourth Series, January 1, 1864, p. 7-9

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: April 9, 1862

Rain; cooler than yesterday. Company B sent off to effect a crossing over Piney. Ten refugees from Monroe [County], escaping [Governor] Letcher's draft, just in. A crossing over Piney effected. Captain Haven, with [Companies] G and K, reported to have fifteen prisoners and twenty-five horses. Kept back by the high water. P. M. Cold and windy, but still raining. Have read “Jack Hinton” these two gloomy days with Avery.

How pleased I am to hear from Lucy that Birtie has been a good scholar; that at the school exhibition he was called up to speak and spoke Logan's speech very well. . . .

Captain Drake returned tonight. Sent my money by the paymaster to my wife. He reports that the Thirtieth Regiment is under marching orders for this point; that the Thirty-fourth is at Fayetteville, and that a cavalry regiment, the Second Virginia, is to form part of our brigade.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 226

Diary of Sarah Morgan: Wednesday, October 2, 1862

With what extraordinary care we prepared for our ride yesterday! One would have thought that some great event was about to take place. But in spite of our long toilet, we stood ready equipped almost an hour before Colonel Breaux arrived. I was standing in a novel place — upon the bannisters looking over the fields to see if he was coming — and, not seeing him, made some impatient exclamation, when lo! he appeared before me, having only been concealed by the wood-pile, and O my prophetic soul! Captain Morrison was by his side!

There was quite a cavalcade of us: Mr. Carter and his wife, Mrs. Badger and Mrs. Worley, in two buggies; the three boys, who, of course, followed on horseback, and the two gentlemen, Miriam, Anna, and I, riding also. It was really a very pretty sight, when Captain Morrison and I, who took the lead going, would reach the top of one of the steep hills and look down on the procession in the hollow below. Fortunately it was a very cloudy evening; for, starting at four, it would have been very unpleasant to ride that distance with the sun in our faces.

As we reached the town we heard the loud report of two cannon which caused the elder ladies to halt and suggest the propriety of a return. But if it was a gunboat, that was the very thing I was anxious to see; so we hurried on to the batteries. It proved to be only practicing, however. At the first one we stopped at, the crew of the Arkansas were drilling. After stopping a while there, we followed the river to see the batteries below. It was delightful to ride on the edge of a high bluff with the muddy Mississippi below, until you fancied what would be the probable sensation if the horse should plunge down into the waters; then it ceased to be so pleasant. The great, strong animal I rode could have carried me over without a protest on my part; for the ridiculous bit in his mouth was by no means suited to his strength; and it would require a more powerful arm than mine to supply the deficiency. Miriam had generously sacrificed her own comfort to give him to me; and rode fiery Joe instead of her favorite. But it was by no means a comfort to me. Then Anna was not reconciled to her pony while I was on such a fine horse, until I proposed an exchange, and gladly dismounted near an old mill two miles and a half below Port Hudson, as we returned home.

In leaving the town, we lost sight of the buggies, as there was no carriage road that might follow the bluff; and though there was one just back, we never saw our buggies again. Once, following a crescent, far below us lay the water battery concealed by the trees that grew by the water's edge, looking, from where we stood, like quite a formidable precipice. Then still beyond, after leaving the river, we passed through a camp where the soldiers divided their attention equally between eating their supper and staring at us in the most profound silence. Then, through an old gate, down a steep hill, past a long line of rifle-pits, a winding road, and another camp where more men stared and cooked their supper, we came to the last battery but one, which lay so far below that it was too late to visit it. We returned highly delighted with what we had seen and our pleasant ride. It was late when we got back, as altogether our ride had been some fifteen miles in length. As soon as we could exchange our habits for our evening dresses, we rejoined our guests at the supper-table, where none of us wanted for an appetite except poor Captain Morrison, who could not be tempted by the dishes we so much relished. After supper, Colonel Breaux and I got into a discussion, rather, he talked, while I listened with eyes and ears, with all my soul. . . . What would I not give for such knowledge! He knows everything, and can express it all in the clearest, purest language, though he says he could not speak a word of English at fourteen!

The discussion commenced by some remark I made about physiognomy; he took it up, and passed on to phrenology — in which he is no great believer. From there he touched on the mind, and I listened, entranced, to him. Presently he asserted that I possessed reasoning faculties, which I fear me I very rudely denied. You see, every moment the painful conviction of my ignorance grew more painful still, until it was most humiliating; and I repelled it rather as a mockery. He described for my benefit the process of reasoning, the art of thinking. I listened more attentively still, resolving to profit by his words. . . . Then he turned the conversation on quite another theme. Health was the subject. He delicately alluded to my fragile appearance, and spoke of the necessity of a strong constitution to sustain a vigorous mind. If the mind prevailed over the weak body, in its turn it became affected by decay, and would eventually lose its powers. It was applicable to all cases; he did not mean that I was sickly, but that my appearance bespoke one who had not been used to the exercise that was most necessary for me. Horseback rides, walks, fresh air were necessary to preserve health. No man had greater disgust for a freckled face than he; but a fair face could be preserved by the most ordinary precautions and even improved by such exercise. He illustrated my case by showing the difference between the flower growing in the sunshine and that growing in a cellar. Father's own illustration and very words, when he so often tried to impress on me the necessity of gaining a more robust frame than nature had bestowed! And a letter he had made Hal write me, showing the danger of such neglect, rose before me. I forgot Colonel Breaux; I remembered only the ardent desire of those two, who seemed to speak to me through his lips. It produced its effect. I felt the guilt I had incurred by not making greater efforts to gain a more robust frame; and putting on my sunbonnet as I arose from the breakfast-table this morning, I took my seat here on the wide balcony where I have remained seated on the floor ever since, with a chair for a desk, trying to drink an extra amount of fresh air.

I was sorry when Colonel Breaux arose to take his leave. As he took my hand, I said earnestly, “Thank you for giving me something to think about.” He looked gratified, made some pleasant remark, and after talking a while longer, said goodnight again and rode off. While undressing, Miriam and I spoke of nothing else. And when I lay down, and looked in my own heart and saw my shocking ignorance and pitiful inferiority so painfully evident even to my own eyes, I actually cried. Why was I denied the education that would enable me to be the equal of such a man as Colonel Breaux and the others? He says the woman's mind is the same as the man's, originally; it is only education that creates the difference. Why was I denied that education? Who is to blame? Have I exerted fully the natural desire To Know that is implanted in all hearts? Have I done myself injustice in my self-taught ignorance, or has injustice been done to me? Where is the fault, I cried. Have I labored to improve the few opportunities thrown in my path, to the best of my ability? “Answer for yourself. With the exception of ten short months at school, where you learned nothing except arithmetic, you have been your own teacher, your own scholar, all your life, after you were taught by mother the elements of reading and writing. Give an account of your charge. What do you know?” Nothing! except that I am a fool! and I buried my face in the sheet; I did not like even the darkness to see me in my humiliation.

SOURCE: Sarah Morgan Dawson, A Confederate Girl's Diary, p. 245-50

Committee of Adams School: July 8th, 1863

Dear Sir,—The Committee of the Adams School, on this Island, would say, that in regard to our ignorance, we were all ignorant and blind, and have been kept back in darkness by our former masters, who used to hold us under bondage and hide the light from us. But thank God that through the prayers of good people, the good friends of the North, through the assistance of God, are helping us to drop the scales from our eyes. We have think within ourself, while we were under slavery bondage, that we could never seen this sight, that we have, and all our friends and parents, who have children, think that they cannot pray and thank God enough, and the good friends of the North, who are striving to let us see this light. Even I myself, Robert L. Chaplin, myself 73 years old, had feel within myself that it was impossible that the slavery bound could ever again see light in this world, until the good friends send us a good friend that teach us that all things are possible with God, and that old and young can see light in their old age. The children and people all, now, desire to learn to read, and we hope you will be pleased not to let us suffer for a teacher, for the children of this district was very much neglect, above any other part of the Island, until our present teacher came, and now his health is gone and he is not able to hold out through the season, and we feel very much distressed in our mind for want of his teaching. All the good we can do for ourself, is but little, we were kept down so, by our secesh masters, but we will do what we can and return our thanks by our prayers to the friends that help us.

We were so delight to set the children improve, that our teacher voted to have a committee of four and myself makes five, to visit the school and see that everything go on regular among all the children, and we stand the assistance of the teacher as far as we are able and our understanding goes.

All the books and property that belong to the School, is in our charge, and if a teacher is sent we shall be sponsible for the same. We will write to you again and let you know how we get along. Our district will need a man teacher, a good strong man, because there is deal of work in a large school. We generally have lecture every Sunday evening, from three to four o'clock among the children and people, and we have seen that it makes the children and people improve more greatly.

If we should have another teacher, we feel that we shall continue on in every way to receive knowledge. Through the assistance of the Lord we pray that as we improve in one thing we may improve in everything, more and more every year. — We give great thanks to the Lord for the good things he has sent already.

This letter is signed by all the five committee men, who are all present, and very thankfully agree to what is said, and we shall all be pleased to receive any message from you.

Robert L. Chaplin, X Chairman

John Edward, his X mark.

William Jefferson, his X mark.

Daniel Bolles, his X mark.

William Scott, his X mark.

July 8th, 1863, Adams School, Morville District,

St. Helena Island, St C.

SOURCE: New-England Educational Commission for Freedmen, Extracts from Letters of Teachers and Superintendents of the New-England Educational Commission for Freedmen, Fourth Series, January 1, 1864, p. 5-6

John M. Forbes to Edward Atkinson, May 23, 1862

Boston, May 23,1862.

My Dear, Sir, — . . . I would gladly do anything, except come before the public, to help your good work. You may use my testimony in any other way than over my signature, and the indorsements of the “Daily”¹ and other journals would seem to answer all purposes. I have watched the Educational Commission from its very inception with the greatest interest, and, while in Secessia, had every opportunity to gauge it, not only by the criticisms of its many enemies, and by the statements of its friends, but by personal observation. It was started very late, and when only the most prompt and even hasty measures gave it a chance of success. These measures were taken chiefly at Boston, with that efficiency which marks our good city and State. A large number of volunteers were hurried from various pursuits, down into South Carolina, where, in about ten days after the enterprise was first thought of, they found themselves landed, with bare floors to sleep upon, soldier's rations to eat, and the obloquy and ridicule of all around them for “sauce piquante.”

Under all their inexperience, and all these disadvantages, they have worked their way quietly on, and up to the time when I left, May 14th, when the new rule of military governor was about beginning, they had accomplished the following results.

First and foremost. They had inspired confidence in the blacks by their kindness, and especially by their bringing the first boon which these forlorn creatures had received from us, namely, an opportunity for education. In all else the negroes have been materially worse off than under their old masters, — with only their scanty ration of Indian corn, no shoes, blankets, clothing, molasses, or other necessaries, and no luxuries given them, of which they formerly had a moderate allowance. Against all this they had had only the doubtful advantage of idleness or precarious employment, and the promises of the cotton agents. It was a great point to put over them intelligent and Christian teachers, and this they have fully appreciated.

Second. The material benefits which have resulted, namely: beginning very late, the forces of the plantation have been organized to reasonably steady labor; a full crop of food has been planted in common, besides many much larger private, or, as these are called, “Negro Grounds,” planted than ever before. I saw repeatedly whole gangs who had finished their plantation work by ten A. M., and had all the rest of the day for their own patches, some of which are four or five times as large as usual.

Third. In addition to the food crop, enough cotton land has been planted to give the negroes, if they are allowed to take care of the crop and enjoy its fruits, more of the necessaries and indeed comforts of life than they have ever had before.

To sum up, we have then for some of the results,

The confidence of the blacks;

The education, so far as it goes;

The encouragement of industry; and

The material advantage of food and cotton crops;

instead of leaving the negroes alone to run into vice and pauperism, or turning them over to the tender mercies of hard speculators.

Of course, the agents of the commission have made mistakes in some cases, and some of them have been ill chosen, and have helped the enemies of the enterprise to bring it into local discredit; but generally the whole has been a most successful undertaking, and most of those sent from this quarter have, by their patience, faithfulness, and disinterested zeal, been a credit to Massachusetts. They, as a whole, form a noble band of men and women. They have had everything to contend with, especially the opposition of many with whose interests they interfered, and of others whose prejudices they offended. Their predecessors on the plantations, the cotton agents and military, had begun to look upon themselves as the successors to the planters, entitled to the use of all that was left, houses, horses, negroes, crops.

When the agents of the commission came down to take charge of the plantations, they were looked upon as interlopers, and in most cases every obstacle, short of absolute disobedience to the orders of the commanding general, was thrown in their way. All the little mistakes of the new-comers were magnified; all the good they did ignored, and a local public opinion thus created against them, which many of our own soldiers, who ought to have known better, gave in to. “What a ridiculous thing for these philanthropists to come down and teach the stupid negroes, and occupy the plantations, and use the secesh ponies which had been so convenient for our pickets!”

Such was the natural feeling of the unthinking, and of some who ought to have reflected. This false opinion was largely availed of by the “Herald” and other kindred papers, to create prejudice at the North against an enterprise aiming to improve the condition of the blacks. How much more satisfactory to this class would it have been to have had the negroes left to their own devices, and then given all the enemies of improvement a chance to say, “We told you so! The negroes are worse off than before, — idle, vicious, paupers. The sooner you reduce them to slavery again, and the more firmly you bind the rest of their race to eternal slavery, the better!”

It would take too long to go into the question of what is to be done hereafter; but there was an emergency three months ago which has, in my opinion, been successfully met; and among other results I believe you will have the testimony of all who have been engaged in the experiment, that it has distinctly proved that the negro has the same selfish element in him which induces other men to labor. Give him only a fair prospect of benefit from his labor, and he will work like other human beings. Doubtless hereafter this selfish element must be appealed to more than it could be by the agents of the commission. There must be less working in common, and more done for the especial benefit of each laborer. It is much to establish the fact that this element of industry exists.

In conclusion, I consider the Educational Commission up to this time a decided success. I congratulate you and your associates upon having added another to the good deeds of Massachusetts, not by any means forgetting the share which New York has had in the good work; and I sincerely hope that General Saxton, cooperating with you, may in a manner worthy of his high reputation complete what has been so well begun.

Very truly yours,

J. M. Forbes.

_______________

¹ The Boston Daily Advertiser.

SOURCE: Sarah Forbes Hughes, Letters and Recollections of John Murray Forbes, Volume 1, p. 309-13

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones, December 25, 1863

No war news to-day. But a letter, an impassioned one, from Gov. Vance, complains of outrages perpetrated by detached bodies of Confederate States cavalry, in certain counties, as being worse than any of the plagues of Egypt: and says that if any such scourge had been sent upon the land, the children of Israel would not have been followed to the Red Sea. In short, he informs the Secretary of War, if no other remedy be applied, he will collect his militia and levy war against the Confederate States troops! I placed that letter on the Secretary's table, for his Christmas dinner. As I came out, I met Mr. Hunter, President of the Senate, to whom I mentioned the subject. He said, phlegmatically, that many in North Carolina were “prone to act in opposition to the Confederate States Government.”

Yesterday the President sent over a newspaper, from Alabama, containing an article marked by him, in which he was very severely castigated for hesitating to appoint Gen. J. E. Johnston to the command of the western army. Why he sent this I can hardly conjecture, for I believe Johnston has been assigned to that command; but I placed the paper in the hands of the Secretary.

My son Custis, yesterday, distributed proposals for a night-school (classical), and has some applications already. He is resolved to do all he can to aid in the support of the family in these cruel times.

It is a sad Christmas; cold, and threatening snow. My two youngest children, however, have decked the parlor with evergreens, crosses, stars, etc. They have a cedar Christmas-tree, but it is not burdened. Candy is held at $8 per pound. My two sons rose at 5 A.m. and repaired to the canal to meet their sister Anne, who has been teaching Latin and French in the country; but she was not among the passengers, and this has cast a shade of disappointment over the family.

A few pistols and crackers are fired by the boys in the streets — and only a few. I am alone; all the rest being at church. It would not be safe to leave the house unoccupied. Robberies and murders are daily perpetrated.

I shall have no turkey to-day, and do not covet one. It is no time for feasting.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 119-20

No Churches nor Schools

Our Excellent correspondent “Diff.” has on several occasions referred to the absence of school houses in the slave States which he has visited, and the consequent illiterate condition of the people.  A correspondent thus alludes to the same subject:

On coming to Rolla I was struck with the fact that there was neither church nor school-house in that town.  From there to Springfield, a distance of one hundred and twenty miles, in which there are farming neighborhoods settled over twenty years, I saw but one church – a half finished building commenced by the Southern Methodists, and afterwards abandoned – and not a single school-house. – At Springfield there were indications of moral, religious and intellectual culture, (churches and academies, temporarily abandoned during the possession of the town by the rebels, some of them destroyed,) but from Springfield to Cassville there was not a church or school-house to be seen.  In Cassville, I think, there must have been some obscure place used for religious purposes, but it was not visible, nor distinguishable from the other houses.  From Cassville to this town, no church or school-house has met my eye.  In Galena, the county seat of Stone county, there is no such structure.  In Forsyth there is the same destitution of any outward signs of religion or education.  Is it any wonder that in such a region the rebellion should find adherents among an ignorant and prejudiced population?

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 17, 1862, p. 2

XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, May 8.

SENATE. – The resolution impeaching Judge Humphreys was read from the House, and referred to a select committee, consisting of Messrs. Foster, Doolittle and Davis.

The bill establishing a port of entry at Hilton S. C., was received from the House and passed.

Mr. Wright presented a petition from citizens of Florida, asking for a confiscation bill.

The bill making appropriations for the deficiencies in the payment of volunteers was taken up.  After debate relative to the number of men now in the army, the bill was passed.

The bill limiting the number of Brigadier and Major Generals was passed, Mr. Hale’s amendment being rejected.  It limits the number of Major Generals to 80, and Brigadiers tow 200.

Mr. Sumner offered a resolution saying that it was inexpedient that victories obtained over our own citizens be placed on the regimental colors of the U. S.

The bill establishing the department of agriculture was taken up and passed.

After debate, the question was taken on Foster’s substitute, making a bureau of agriculture in the Department of the Secretary of the Interior.  Lost 18 against 18.  The bill as reported to the Senate passed – 25 to 12.

The bill for the appointment of medical storekeepers was amended so as to authorize the President to appoint Chaplains for hospitals, and passed.

Mr. Doolittle called up his bill to collect taxes on lands and insurrectionary districts. – He explained its provisions, when the bill was postponed until to-morrow.

The bill for the education of colored children in the District of Columbia, providing a tax of 10 per cent. upon the colored residents therefore, was taken up.

Mr. Wilson, of Mass., moved a new section, making all persons of color in the District amenable to the same laws as whites.  Adopted.  The amendment repeals the black code of the District.  On the passage of the bill, no quorum voted.

Mr. Hale introduced a bill to abolish the office of Marshal of the District of Columbia, and establishing that of Sheriff.

Mr. Grimes presented the petition of Gen. Sigel and other officers, asking for a German professorship at West Point, and recommending Reinhaldt Solger for the office.

HOUSE. – The Iowa contested election case was taken up.  It involves the question whether a member of Congress can hold a seat and commission in the volunteers at the same time, and refers especially to Vandever, who commands a regiment.

On motion of Mr. Washburne, it was postponed till the first Wednesday in December.

The bill organizing the territorial government of Arizona was taken up and passed.  The bill repeals all laws in the organizing of territories recognizing the relation of master and slave, and prohibits slavery therein.

The bill extending the eastern limits of Nevada sixty miles was passed.

Mr. Lovejoy called up the bill abolishing slavery within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government.  The house refused by 50 to 60 to table the bill.

Mr. Mallory raised a point that the bill was not regularly before the House, which the Speaker overruled.

Mr. Lovejoy called for the previous question.

Without coming to a vote the house adjourned.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 10, 1862, p. 2

From Washington

WASHINGTON, May 6.

The U. S. gunboat Huron captured, on the 19th ult., off Charleston, the schooner Glide, of Charleston, while attempting to run the blockade.  She was bound to Nassau, and was loaded with 1,000 bales of cotton and five tierces of rice.  Her papers and logbooks were thrown overboard during the chase.

A number of members of the committees on military affairs of both Senate and House, accompanied by Gen. Clark, executive clerk of the Senate, and Mr. Smith, clerk of the House’s military committee, have gone to Ft. Monroe and the headquarters of Gen. McClellan, to prosecute enquiries touching the charges against Gen. Smith, and other matters of importance in the prosecution of the war.

Senator Wade’s bill, in aid of agricultural colleges, provides that the public lands shall be donated to the States and Territories which may establish colleges to teach the science of agriculture and the mechanical arts, in proportion of 30,000 acres for each senator and Representative.  The funds acquired by the sale of the lands to be invested in government or other stocks yielding at least five per cent.  One college at least must be endowed and supported in the State or Territory which received the donation.

The Senate committee on Finance has reported about 260 amendments to the House tax bill, after having heard delegations representing various interests.  Among the amendments, they have stricken out the tax on ale, and mixed and increased that on distilled spirits to 20 cents per gallon, to be collected at distilleries, but not to operate on stock on and previous to the passage of this act.  The tax on domestic wines is stricken out.  Lager beer and other malt liquors remain undisturbed.  3 per ct. is proposed on the gross receipts of railroads, steamboats, &c.; 30 instead of 5 cts. on cattle, adding 5 cts. on calves; tobacco 20 cts. per lb.; cigars from 10 to 35 cts. according to quality.  The tax of 1 ct. per lb. on cotton is stricken out, and schedule A, taxing pianos.

An order from John M. Casson, assistant P. M. General, directs that all letters for New Orleans should be sent to New York for transmission by government steamers.

The associated press agent gives some additional particulars from our advance near Williamsburg, dated Monday evening:  In the fight there our loss was 17 killed, and about 40 wounded.  80 rebels were left dead on the field, and 40 wounded.  We took nearly 200 prisoners.  Their dead were buried by us on the field.  A stand of colors, belonging to rebel cavalry captured are now on the way to Washington.

Gen. McClellan and staff arrived on the field at 5 o’clock.  He rode to the front greeted by cheers from the troops.  He immediately assumed command.

The rain has poured down in torrents all day.

Jeff. Davis was at Richmond at last accounts.

The enemy’s works [at] Williamsburg were very formidable, extending across the peninsula.

Herald’s Dispatch.

The report of the finance committee of the Senate upon the tax bill is accompanied by an amendment, offered by Senator McDougal, one of the committee, as a substitute for the whole bill.  The bill proposes to raise revenue from the following sources:  1st, capital active and circulating, to be reached by a tax on receipts of business, as hotels, &c., one hundred and ten millions.  2nd, capital fixed, and realized income duties on interests, from interest paying bonds and securities, ten millions.  3d, excises on spirits, malt liquor and manufactured tobacco, forty millions.  4th, duties on legacies and inheritances, granted from one to eight per cent., seven millions.  The system of payment by ad valorem stamps is adopted throughout.  The officials employed to be, 1st, a commissioner of internal revenue at Washington to supervise all.  2nd, inspectors in the several districts with deputies to be appointed by them.  3d, a stamp agent in each district, or more than one if necessary, for the disposal of stamps.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 2

Deaf and Dumb Asylum

The fourth Biennial Report of this Institution contains many interesting matters and we therefore extract largely from it.  The three Asylums, for the Insane, for the blind, and for the deaf and dumb are a credit and an honor to our State, and all will be glad to hear that they were in a prosperous and healthy condition.

We extract from the Report of the Board of Trustees:

During the last two years, the condition of this Institution has been one of unbroken prosperity – a prosperity limited only by the measure of our circumstances.  Quietly but surely has this out-growth of public charity and the rights of the needy pursued its course of humble usefulness dispensing to scores of impoverished minds the wealth of knowledge.

Teachers and scholars have cheerfully united to promote the great end of the Institution – the elevation of an unfortunate class.  And here let it be remembered, that this Institution is strictly and only educational in its character and therefore is not designed to be a mere Asylum for paupers or a Hospital for medical experiments upon the diseased or dead organ of hearing. – The end proposed is the education of the deaf and the means employed contemplate no other object.  We here use the term education in its widest sense, as embracing the harmonious cultivation of all the physical, mental and moral powers.

Few are aware how great is the difficulty of fully educating an uneducated mute, the difficulty being enhanced by the absence of that mental discipline and knowledge enjoyed on youth by those who possess all their senses.  And in this respect the Blind are less unfortunate than the Deaf, for the former can make large acquisitions of knowledge at home before attending school, whilst the Deaf are usually if not necessarily wholly dependent upon their Institutions for all they know.  The fact is stated to show how important such Institutions are, and how wise as well as generous has been public charity, out of which have grown so many efforts for the relief of the afflicted class.

Our school opens at 9 o’clock, a. m.  Our first exercise is a lecture in the natural and expressive language of signs.  This lecture is generally upon some moral or religious subject, and the occasion is taken to convey a knowledge of the common properties and duties of life.  No difficulty is found in imparting to even our youngest scholars abstract and spiritual ideas, although such ideas have no place in their minds whilst in an uneducated state.  The Bible, with its sublime utterances and solemn truths, is, indeed, a revelation to them, bringing as it does “life and immortality to light,” and opening to their vision a boundless world of thought.

The school is divided into three classes.  The advanced class is taught by the principal.  The second class is taught by his brother, and the primary class by the older pupils, under the direction of the principal.  This is our present arrangement, and although the classification is imperfect and another teacher needed, still we must yield to the requirements of economy, and adapt ourselves to circumstances.

We aim to give a knowledge of the English language together with the essentials of those branches of Science deemed most practical, and waste little time in efforts designed to surprise the public rather than benefit the pupil.

An effort has been made to keep our expenses within the specified sum, and the effort has been successful, but to do this we have been obliged to contract the usefulness of the Institution, by refusing admission to quite a number, and by dispensing with advantages which we otherwise might have enjoyed.

The census places the total number of mutes in the State at about three hundred.  But it is probable the census is incorrect, for already the Institution has given instruction to almost one hundred mutes, and the number in the State is doubtless near four hundred, for we have reliable data for the statement, that at least twenty five per cent. of this class might at any time be under instruction, the remainder being unfitted by age, disease, or other causes.

At present the principal has only one assistant teacher, the primary class being taught by the monitress and older pupils under the direction of the principal.

During the last two years, other teachers have been employed, but they have been discharged for the sake of economy.

The principal has never yet been able to secure the assistance of experienced teachers, as such command higher salaries than our means have allowed us to afford, and thus we have been unable, in this respect, to compete with other Institutions.

The law provides that the principal, shall, when deemed proper, make tours throughout the State in company with a number of his pupils, in order to excite an interest and call in a greater number of scholars, but necessity has required the opposite course, for from an apprehension that the Institution might be over crowded or embarrassed with applications for admission, no special effort has been deemed advisable, and indeed the general rule has been that an effort has been needed rather to limit than to enlarge our school, so as at all times to live within our means and do justice to those already admitted.

We feel that the prospect for a permanent building is not encouraging and, indeed, we do not expect the State at this time to consider that question.  We fear the day is now distant when the mutes of this State might look with pride and joy upon their own Asylum, complete in all its appointments, capacious enough to receive every worthy applicant, and standing in architectural grandeur as another perpetual monument of Iowa’s intelligent charity.

We now point with feelings of honorable pride to our magnificent Home for the Insane, and know, that when our national sky is once more clear, and these great States once more and forever united, as united they must be, then will the triumphs of peace appear in Iowa, and all our educational and charitable institutions pulsate with new life.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 4

The Iowa Blind Asylum

We have received the 5th Biennial Report of the Iowa Institution for the Education of the Blind.  The Board of Directors represent the Institution as in a prosperous condition.

The receipts and disbursements of the Institution for the two years ending Dec. 31, 1861, are as follows:

Balance on hand as per last report.	$1,534.48
Orders on Auditor of State	14,575.00
Other Sources	300.70
Total	$16,401.18
Amount paid out during said term	13,937.83
Balance on hand	$2,472.35

From the report of Mr. Samuel Bacon, principal, we make a few extracts.

It is now more than eighteen years since I commenced teaching the blind.  This is the second institution I have established, and having labored here for nearly ten years I am tired and wish to terminate my connection with this institution by the beginning of the next term.  Whatever occupation I may hereafter pursue I shall always feel a lively interest in the Iowa Institution for the Education of the Blind.

Seventy five pupils have been admitted since the commencement of the Institution, five of whom have died, thirty discharged, leaving at present forty.  As there were forty two in attendance last year it was reasonably expected there would be fifty this but times are such that it is almost impossible for them to get here.

The law under which the Institution is organized ought to be amended fixing a definite time that the trustees shall qualify and enter upon their duties.  Some provision ought to be made for clothing such pupils as are not able to clothe themselves.  As yet the Institution has felt no great inconvenience from this but if not remedied it will eventually embarrass the finances.  The best method would be for the Institution to furnish them and call upon the respective counties to which they belong for the same.  For the support of the Institution no better method can be devised than it now has.

The course of instruction is thorough and as extensive as in most similar institutions.  There are three departments, Industrial, Musical and Academical, which have devoted to them respectively two, three and four hours a day.  In the Industrial Department the males are employed in brush and broom making, the females in  sewing plain and fancy knitting and beadwork, a number of them have learned to use Wheeler & Wilson’s Sewing Machines with success.

The following statement of the operations of this department.

1860
Jan. 1	Total material on hand	$331.81
Jan. 1	Total manufactured articles on hand	96.20
Dec. 1	Total cost of mater’l since Jan. 1, ’60	101.41
		$629.42
1861
Dec. 1	By material on hand	$296.90
Dec. 1	By manufactured articles on hand	186.35
Dec. 1	By sales since Jan. 1, ’60	234.80
		$718.05
	Net gain	$88.63

Music embraces the theory and composition as well as vocal and instruments.

The Academical course for the past two years has embraced reading raised print, writing, grammar, logic, geography, arithmetic, algebra, geometry and natural philosophy.

The following is a summary of the expenditures of the Institution since the 1st of January, 1860.

Salaries	$4,307.00
Rent	452.50
Traveling	391.50
Printing	15.50
Groceries and provisions	3571.15
Furnishing	838.49
Labor	667.40
Music and Instruments	459.51
Books and Stationary	342.77
Fuel and Light	882.02
Industrial Department	201.41
Medical attendance and Medicines	222.25
Clothing	163.01
Repairs	727.98
Miscellaneous expenses	445.27
	$13,637.88
Estimated expenses for December	600.00
	$13,037.88

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 1

Office Of The Sec’y Of Board Of Education

DES MOINES, IOWA, March 24, 1862

To County Superintendents and Boards of Directors:

Many inquiries have recently been addressed to this office, relative to the power of the Board of Directors to levy a tax for the support of schools under the fourteenth clause of section 16 of Part VIII, of the pamphlet edition of the School laws.  We answer that the provision referred to gives them full power to levy such tax, independent of any vote of the district meeting. – Not only so, but it is their imperative duty to levy such tax, when in their judgment it is necessary in order to keep the schools in progress for twenty-four weeks in each year.  The district meeting may even vote against a tax for any purpose whatever, and still it would not interfere with the authority vested in the Board of Directors by the clause in question.

The difference between the authority given the district meeting and that conferred upon the Board of Directors is this: The district meeting may vote a tax to keep up the schools for six, eight or twelve months, and in such case it would become the duty of the Secretary to certify the same to the Board of Supervisors, as provided in section 23, of Part VIII; but the Board of Directors must (“shall” is the language of the law) levy such tax as may be necessary, to keep up the schools for  twenty four weeks each year.  This power is essential – otherwise, they could not comply with the provisions of the law, which require them to have a school taught in each sub-district for the period above named.  If, the district meeting should vote the amount required, it would of course be unnecessary for the Board to levy a tax.

To set the matter finally at rest, I would add, that the construction here given was settled by the decision of the Supreme Court, at the December term for 1861, held in this city, in the case of Joseph K. Snyder vs. Samuel Wampler, et al.  County Superintendents will please communicate this intelligence with as little delay as possible to the respective boards of directors, in order that it may reach them in time for their regular meeting on the first Saturday after the first Monday in April.

THOMAS H. BENTON, Jr.,

Secretary of the Board

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 1

Local Matters

CHOICE editions of standard works on exhibition at the Iowa Book Rooms, No. 50 Brady st. – some of the finest works in the English language.

APPLES. – Simmons has for sale, on consignment, thirty for forty barrels of prime [genitings].  Apply at his stand, corner of Brady and Second streets.

WE ARE pleased to see that Erskine has received a beautiful lot of cassimeres, vestings, &c.  We advised every one to go and see them.  He keeps a fine stock of ready made clothing on hand, which he offers very low.

ALEXANDER’S plain and embroidered kid gloves, plain and fancy raglans, elegant embroiders shawls, fancy dress silks, new dress goods, embroidered handkerchiefs, lace mitts, silk, mohair and may other styles of goods will be opened at Wadsworth’s this morning.  Ladies are invited to inspect the same.

CHILD & Co. have just received a very large stock of boots and shoes, consisting of every variety.  Their unequaled facilities in getting goods direct from their wholesale house in Boston, enable them to give great bargains, and they are bound to do it.  They also manufacture men’s and ladies’ fine sewed boots to order, of superior style and quality.  Call and see them.

GOLD EXCITEMENT. – A citizen who has just returned from St. Louis reports considerable excitement existing there relative to the new gold country in the far North-West.  He met a French Canadian who had spent a few months there, and hat returned with $30,000 in the shining dust.  Expeditions were being fitted out to explore the new country.  A number of our citizens contemplate joining the explorers.

NOTARIES PUBLIC. – It may be interesting to those of our fellow citizens who hold appointments as notaries public, numbering something less than half the voting population of Scott county, to know that by a recent act of the Legislature no more than nine notaries can be appointed for this county.  Those holding commissions, however may fill out the term for which they were appointed, by paying into the State treasury the sum of five dollars.  Of course, this will please all our notaries, who will be delighted to exhibit their patriotism at the cheap rate of a drop of five dollars into the treasury bucket.

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LAW CASE. – The case referred to below may possess interest to many of our readers, as it involves a considerable amount and the parties all citizens of this place:–

In the case of James May vs. Executors of A. LeClaire, John P. Cook, Geo. L. Davenport and others, in Chancery, in the U. S. District Court for Iowa, defendants filed exceptions to plaintiff’s original and amended bills and his bill of reviver, and had the matter referred to a Master in Chancery to examine and report thereon.

Counsel for both parties appeared before the Master and occupied one day in arguing the case before him.  It was then argued by the counsel for two mortal long days before his Honor, Judge Love, who yesterday morning gave his opinion overruling the exceptions to plaintiff’s original and amended bills, but sustaining the exception to the bill of reviver, and counsel for plaintiff have leave to amend the same.

The Court decided that the costs occasioned by filling these exceptions be paid one-half by each party. – Keokuk Constitution.

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A FAMILIAR COMPEND OF GEOLOGY. For the School and Family. By A. M. Hillside.  Philadelphia: James Challen & Son.

A copy of this elementary work has been handed us by Elder Challen, of this city.  After a critical examination of its contents, and noticing the familiar style in which the author treats the subject, we pronounce it the very book that is needed in our schools to acquaint children with the first principles of Geology and give them a love for one of the grandest and most useful of the natural sciences.  It commences with the definition of the simple question, What is Geology? And ends by leaving the student with mind prepared to enter upon the study of Lyell’s profounder works, or to peruse understandingly Hugh Miller’s noble and elevating series of publications on this interesting science.  The introduction of this rudimentary book into our schools would cause children to devote more of their spare hours to the healthful and profitable pastime of searching for specimens of the different rocks and paleontological remains that abound in this vicinity, and if teachers themselves would take an interest in it – without which no study can be made interesting to students – the nucleus of a cabinet might soon be formed in each of our public schools, that eventually without expense might grow to be valuable acquisitions.  This little book, embracing only 150 pages, contains a glossary, index and chart of the systems of classifications adopted by several of the most distinguished geologists of England and America.  Its author is a lady, not a compiler of school books like Comstock, but one who has made geology her study for years, and in offering this elementary work to the public, gives what was originally written to interest her own children in this grand science.  An examination of this little book, we feel sure, will favorably impress our committees and teachers with its merits, and lead to its general introduction into our schools.

_________

SUPREME COURT

(APRIL TEARM.)

CALEB S. BALDWIN, Chief Justice.

G. G.  WRIGHT, Associate Justice.

R. P. LOWE, Associate Justice.

LEW KINSEY, Clerk.

FRIDAY, April 11.

1280. Cochrane vs. Miller, appt.; Green Co.  Affirmed.

880.  Samuel vs. Griffith et al.; Lee Co.  Affirmed.

1107.  Bevan vs. Hayden, et al.; Dubuque Co.  Affirmed.

1117.  Joseph J. Wilson vs. William L. Holcomb; Dubuque Co.  Affirmed.

1194.  Martin Terhune, appt. vs. Carmichael et al.; Scott Co.  Affirmed.

825.  Cassady, appt. vs. County of Woodbury; Polk Co.  Affirmed.

_________

WHIPPING. – Mr. Mixter, of Rock Island, delivered a lecture on Tuesday evening against whipping, either in school or the family.  We believe with the Argus, that there are other more humane and more effective modes of correction; and since public opinion had abolished the whipping-post, the government abolished whipping in the navy, why should this relic of barbarism be kept up in the family and the school?

MAPLE SUGAR. – Starr has several hundred pounds of this delicious article, just received.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 12, 1862, p. 1

Local Matters

THE SCHOOLS of the city will re-open next Monday morning for the spring and summer terms.

CLAGGETT, of the Keokuk Constitution, takes offence at us for accusing him of swearing, and says we are “defaming his private character.”  We shall be happy to find we were in error, and if he denies the impeachment, will take an early occasion to correct our statement.  What say you Judge?

CHILD INJURED. – Yesterday morning a little girl, child of Mr. John Birkel, Second street, near Brady, fell down a pair of stairs, and struck against a bowl which she was carrying, cutting a horrible gash in her face, four or five inches long, extending across the forehead, around the right eye and one the cheek.  Dr. McCortney dressed the wounds, which in some places extended to the bone, and the little sufferer is doing well, though she will be badly scarred.

THE Democrat of Wednesday contains a half-column article in relation to the GAZETTE and the election, that couldn’t have been further from the truth if manufactured to fill a specific order for a cargo of falsehoods.  When Dick does start out to lie he does it up in tip-top style.  It’s his forte, acquired by long practice and favorable political associations.  In the first place we never made a threat against Marshal McNeil, nor did we believe him to be the cause of us losing that job of printing.  We profess to be familiar with that whole transaction, but have made threats against no one.  We couldn’t do it, it’s “agin natur.”  All the Democrat says about the GAZETTE influencing the nomination and conniving with the German candidates for Aldermen, is the first intimation we have had of such proceeding.  Somebody has been stuffing Dick most egregiously, or else he lies most deliberately.  We opposed the manner of Baker’s nomination, both on the ground and in the paper, as we were satisfied had the polls remained open, as suggested by Mr. Kauffman, it would have given more satisfaction to the voters.  As to the proposition made by Mr. McNeil to Baker, the first intimation we had of such thing was after it had transpired and from McNeil himself.  Our voracious neighbor winds up by saying, we attended the convention, a very uncommon thing, etc.  If we have omitted attending a convention where we had the privilege of a vote, either of the Whig or Republican party, since we reached our majority, we are not aware of it.  If anybody can compress more downright falsehoods in the same space than our neighbor has done in the article referred to, then he will be entitled to the sobriquet of ‘king of liars.’

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Proceedings of the Board of Education.

WEDNESDAY, April 10.

Board met at 10 o’clock.  Present – all but the Vice President.

The petition of 36 citizens of East Davenport was presented by the President, praying that a female teacher be employed part of the year in a school to be located between district-schools 1 and 2, for the benefit of children who live remote from the schools.  On motion of Mr. Smith, the prayer was granted, school to commence April 28^th.

The resignations of Mr. Hiskey, principal of School No. 4, and of Mr. Gorton, Principal of School No. 1, were presented and accepted.

The appointment of teachers to fill vacancies was fixed for Saturday at 1 o’clock p.m.

Mr. French, Treasurer, presented a statement of the school moneys as follows.

Received from A. F. Mast, County Treasurer, school-house fund	$3202.95
Received from teachers’ fund	2354.58
Received from State teachers’ fund	4684.63
Total teachers’ fund	$7,989.21

The Treasurer was ordered to pay a certain judgment in favor of Mr. Lindley, amounting to $270.17.

The president appointed the following committees:

Fuel, Supplies and Rules – Smith, French, Olshausen.

Printing, Building and Repairs – Blood, Cook and Smith.

Finances, Taxes, Claims and insurance – French, Cook and Smith.

Teachers, Salaries and Text Books – Olshausen and Grant.

Adjourned till Saturday at 1 o’clock.

OTTO SMITH, Secretary.

__________

SUPREME COURT.

APRIL TERM.

CALEB S. BALDWIN, Chief Justice.

G. G. WRIGHT, Associate Justice.

R. P. LOWE, Associate Justice.

LEWIS KINNEY, Clerk.

TUESDAY, April 10.

1102.  Blake vs City of Dubuque appt.; Dubuque co.  Affirmed.

1117.  Jesse B. Bailey vs Dubuque Western RR. Co. and Polan and Anderson appts.; Dubuque county.  Reversed.

1116.  Francis M. Smith appt. vs C. C. Keath; Dubuque Co. Court.  Affirmed.

1106.  S. M. Langworthy vs City of Dubuque appt.; Dubuque co.  Affirmed.

1107.  E. Langworthy vs City of Dubuque appt.; Dubuque co.  Affirmed.

1250.  Don Levusal vs Leander Reynolds; Blackhawk co.  Affirmed.

1268.  Thos. B. & B. S. Doxey vs L. B. Morton et al.; Blackhawk co.  Affirmed.

1284.  D. M. Collins vs Wm. Hammond; Blackhawk co.  Affirmed.

1104.  Ann Karney vs Thos. Paulsey appt; Dubuque co.  Affirmed.

250.  W. D. David vs. Hartford Fire Ins. Co.; Dubuque co.  Reversed.

Court adjourned until Thursday morning.

__________

JAIL BREAKING. – They have a man in the St. Louis prison who can beat our jail breakers at their own game.  Not long since he broke out of the prison and kept a sharp look-out to prevent recapture.  Finding he was not pursued he returned and voluntarily gave himself up.  No sooner was he incarcerated than he began to work his way out which he accomplished, but he was caught just as he got outside the walls and taken back.  A third time he essayed to burrow himself out, and worked one night to 3 o’clock in the morning, when he covered over his labors hoping to finish up the next night.  He had however, been discovered, and was put in irons.  This pertinacity would seem to indicate that some men have a mania for breaking through bolts and bars, and are never better satisfied than when they have a job of that kind on hand.  A former sheriff of this county says that in his experience it would seem as if men who had only an hour to remain were as anxious to break jail as those who had a term to serve in the State prison; and this St. Louis affair would seem to confirm this view.

OLD SOL stuck his face through a cloud yesterday, just long enough to let us know he hadn’t entirely left the country.  He immediately disappeared, and hasn’t been seen since.  In the meantime, the roads continue fathomable – with long poles.  Up river they been enjoying sleighing to heart’s content, and a little more.  Capt. Parker of the Canada, reports snow all the way down to McGregor, with fifteen inches at Lake Pepin.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 11, 1862, p. 1