tle good, their
own position I think will be very unpleasant. Nor do I think it
unmanly to withdraw from such plantations. The irregular wayward life
which the people on such places would probably lead undoubtedly
will help to develop their self-reliance, but our style of
development--that of regular, persistent industry--is so wholly
different, that I doubt the wisdom of attempting to yoke the two
styles together. In one point experience confirms what theory would
suggest,--that their own increasing comfort or _misery_ will be a far
stronger agent in the development of these people than any amount of
outside human effort.

I think I shall accept Mr. Philbrick's offer. I wish to stay down
here, and I see no satisfactory way of so doing, except by this
arrangement. It may turn out disastrously,--so be it; the Government
will probably refund the purchase-money in case the lands return to
the Confederate States either by capture or compromise. But with
success, I doubt if I should realize the amount of my present salary
and support. If the lands sell at a nominal price, however, they are
worth that risk. To stay in the work is my object.

I am having a pretty hard time at present. The people are very
wayward,--now they work and then they stop,--and some stop before they
begin. Several men have been acting badly, too; I actually knocked a
man down the other day,--and think I did right,--for the first time in
my life. It very much hurts one's popularity to be often severe,--and
one's reputation with higher authorities also, I fear. My places have
the disadvantage--to me--of being very near headquarters, and my
people have learned through a very unwise act--the removal of a
superintendent on the complaint of the negroes--the benefit of
appealing from me. I have always been sustained--otherwise I should
probably have resigned; but it very much weakens my authority, and, as
I said, probably my reputation. But the worst is that it discourages
and dulls one for the work.

FROM H. W.

_Jan. 7._ I went into Ellen's house to see her sick children. It was
her children who were so sick last summer, and Nancy died. They had
swollen throats and I promised red flannel--then went all through the
quarters talking and giving to all the old women some of our ration
coffee and sugar. The women went on talking, Louisa winding up with an
attempt to solve the to them great mystery--"Miss Hayiat, you not
married? when you going to be marr