"Come, let's
go," as if they had come up simply to assure me that our people would
give no trouble. I was touched.

The end of the story was a month later.

FROM H. W.

_May 27._ Mr. Tomlinson came home last night with C. and Mr. Soule to
spend the night and make the contract with the people, so C. sent word
to them to assemble in the cotton-house yard before they went to their
work, and he and Mr. Tomlinson went down before breakfast, so that
they need not be interrupted in their work. They were gone so long
that we began to fear some trouble--indeed C. said he expected some
"jawing," and that it would be strange if this was the only place
where there was none; but not a word was said--the people apparently
are so ashamed of the conduct of the women when Mr. Philbrick was here
and so indignant with the "Fripp People" that they are on their best
behavior.

FROM W. C. G.

_Early May._ We have been having a funny time with our people lately.
One of my plantations is decidedly ahead of all the others in
intelligence and energy. They were so energetic about March 1 as to
get a petition sent up to President Lincoln, praying for redress
against their various oppressions. The matter was referred to some
gentlemen coming down here to make other investigations, and two or
three weeks ago they pretty thoroughly examined our affairs. I believe
the result was pretty satisfactory. The originators of the movement
were two dissatisfied men who have given me great trouble. There was
much reason for some of their feeling, but very little for their
complaints. As a result of the whole affair, however, I believe we all
think it would be politic to increase our wages still more. At present
we pay rather less than some, but our cheap stores far more than make
up the difference. This, however, the people, instead of appreciating,
only make the subject of more complaint.

When that was nicely settled, I made the discovery that both
plantations had thought it proper to plant a great deal of corn among
my cotton. I had given them corn-land for themselves, but they, in
pursuance of a Secesh custom of planting a little corn between the
cotton rows, had done so to an outrageous extent. And they in many
cases refused to take it out. The truth is here,--that we are rather
more in the power of the negroes than they in ours. I shall insist on
every grain being out, but actually shall probably have to do it
myself. Well--such disputes