f the people is disgusting enough; but when I see
that the disposition to steal the crop is very general, that the
people have done and can do it with impunity, I am discouraged about
cotton-raising here. I believe they have not taken any of ours since
it has been packed, but large quantities of it before. And as they all
raised cotton on McTureous[196] for themselves, they could mix and
secrete it very successfully.

Mr. Soule has this moment learned that his cotton-house has been
entered and cotton stolen, but to what extent has not been determined.

I think Mr. Soule will be glad to get away from this "Sodom." He is
too good a man to be worn out by the barbarians of this latitude.

R. S., JR., TO C. P. W.

_Coffin's Point, Dec. 31._ How well Grant appears in everything he
writes as well as in everything he does! In the _Weekly Advertiser_
just received by me, I find his report of his recent Southern
tour,[197] and, if I mistake not, he intimates pretty clearly that
General Saxton has not managed his Department judiciously.

Mr. Philbrick has made an effort to sell the most of the plantations.
As yet, however, no purchaser has appeared, and he has now about
concluded to dispose of them as follows: to lease Fuller Place to N.,
R., and W. (the new firm who have purchased the stock on hand in
store), and Cherry Hill[198] to Mr. Waters, to intrust the management
of Homestead to the latter gentleman, and that of Coffin's Point to
Mr. H. for account of E. S. P., and to let Mr. Williams sell the whole
of Corner[199] and Fripp Point to negroes. I have leased Mulberry Hill
to Mr. Waters.

Negroes continue to steal cotton, and we continue to be helpless
against their depredations.

1866--1867--1868

_Mr. Philbrick's sales to the negroes--Persistent
discouragement with the negroes--H. W.'s visit to Coffin's
Point in 1868--Tribute of the negroes to Mr. Philbrick._

E. S. P. TO W. C. G. [IN EUROPE]

_Boston, Jan. 12, 1866._ The Freedmen's Aid Societies have all
consolidated, and lately have united with the big Orthodox society for
helping refugees, the latter class being no longer so needy except
that the poor whites need education as much as the blacks, and I have
made up my mind that we can't help the blacks much except by helping
poor whites at the same time. The combination enlarges the begging
field immensely, and by putting white and black schools under the same
control will give negro scho