people have often puzzled me as to what they were
originally intended for, and in taking down the names of the children
"Rode" puzzled me completely, until old Maria, in talking of her
"crop" the other day, told me that one child was born in the _road_ on
the way from the field the day "gun fire at Bay Point, and I give him
name o' Road"!

I don't think any of the heirs will find that these people are
deteriorated when they redeem this property. I only hope young Mass'
Julian, who is in Europe, will be glad to find them so far in training
for free laborers and be grateful that they are not ruined, as some of
the people are!

FROM C. P. W.

_Aug. 3._ The people say, all in good earnest, that the best of the
[cotton] crop (including nine tenths of it) equals and excels the
"Secesh own." There are a few lazy, who have allowed their crop to
grow grassy, and some young ones, who need careful instruction or
severe admonition from the elder ones. But the large majority are
careful, faithful, honest, enthusiastic, and are doing much better for
themselves than they would have for their "obershere." The people
anxiously inquire for cotton sheets to pick in. They are hiring hands
now to pick for them; some of them will be tight pushed to save all
their crop.

FROM W. C. G.

_Pine Grove, Aug. 22._ We are all very busy, all day and every day.
And it is well that it is so, for in this climate the only way to keep
one's faculties from rust is to keep them constantly in use. It is
encouraging, however, to find the good results of our labor so
apparent. I think our people are improving very fast, and they are
very contented and happy. (Next week don't be surprised, however, to
find the thermometer lower.)

A great step has lately been taken. On the whole the people have been
growing more lawless this year; to remedy the evil, civil law has just
been introduced. The first Commission[142] was appointed a few days
ago, and as I am one of its members, it gives occupation for another
day or two days of a week. I hope it will be able to do much good; at
all events it will be abundantly supplied with cases. This life is
very narrowing,--we talk nothing but negro, we think nothing but
negro; and yet it develops a man at almost every point. From
house-carpenter to Chief Justice is a long way. And in one who uses
the opportunity aright it develops patience and faith marvelously, but
through many failures.

FROM H. W.

_Aug. 15