ell tales of others, of which themselves are the true subjects,
and from whom all the artifices of the lawyer cannot draw a fair
statement of fact, even when it is obviously for their own interest to
tell the whole truth. "Wherefore he is called the everlasting Niggah."

I have had my grumble, and I feel better. What I have said "has truth
in it, only distorted." I am not actually miserable, though one might
draw that inference from these remarks. The fact is that, the novelty
of this life having worn off after fifteen months of the "useful
experience," the life, as was to be, and was expected, loses something
of its satisfaction, and one is more open to the effect of the
vexations and annoyances than when the interest was fresh and the work
new and untried. It is not so much that one is annoyed by the work
itself, but the imperfections of the system under which we are
obliged to work grow more clear and are continually presented in
various forms. The only satisfactory thing would be to reconstruct the
system on the plantation, first, by turning off all the hands not
wanted; second, by adopting a new system in regard to the privileges
and compensation of the people. The privileges are, free houses, free
land for provision crops, free use of wood, and, with certain
restrictions, of the animals and implements. I should do away with
these privileges, making them pay house-rent and land-rent, making
them pay for their wood, if of certain qualities, and for the use of
teams and implements--for their own work. Then I should increase their
wages, with fixed prices for the various kinds of work. I should wish
to be able to discharge any one whose work did not suit me, and remove
him from the plantation. These reforms cannot possibly be instituted
now, and can never be, probably, on this island. In the meantime, if
the people were only honest and truthful, other matters would be of
comparatively little account, but they are the most provoking set, in
this respect, that you can easily conceive. They are almost
incorrigible.

REUBEN TOMLINSON TO C. P. W.

_Oaks, Oct. 30._ I have appointed you one of a "Commission" of three,
to meet in the "Study" at R.'s place on Wednesday, November 4, at
10 A. M. The first case that will probably come before you will be
that of the disputed ownership of a "boat," now in the possession of
one "Limus," purveyor to General Gillmore, but which is claimed by
"Barkis," who lives at Hilton Head. Bo