AND WHERE TO FIND ONE. 283 



pacification of the country wrested from rebels and added 

 to the domain of the Union. The difficulties which our 

 armies have experienced during the progress of war among 

 hostile populations will, in this department, be prepared for 

 the secessionists, should they ever return to the sea islands. 

 After men have paid for land, and begin its cultivation, 

 they believe it to be truly theirs, and they will fight to de 

 fend their rights of ownership. Planting will immediately 

 follow the occupation of lands. Thus a new population of 

 workingmen, white and negro, will take possession of the 

 territory abandoned by the secessionists. Industry and 

 production will follow closely the armies in the field. Every 

 owner of twenty or forty acres, having bought and paid in 

 part at least for his homestead, will feel that he has an 

 interest in his country. The exhaustion of the productive 

 forces that usually remains as the worst evil of a state of 

 war, and that brings with peace a mere syncope of national 

 vitality, will be hereby obviated. The negro population of 

 the sea islands is about 18,000, of whom one-fifth are eligi 

 ble to pre-empt. In addition to these, the soldiers, sailors, 

 and civilians who are likely to claim land are numerous. 

 It is believed that under the new rule very little land will 

 be left unoccupied. Deeds for lands pre-empted will not 

 be given until the process of cultivation has begun, to prove 

 the good faith of the persons proposing to buy it. Under 

 the guidance of their friends the former cultivators of the 

 soil are staking off their claims. Whole plantations are 

 being settled by families of owners formerly slaves upon the 

 same estates. Generally, the former superintendents of 

 plantations are preparing to settle among their late pupils 

 and subordinate laborers. The place is thrown open to 

 immigration and settlement. At this time, furniture, 

 household utensils, farmers and mechanics tools, strong, 

 durable clothing and materials for the wear of both sexes, 



