Note 16 — Chapter IX · “Unionism”—Black and White, in Charleston and Through South Carolina.

The disposition to “control” the negroes after the old fashion, subsequently developed itself in Eastern South Carolina, to such an extent that the military commandant considered the following order necessary:

“Headquarters Northern District, D. S., }

Charleston, S. C., June 24. }

“General Orders, No. 62.

“It has come to the knowledge of the district commander that, in some of the contracts made between planters and freedmen, a clause has been introduced establishing a system of peonage—the freedman binding himself to work out any debt he may hereafter incur to his employer. All contracts, made under authority from these headquarters, will be understood as merely temporary arrangements, to insure the cultivation of the ground for the present season. Any contract made under the above authority, which contains provisions tending to peonage, will be considered null. The officers having charge of contracts, will examine them carefully; and when they are found to contain such a clause, will notify the planters that new contracts must be made, in which the objectionable feature will be omitted. Contracts will be simply worded. Whilst acknowledging the freedom of the colored man, such expressions as ‘freed by the acts of the military forces of the United States’ will not be permitted. The attempt to introduce anything into the contract which may have the appearance of an intention, at some future day, to contest the question of the emancipation of the negroes, will be reported to the commander of the sub-district, who will examine into the antecedents of the person making the attempt, and report upon the case to district headquarters.

“By command of

“Brevet Major-General John P. Hatch.”