After the shoes, came the material for clothing.  For the men we had purchased “gray denims” and “Kentucky jeans;” for the women, “blue denims” and common calico.  These articles were rapidly taken, and with them the necessary quantity of thread, buttons, etc.  A supply of huge bandana kerchiefs for the head was eagerly called for.  I had procured as many of these articles as I thought necessary for the entire number of negroes on the plantation; but found I had sadly miscalculated.  The kerchiefs were large and very gaudy, and the African taste was at once captivated by them.  Instead of being satisfied with one or two, every negro desired from six to a dozen, and was much disappointed at the refusal.  The gaudy colors of most of the calicoes created a great demand, while a few pieces of more subdued appearance were wholly discarded.  White cotton cloth, palm-leaf hats, knives and forks, tin plates, pans and dishes, and other articles for use or wear, were among the distributions of the day.

Under the slave-owner’s rule, the negro was entitled to nothing beyond his subsistence and coarse clothing.  Out of a large-hearted generosity the master gave him various articles, amounting, in the course of a year, to a few dollars in value.  These articles took the name of “presents,” and their reception was designed to inspire feelings of gratitude in the breast of the slave.

Most of the negroes understood that the new arrangements made an end of present-giving.  They were to be paid for all their labor, and were to pay for whatever they received.  When the plan was first announced, all were pleased with it; but when we came to the distribution of the goods, many of the negroes changed their views.  They urged that the clothing, and every thing else we had purchased, should be issued as “presents,” and that they should be paid for their labor in addition.  Whatever little advantages the old system might have, they wished to retain and ingraft upon their new life.  To be compensated for labor was a condition of freedom which they joyfully accepted.  To receive “presents” was an apparent advantage of slavery which they did not wish to set aside.

The matter was fully explained, and I am confident all our auditors understood it.  Those that remained obstinate had an eye to their personal interests.  Those who had been sick, idle, absent, or disabled, were desirous of liberal gifts, while the industrious were generally in favor of the new system, or made no special opposition to it.

One negro, who had been in our employ two weeks, and whose whole labor in that time was less than four days, thought he deserved a hundred dollars’ worth of presents, and compensation in money for a fortnight’s toil.  All were inclined to value their services very highly; but there were some whose moderation knew no bounds.