From the Richmond Daily Dispatch December 3, 1862:
Negro Patriotism.
–Benj. Marable, Esq., of Halifax county, Va. has four negro men who, for some time, have been engaged working on the fortifications at Richmond. A few days ago they came up home on a visit, and finding good warm clothing, excellent shoes and socks made for them they generously declined them, on condition that their master would send them to the suffering soldiers who, they said, needed them much more than they did. They had seen suffering soldiers, and in touched their hearts to compassion; besides they want the South to conquer. Now. how many miserable money grabbers and Shylocks, with white skin, but hearts blacker than the hied of these contrabands, would have been as self-sacrificing, generous, and magnanimous? Not one! The articles thus contributed by these colored would buy several barrels of corn, at the price — Let many “white” man think of this. –Milton Chronics.
Matching Gift Opportunity
From the same issue:
A Liberal Proposition.
–At a meeting of citizens, held on Wednesday evening, Major W. T Sutherlin proposed that he would contribute $2,500 worth of leather to the Confederate Government, to be made into shoes for the soldiers and their families, provided the citizens of Danville would contribute an additional $2,500 for similar purposes, to make the amount donated to this praiseworthy object from the citizens of the town $5,000 He, however, expresses his purpose to contribute the $2,500, whatever might he the action of other citizens.–Danville (Va) Register.
I’m not sure how much leather $2500 Confederate would buy in late 1862, but here’s evidence that inflation was even affecting the newspaper business:
The Dispatch.
The immense increase in the cost of everything which goes to make up the newspaper makes it impossible to continue our present terms and publish a sheet which can reflect credit on the publishers and be gratifying to the reader. The present appearance and arrangement of the Dispatch is not at all agreeable to the editors, and cannot give satisfaction to the public. The better to accommodate it to the order of the day, and to improve it and increase its interest, we have determined to adopt the following as our table of rates:
Subscription.
Daily paper, per annum $8.00
Daily paper, six months 5.00
Daily paper, three months 3.00
Daily paper, one months 1.00
Semi Weekly paper, per annum 5.00
Weekly paper, per annum 3.00
Advertising.
One square, of eight lines, first insertion 75 cts.
Each continuance 50 cts.
These terms are not advanced in proportion to the general enhancement of everything. They will better accommodate the paper to the exigency of the times, and enable us to make such improvement in each of its departments as will be gratifying both to our readers and ourselves. These improvements will more than compensate for the moderate advance in our charges.
