Jourdon Anderson...August 7, 1865

The primary source I found was a letter written by a former slave named Jourdon Anderson. Written August 7, 1865 and location Dayton, Ohio, the letter was written to his former Master Colonel P.H. Anderson a year after the Civil War. In his letter, Jourdon discusses what good could his former Master offer him. His letter is a reply to a letter he received from Colonel P.H. Anderson, who had asked him to return to work for him.  What I found the most interesting about the letter is that Jourdon and his wife Mandy were considering going back if the promises of the old master were true. Jourdon demanded higher wages, to be treated fairly and kindly. He wanted to know was there more opportunities for coloreds if he returned.  Jourdan even made reference that he hopes the good Lord had open Colonel Anderson's eyes to the wrong he had done to Jourdon. Towards the end of the letter I inferred it as Jourdon telling Anderson to make sure that the young white males on his farm leave his daughters alone. This letter hinted to a lot of things I already knew about slavery. The unfair treatment, low wages, violence, sexual violence, but this letter now demonstrates an equal level of power. Before the proclamation, Jourdon would not have been allowed to make such demands like this, but since he now has freedom he can demand what he wants. This letter also plays on the loyal slave and master relationship. Jourdon said that even after Colonel Anderson shot at him for seeking his freedom, he forgave him.  He cared that his former master was alive and well, and he even said that any black would be happy to be an Anderson slave. The letter was quite interesting; when I thought of freed Black I always anticipated that their views towards white would be negative. I am sure some were negative, but Jourdon’s response was quite different.