R. S., Jr., to C. P. W.
Coffin’s Point, Dec. 31. How well Grant appears in everything he writes as well as in everything he does! In the Weekly Advertiser just received by me, I find his report of his recent Southern tour,197 and, if I mistake not, he intimates pretty clearly that General Saxton has not managed his Department judiciously.
Mr. Philbrick has made an effort to sell the most of the plantations. As yet, however, no purchaser has appeared, and he has now about concluded to dispose of them as follows: to lease Fuller Place to N., R., and W. (the new firm who have purchased the stock on hand in store), and Cherry Hill198 to Mr. Waters, to intrust the management of Homestead to the latter gentleman, and that of Coffin’s Point to Mr. H. for account of E. S. P., and to let Mr. Williams sell the whole of Corner199 and Fripp Point to negroes. I have leased Mulberry Hill to Mr. Waters.
Negroes continue to steal cotton, and we continue to be helpless against their depredations.