Letter, postmarked 9 April [1862], of George H. Blake, [Port Royal, S.C.], includes messages to several family members at the Dexter, Maine, household of Amos Storer and indicates that Blake was working as a civilian "Government Agent" in charge of "half a million dollars worth of Government Property." Blake states that he was responsible for "the care, & management of 300 Negroes," and also at his disposal were horses and a "nice four oared boat - so I am not confined." "Do you ask me how I like Planters life," Blake quips; "well, it is too monotonous to suit me - nothing suits me half as well as Preaching." To a younger member of the household, perhaps Amos Storer's son Everett, he admonishes, "Never be a soldier for a business or profession in life. It is a hard life I should judge... I am glad I am not one."
