John Mccoy relates his dialogue with his master, when he informs him that the American government has freed the black slaves, and from that moment on, he was free to go.
However, McCoy suggests that freedom was incomplete, since if he left the field and work, he would not have clothing or food, without being paid for that. In other words: Many black american would not have their basic needs supplied, basic rights of the human being. They would not get jobs as white americans wouldn't hire them. Many of them were in that condition. Due to that reason, we would be compelled to stay and keep working, just as many black americans in that time.