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Athens Geo  Nov 1866

Genl O. O. Howard
Chf Freedmen's bureau
Washn City

Gen'l
The freedmen employed as agricultural laborers in a large portion of middle Geo. will realize almost nothing for their year's work. In former times they were only a source of proffit to their owners through the increase, and Sale of Surplus to Western planters; the lands are so poor, that the condition of the laborers cannot be materially improved hereafter. Many of them are satisfied of this fact and are willing and anxious to go west. My partner Mr Jas M. Watt of Greenwood Missi and myself, for twenty years practical cotton planters