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7
attain by faithful labor & education.

We heard all along our route, but more particularly among the large planters, such complaints as would be expected; that the negroes were idle, inclined to stroll about & neglect their work.  Many complaints were also made of insolence & insubordination; but not one complaint that we recollect of actual violence on the part of any negro to a white man.  Their discontent & insolence was very much increased also by a belief which we found very common among them, & which we made it our business to eradicate, viz:  that all the property of their former owners was to be divided among themselves.

We also heard many reports of flogging & abuse on the part of the masters, & not a few cases where white men had threatened to shoot the negroes.  As a general thing we do not believe the planters are disposed to abuse their former slaves; their feeling is rather one of utter discouragement & hopelessness of ever being able to turn their lands to account with free labor.  Still it must be remembered that these rebels are conquered not converted; their sentiments are not changed though their power is gone - It will not do to trust them too far, however fair may be their professions-

We find where we have been