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before the planters discharge them, while the people have refused to dig, they charge them exorbitant fines &c; this I have come right square out against and have told the freedmen that where it occurred I would interfere [[to have division time cause—?]]
Here are contracts approved in my office containing stipulations that read in this double meaning, or as you might say most any kind of meaning way viz— "For disobedience of lawful commands of [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] me or my agent to be discharged with for failure of crop,"
I would never approve such papers— who is going to decide about the lawful commands me? but the officer here, and he never hears of it until the people begin to get pinched with startvation— Things are bad here, they are perplexingly bad, and I solemnly avow that to get out of this mind worrying— harassing job— I should be willing to go home,
I will not half do anything, and when I get at these cases I hate to back out, but I don't know but what I shall have to do it— The whole amount of the thing in my mind is that the less the freedpeople have next spring the better the planters will like it, regarding labor &c, The people swear they will not dig ditches, and the farmers will not thresh the crop, and then turn them off for disobedience: and if they did divide it, the freedpeople would not dig ditches— Now what is to be done general?
I have had a case of serious row on one place & shall prefer charges against 3 white men and one colored for [[strikethrough]] carry [[/strikethrough]] using deadly weapons.
In haste Faithfully yours E.N. Everson