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generally improving their condition, whereas if left to themselves they would (I believe) under the idea I have often heard expressed during the past two years by leading men, and large planters.) that an educated Negro will not cultivate rice or cotton, become indolent and given to thieving, by reason of the means brought to bear upon them, to keep them ignorant and in poverty. The most valuable portions of the State would then become unproductive, and being left to the troubles following in the wake of want and misery, there would be such a condition of affairs, as would increase the expense of governing the country, beyond that of supporting the laborers; which would render the country more productive by securing for labor its just compensation and encouragement. The Revenue of the Country would be increased and the taxes diminished.

The unfortunate visits of the Caterpillar and the floods the past year, and the drought of 1866, so damaged the crops, that the people are left at this time in very straightened circumstances, but this should not be held up to view, to prove that the labors of the Officers of the Bureau have not been of much value in bringing about a better state of affairs than existed in 1865. The condition