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Lieut M J De Forest, Asst Sub Asst Commissioner reports: "During the present year I have been forced to believe that the  freedpeople are wholly dependent on the Bureau and Military for justice, unless they have some ready cash, as a general thing I am confident that the planter will not act justly with the freedmen, they try to take the advantage of them in every way they can. In making settlement with them for their services I notice that they charge them with every half cent, and every half hour lost time. They always manage to figure it in such a way that there will be nothing due the freedmen; but if a white man happiness to be in the contract he always comes out ahead.
The planters in and around Chester try to do the fair thing as near as possible, and I think I know the reason for it, it is because there is some one watching them. 
As regards the Civil Authorities I am inclined to think that they administer justice to the freedmen when there is money to be had, but outside of that they care but little about his welfare, as for my part I should like to see the Bureau discontinued for a while.  I am quite confident that the Government would see the necessity of re-establishing it."

A. A Surg Chas. H. Suydam reports: "I beg leave respectfully to state that in my opinion the freedpeople are still unable to take care of themselves
 

Transcription Notes:
"them-" - a truncated word. Brought over the rest of the word, which was found at the top of the next page.