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contracts made before I came here. Both of these have been examined on the ground by Col Wright, and are believed to be just claims, though it is thought the large one can be compromised. It seems to me unwise for the Government to undertake the business of farming, in this manner. As orders were already received to pay the claim of Mr Alcorn, and supposed the other would be disposed of in the same way, it was thought best to put them both in the estimate and get authority to pay what is found to be necessary with a view to getting them out of the way as soon as possible. 
As we get in a little money, uses for it multiply. It is hoped that before long a direct act of Congress will measurably remove the struggle between humanity and discretion by laying down a precise line of expenditure, with definite means. Some items in the estimate sent this week will explain what I mean. Except that for a Hospital at Talladega which is mainly the forwarding of an application all are believed to be provided on strict necessity or part expenditures. The price of rents here is enormous, $1,500 to $3,000 for dwellings, $2,000 to $7,000 for stores, and everything else is in proportion. Corn is $2.25 per bushel, an important factor in the problem of destitution. 
I am in receipt of Col Woodhulls letter of , by your order, referring to the Monroe County Agricultural Association. The question of the right of the freed people to hold real estate did not escape me, but I did not think it worth while to raise it. Even before the war, free negroes had

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the same rights here as white persons in this respect, and it has never been denied them since. They constantly exercise it under our system here, which administers laws in this as in all other respects, without distinctions on account of color, and I have taken it for granted that these people would never be abandoned by the General Government till this, with other rights, was secured to them in perpetuity. I am satisfied no bill to deprive freedmen of this particular right can become a law in this State. 
Meanwhile this idea is taking root. Having been advised of a meeting in Conecuh Co, I sent the officer who met you at Jackson to attend it. They adopted the Monroe Articles word for word. Chaplain Buckley was pleased with what he saw and recommends the man elected President. I have learned of similar meetings held or about  to be in Clarke and Wilcox Counties, and I suppose the results will be before me when the Legislature meets. 
I wrote you some time since that I was not satisfied with the working of the courts here, and thought the difficulty arose not so much from a denial of justice as from failure to use its ordinary means. Several cases of outrages have come to my knowledge, perpetrated by men in disguise, and in the night. I have thought much how to correct this evil and am disposed to try the means used elsewhere to stimulate justice, i.e. rewards. Thus with your approval I should like to advertise pretty widely that I will give a reward of $1,000 for the apprehension and conviction of the parties who in Mobile, have burned three churches within six months. And there are two other cases in other parts of the