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producing this alarming State of destitution.

It is indeed difficult for those, not familiar with the peculiar condition of affairs in the State and the actual wants of our people, to conceive that such an amount of destitution and suffering should exist amongst a people willing to work and disposed to make an effort to relieve themselves.

Ex Governor Parsons during his administration as Provisional Governor, as early as the 30th of September 1865, desiring to ascertain the extent of this destitution, in order that provision might possibly be made by Legislation to relieve it, sent to the Probate Judges of each of the Counties of the State a circular letter requesting them to inquire into and report:

1st  The number of indigent families in their respective counties?
2nd  The number of persons in each family?