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so much of the crop as might be needed, be taken from under the mortgage, to buy the labor for the years of 1866 & 1869 - 
The cotton crop is being sold at so low a price that but little if anything remains of the crop after the merchants mortgages for advances is paid - This renders the protection to labor under G.O.No 13 of little avail to the ones it was intended to protect. Nineteen twentieths of the Plantations and crops in Dallas county are mortgaged to the cotton merchant. If G.O.13 had, only excepted prior liens for labor, the remedy would have been complete in its application.  
I return the communication without other recommendation
I have the Honor to be
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servant
Geo Shorkley
Capt. Vet. Inf. Bvt. Maj. A.S.A.
Sub Asst. Commr.