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Opelika January 18th 1868
Col O D Kinsman

Dear Sir I received your circular of the 29th Decr last on the 3th of January inst asking for the "fullest information as to the actual existence and probable future in this State of such want of employment and consequent suffering &c" I have delayed answering yours this long to try to ascertain as far as possible the state of things as asked for in your communication All able men who desire to get labor find no difficulty in finding employment but at very low wages not more than enough to feed and clothe them selves but women and children and men with large families find it very dificult [[difficult]] to get employment and as such that class are many of them yet without homes may of them have have rented houses and are with out employment and consequently must very soon be in a very destitute condition at least so far as their wives and families this is the cause to a great extent with the Poor class both black & white are of the principle causes of a failure to to have this class of laborers is the want of ability by those who have heretofore hired feed laborers. owing to the low price of cotton and the very high price of

Transcription Notes:
edited: its Opelika Alabama, corrections