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Office of Judge of Probate
Marengo County Ala
Linden Jany 10th 1868

Capt. S. C. Greene 
Montgomery

Sir - Your circular letter of the 29th ult has been received at this Office asking my views as to "the Existence and probable" of a want of employment & consequent suffering in this County, giving my views & suggestions as to the proper measures of relief - &c 

The Suffering and destitution among the white people of the County will be very inconsiderable during the present year and does not arise from want of employment, and is confined almost entirely to widows & orphans who are destitute of the means of support and who are incapable of self support. This class is quite destitute and require some assistance but the number is not large

Among the Colored people there will be a considerable number out of employment, in consequence of their helpless and destitute condition Some with large families, some invalids, and some idle and improvident, such classes find it almost impossible to find employment because their labor is not equal to their support and no one will employ such under the present unfavorable situation of affairs  But I believe that all who are able to work and who will work, and whose labor is sufficient or equal to their support can get employment if they will, one of the worst evils