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the Planter having gained the confidence of his Laborers about settling time, shipped the whole crop and by evident collusion with the commission merchant retains the Freedmens share on some old recorded Lien against the Planter.
Although it would entail a vast amount of labor upon Bureau Officials in planting Districts. Yet I think that all who have not contracts filed in, or approved by the Bureau Office, should be required to submit their final settlements for inspection.
I know of several instances where the Freedmen are being charged fifty cents per day for lost time from whatever cause lost, and they are at work. in some cases for one third and others one half of the crop and furnishing their own rations. Of course that would not be allowed in the settlement, if made by a Bureau Official. But otherwise it will be deducted from their share of the crop.  All contracts provide that disobedience, or most my slight defect shall be sufficient ground for forfeiture of all wages &c. at the option of the party of the first part, when contracts are submitted to this office, such provisions are qualified by requiring the case to