Viewing page 77 of 271

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

the opportunity afforded by the government to secure land & houses, but are not able to go to the Land Office upon uncertainties and if an arrangement could be effected so that they could make entries at this point I think that a large number would secure homes this fall.

It has been thought by many friends of the Freedmen that they would do better in purchasing or renting land of planters & I am not prepared to say that they would not, but I have observed that some who have the means to buy a little land have not been able to do so on account of the high prices asked and a reluctance to sell land to Freedmen, and in other cases they have eagerly bought very poor land at exorbitant prices for the sake of getting a home. 

But few disturbances have occurred and only one of a serious nature, which is supposed to have transpired in Green Co" wherein a Freedman was beaten to death. it is being investigated and as soon as sufficient evidence can be obtained will fully report the case.

Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
A. W. Pierce
Sub Asst Commr &c