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whites and freedmen in the District from October 1st 1865 to March 1st 1866. It is based upon what seems to be complete returns, with the exception of the month of February 1866., in which I have found record of only one issue, which, perhaps, may have been the only one made in that month. The statement is hereto appended, marked "A".

From reports left by Col. Washburn and the officers Capt. Whiting and Lt. Logan, who succeeded him. I also present a more detailed statement of the rations issued to the same class of persons from March 1st 1866., to October 31st 1866., inclusion. This statement is also hereto appended, marked "B".

The records give indications of some property transactions under the Executive Order from Washington, dated Nov. 11th 1865., but I am unable to give any definite reports concerning them. There is no inventory or record in this office of any property sold under its direction.

The last contract registered at this office was made July 12th 1866., and is numbered 9606. The form of contract which has been used here is hereto appended, marked "C". There has hitherto been no attempt as far as I can discover, to ascertain what has been the working of the contract system, and how the freedmen and employer have observed their contract, and I am utterly unable to give any definite information on that point. My impression derived from observations while on duty outside of the Bureau, and from such inquiries as I have been able to make since my assignment here is that these contracts have been generally mutually observed quite as well as could be expected under the circumstances.
There are employers who abuse and defraud the freedmen, and there are freedmen, who, filled with false notions,
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