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Office of B. R. and AL Tuscaloosa Ala 
Decr, 27th 1867

To
Maj Genl Wager Swayne
Head Dist of Ala
Montgomery.

Sir,

In reply to yours of the 17th Inst. I have the Hon, to make the following. Report, 
1st The relations between planters & freedmen as Employers & Employees, are very good, with a few exceptions. As yet however very few contracts have come to my knowledge, very few have as yet been made. The failure of crop last year, and the small price this year, seems to restrain preparations for future operations up to this time. there is a few F.M. renting ground for half the crop, with mules & provisions furnished.

2nd The Freedmen as a class have not advanced much either in intelligence or morals, especially in morals, for they seem more than ever addicted to stealing & Idleness, and are depredating to a serious extent on the stock of the country, Tenancy however will be sought for, and enjoyed by them more generally than ever before.