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I care but believe this will pass away. While the people have faith only in slavery as a successful mode of labor they recognize the fact that the negro must still be the laborer where formerly they were driving away these people now they are inviting them to stay. In many cases husbands and families must then dare join the others.

Among the whites, I regret being compelled to say little loyalty to the U.S. Govt exists. With too many of the oath of allegiance is a mockery, openly professed so they take the oath for the privileges it confers, nothing else. With the returned soldiers this is somewhat different.  They are men generally who have found some employment and are working by honest industry to retrieve a part of the wreck which years of war have made of their fortunes blank. Country is in the advance in various parts of the Monroe Co the life of a citizen is in constant peril. I have recommended to the General Court the necessity of sending to this county a comprehensive military force.  Two companies of Infantry, one mounted and one colored, have been sent to Claiborne but this will probably be increased.  

We have now a full company at St Stephens, the shire-town of Washington County, under the command of a most excellent officer, Capt Smith. At Grove Hill, the shire-town of Blanke County, the grand jury is today in session with the assurance that all irregularities shall be investigated.

Transcription Notes:
shire-town: a town where a court of superior jurisdiction (such as a circuit court or a court with a jury) sits