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I cannot close this report without adding a thought or two suggest by this trip.
     In the richer agricultural portions of the state, where there is a law-abiding spirit, and where there are few idlers of either class, the Freedmen are working with such zeal and sprit, that our free labo[[r]] system has already gained many friends and advocates. I listened with deep interest to a conversation between a merchant & a large planter owning two estates on the Chattahoochee River five miles from Columbus. The planter remarked that his freedmen had done more work since Jan 1st than they had ever done before in the same time. The merchant replied, with marked surprise, "more than when slaves?" The planter replied, "if they had not accomplished more, they have shown a better spirit, things move on more smoothly." This is not an isolated case, nor is this planter an exception. I have similar remarks whenever candid men meet. Go when you will and you can but on more smoothly unquote.  This is not an isolated case, nor is this planter an exception.  I have similar remarks whenever candid men reflect.  Go where you will, and and you can but