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73

able-bodied men.

In the mountain districts the extensive] destitution prevails. In the "cane brake" lands, fair crops have been made, and there is no necessity for a large issue of rations in that part of the State. There may be individual cases of suffering, and perhaps great want, but the authorities of these counties should be able to relieve such.

In the counties of Randolph, Coosa, St. Clair, Shelby, Bibb, Jefferson, Blount, Winston, Walker, Marion, Pickens, Laurence, Morgan, Marshall, DeKalb, Cherokee, portions of Tallapoosa, Talladega, Calhoun and Franklin, the greatest amount of destitution exists. In these Counties the crops have almost completely failed. The crops are the only source of income, and their failure has left the people without money or food. They are unable to pay taxes, and the counties have no other revenue, and hence no means of procuring supplies. Governor Patton informed we that he had expended $50,000. in State bonds for relieving destitution, and that he could not obtain a further supply upon the credit of the State.  This supply had been exhausted, and the daily appeals for aid were increasing

I saw at the different points which I visited, destitute women and children who had walked a long distance to seek