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Carthage Smith County Tenn.
February 1st 1866.

Brig. Genl. Fisk
Nashville Tenn.

Dear Sir – I herewith enclose to you a Report of my work since I have been appointed Agent for this County taken from my Books.

Not having received your "Manual" until within the last few days. This covers all contracts entered to this date, by examination of which you will fnid [find] a large portion of said contracts are for a portion of the Crop – which I have invariably advised and encouraged and not money. On the whole they have been satisfactory to the Employer and the Employee.

Your "Manual" I find has been generally complied with Section by section and should it become necessary I will even Canvass the County in the Spring -

You will find 132 Contracts entered and a good many expected this Month, and I will try and conform to the regulations here after given in every particular.

I am happy to inform you that generally speaking there is a great desire with the former owners and Whites to give the Freedmen in my County fair and reasonable wages for their services.

I am respectfully
Your obt Servt
J.M. Shoemake Agt.

Transcription Notes:
the letter 'p' can often be translated into 'ss' as in "necepary" and "canvap"