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that would hasten a trial. But it is my duty to be ready so as not to make a continuance necessary on the part of the state.
Comparatively few cases of suffering are reported, and for those cases we have no means of relief except private charity. The county poor house amounts to precious little, and the city has done nothing yet. 
Only a few cases of violations of contract in this county have been reported. 
A rumor has been very widely circulated among the Freedmen in the middle portion of the state that Freedmen and white men dare not make any contracts for next year, that for making a contract a white man will be fined $500 00 and a Freedmen $50 00
The claim business since we received orders to make them up has become quite lively, and we have succeeded in getting a considerable number of old claims through during the month. 
As the Freedmen will soon be enfranchised. I think it is the duty of the Agents of the Bureau to devote a good deal of attention toward their proper political instruction and organization"