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ignorance and a plea of some trivial violation of contract during the year. I am clearly of the opinion that the colored people would be satisfied to know that such laws had been made as would guarantee to them protection, justice and a speedy settlement of their claims, and not to be compelled to give security or pay in advance for Attorneys fees cost of suit &c."

Fielding Hurst Supt. for McNairy County states, "that the Civil Authorities are divided, about one half or perhaps [[strikethrough]] a [[/strikethrough]] the greater part are well disposed towards the freedmen, though many are illy disposed towards any and all freedmen, even down to helpless women and children. This class give me much trouble about their settlements for past services and the dividing of crops, some are claiming enormous prices for alledged aid in moving and feeding teams and families and other various charges for aid to families, house rent, fuel &c.  Our County Courts will give no special aid to any except in a few instances where indigents have been admitted to our Poor House.  The short crops, scarcity of money and anticipations of low prices for products next year renders it impossible to procure situations for a great many