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4.
toward the Freedmen. Yet the hope heretofore entertained by him that they would be allowed and encouraged to remain among them receive protection and exercise their civil and political rights undisturbed. has somewhat diminished of late. They the (Freedmen) are industrious as a general thing their labors seem to be strengthened with a desire to secure permanent homes for themselves., their late political aggrandisement (the right to vote) seems to affect them but little and without political influence being brought to bear they would care little to exercise the privilege.

John Lawrence Agent For Davidson County reports February 28th 1867.

The condition of the freedmen in this city and county on the whole was never more prosperous.

The great body of them are steadily employed at remunerative wages.  Their general sobriety and good conduct is acknowledged even by those who have always maintained that slavery is a