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13

Commanding General.

There seems to be a disposition on the part of employees to submit their contracts with freed men to this Office, and many of the freed people seem to have been informed that the Bureau has no authority. The consequence of this omission works great hardship, sometimes on both parties, but the employer is the party in fault. He knows the rule and yet conceals the necessity for its observance from the ignorant freedmen.

Much dissatisfaction exists among the freed men, owing to the fact that they have not been fairly dealt with, on their last years work. In nine cases out of ten, the freed men has been the sufferer.

There will be less cotton and more corn raised in this county than last year. The freedmen are disposed to be industrious and desire to be saving and thrifty.

A disposition is manifest however to oppress the freedmen more than ever, and I regret I cannot report any change of feeling for the better. Indeed recent political