Viewing page 261 of 286

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

the courts would have willingly taken their cases in hand and procured for them their just dues, in this matter the freedpeople needed an adviser and one who would have represented their cases to the Courts. Esquire Wm Sims, has displayed a lively interest in these matters and given them justice to such an extent that the whites dread their cases where the freedpeople are interested being brought before him.   
I find in the office of Mr Scott since the 1st of January 1867 eighty one contracts on file embracing one hundred and ninety eight hands with pay from seventy five to one hundred and seventy five dollars per year and from one third to one half interest in the crop, the majority of these contracts are for one half interest. During the months of February and March from the records there seems to have been nothing done. The majority of planters and freedmen have I understand preferred making their contracts amongst themselves and in the presence of witnesses, some few have relied upon verbal agreements. I find during the month of Dec 1866 and January 1867 fees for the simple approval of contracts have been charged as high as from two to five dollars, viz, J.H. Douglass one contract for two hands: two dollars. J.D. Shuman one contract for one hand three dollars, James Flowers one contract for three hands four dollars, S Kelleherr one contract for eight hands four dollars, J.R. Allen three contracts for one hand each three and 50/100 dollars, JR Allen one contract for two hands five dollars, J.S Moore one contract for one hand five dollars, these proceedings alone have served to place the Bureau in ill repute amongst the people. 

Miss Turner informed me Mr Scott has never visited