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0996

Officers of your Department, and practical upright farmers. 

I remain, Sir, 
Very Respectfully, 
Your Obdt. Servt
James Longstreet

[[stamp]] The National Archives of the United States [[/stamp]]

New Orleans, La.
January. 31, 1866.

Longstreet - James.

States that he has already suggested the importance of securing all the laboring people for the Cotton growing section of the Country - that the only available force is that of the Freedmen - That he has understood that there is at least 100.000 of these in the States of Va, Ky and N.C. without employment, and that they will soon be a burden to the country. That the work of these laborers would produce 600,000 Bales of Cotton of the value of $75,000.000 in gold. That the labor thus organized would go for to establishing  the currency on a firmer basis, and benefiting the Freedmen.
Suggests that the freedmen be transported to the Gulf States and Arkansas for this purpose. That if the matter is worthy the attention of the government he will undertake with assistance of the Bureau, to furnish them homes and employers, and to collect from the employers the amounts the Government may expend in transportation. Suggests that the remuneration be one-sixth of the Crop with rations and clothes which would give the laborer, a Bale of Cotton or $125.00 in gold and a years supply of provisions - If action is taken in the matter it should be done at once on account of the advancement of the season, &c.

L 34. (R.F. & A.L. Vol 2) 1866

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