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0004

and a very large number of the people are going to the country to work.

Subsequently to the sending of Mr. Webster to Jacksonville, a meeting of "Loyal Citizens" was called at Fernandina, and several resolutions offered & adopted that gave great offence to the main body of the citizens of the place; this however has not influenced me, but the resolutions were very distasteful to myself and detrimental to the best interests of the Freedpeople.  The Governor, and Gen'l Foster, each, requested me to send an officer there and investigate the matter.  Consequently I sent Major Piatt under Special Order 26 - and still urged upon him to take all proper means, to reduce the colored population of the town to a working basis.

In my own mind, General, I am confident the course I pursue in this matter is the correct one.  I may in a measure "Be cruel to be kind", but I assure you I am more kind than those people who would induce the Freedpeople not to work for the "Ex Rebels" -  In no place in the State do these people ask or even desire rations or clothing except at these two towns; everywhere else in the state, they work with a good will and earn large wages, and large wages are offered at these towns, but the people will not accept them.

I have not thought necessary to send more documents than the Special Orders with this report, and yet I thought better to make this [[strikethrough]] this [[/strikethrough]] report to you in time to indicate my course and intentions.  There are many people in Fernandina and perhaps in Jacksonville who think differently on this great labor question, from what I do.

One word more in regard to the demoralization at Jacksonville -  Every abandoned magazine in the old fortifications has a family in it.