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wanted I sh'd (should) trust them for a little Hominy and provisions. I did several times, & then had to refuse. They went every where for work: no one gave them: They even went to Charleston on the R.R. track, but c'd (could) find no work. Last night I learned that Henry Jordan and Dimfrey Bird had both died in the road, when they lay down by the road - actually starved to death - xxx Now I tell you there are some who must be fed. A man with a family of 5 or 6 working hands & several small children, plead with me yesterday beyond measure for help. He thought with $3 a month of hominy he c'd (could) get through & raise his crop_xxx If there is no other way you must beg it. I know there are enough who w'd (would) be willing to help if they understood how great was the need. I helped several yesterday who said unless I did they w'd (would) starve to death. I know many cases of actual starvation. xxx It is not best to give but trust them for their food till they can earn it. xxx Look at my Coosan people, & see what they have accomplished in the 2 years I have had them in charge. Many of them have enough to buy their land, & mules, & tools, with plenty of possessions. Nearly all have paid up & are now in a thriving condition.
xxx The only thing that can make this mined country prosperous is in this way I set up each family on a small farm [[strikethrough]] by itself [[/strikethrough]] and let them work for themselves. Only think what an amt.(amount) of cotton they w'd (would) produce in the aggregate, & what an amt. of goods they w'd consume for the benefit of Northern manufacturers. This is what must be done: but the thing now is to save life, & that two at once. And you must do your part. I believe God has placed me here for this Emergency. I am in Earnest, & you must be, for it is life or death. I have turned away 2 who have actually starved to death, & I have no reason to doubt many more, but I cant do it again. I w'd rather go hungry myself xxx Do something soon