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than they will be able to meet -

The freedpeople will I hope generally be able to find employment at other points as the demand for labor is great - but among the poor whites the distress will be less easily relieved - Governor Wells informs me that it is the custom of planters to keep provisions on hand to last them until the 1st of July so that there will be no actual suffering from want of food before that time. He also informs me that a crop of corn can yet be made for the fall and winter provided the waters subside sufficiently to permit planting by the 10th of July -

Under similar circumstances last year General Canby issued both rations and seed corn to the inhabitants, and he made the distribution through the parish police juries, which are well organized for this purpose. He is of opinion that I should make such issues at this time without further instructions from Washington, and he estimates that it will cost the Government more Four Hundred Thousand Dollars to provide for those who will require its assistance until they can be again established.