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Island. Scarcely any attempt had been made to cultivate the land.  There were not more than two acres "listed' out in any one patch on Edisto Island. I had to discontinue the issue of rations before I could get them to work at all. I had nearly succeeded in getting them to work when the bill securing their land titles passed Congress, and every thing was again thrown into confusion. Matters are now, however, getting straight again".

An impartial comparison of the relative condition of the freedmen on the South Carolina Islands, and those in Florida and South West Georgia, clearly demonstrates that the freed people who have remained on the plantations and have been aided by the advice of sensible and practical Military and Bureau officials, are infinitely better off than those who have been assisted with rations and clothing by the Government.

In our opinion the most equitable solution of the question of the occupation of the Sea Islands and the coast under the order of General Sherman, will be to surrender the lands to the former owners on the first day of January next, requiring the land owners to pay the freedmen the value in money of all improvements made by them while occupying the lands - this to be determined by a commissioner appointed by the government. Of course we do not mean this to suggest an interference with any of the freedmen who may desire to surrender the lands they