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on the Mississippi. St Francis, White, Blacke, Arkansas, Ouachita and Red Rivers has been overflowed with water during the greater part of the month. Up to this time the prospect for fine crops were unusually flattering but since then work has almost stopped, and to a race so easily discouraged, I shall look for some falling off in industry and courageous effort. Yet a favorable change in the weather and in rapid receding of the waters of these rivers may correct this disposition, and a fair crop may be yet raised and the labor of the freedmen be tolerably well rewarded.

Special Relief Fund

The Special Relief Fund as provided in the Joint Resolution passed by Congress for the relief of the destitute in the Southern States came in a very opportune moment and I am happy to state that much suffering and distress has been alleviated by the free distribution of the same. Agents who have had the distribution of the same have been energetic and faithful. There was but little distributed in the State during the month of May. But during