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Pine Bluff Arkansas
Jany 13th 1868

Genl Howard.
W. City.

Dear Sir.
I am a Cotton Planter near the village of Pine Bluff; I commenced cotton growing in 1832, and owned when the war began 275 Negroes. 
I have seen a Notice of your plan as suggested to Congress, to partly relieve this pressing and immediate necessity of the Freedmen, and enable them to grow a crop this year. 
I write this simply, today, that the Planters are not in a condition, to employ the Freedmen, because they have not credits, or means, to procure provisions & clothing. The loan which you propose is a practical remedy, and such a Lien can be given, the Government, upon the crop as to return, this money, the first crop.