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0318

Roseland
Elizabeth City Co, Va
March, 24th 1866

To
Genl O. O Howard
Commissioner Freedmen's Affairs U.S.

My Dear Sir,
Aware from public criticisms that the late General Assembly of Virginia has not had due credit for its legislation in regard to the colored freedmen, and desiring that my State should not be misunderstood in so important a matter, I beg to sketch to you what was really done in the premises.

When you shall have learned what was actually consummated, I am very sure you will readily  concede that the late Legislature had a clear and comprehensive perception of the changed relations between the white and the black man, as wrought by the results of the Rebellion, and have done all that at this time, could be reasonably expected or asked. Protection to the personal rights of the negro, and care for his moral welfare, run throughout its enactments.

First, as to contracts for labor between white and colored
over