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example I can encourage those around me and stimulate them to active exertion I shall be amply compensated.  I feel Sir that it will not be unacceptable to you to learn the truth from a calm spectator and I do assure you that the prospects of the coming year are indeed gloomy.  The negroes refuse as a general thing to be employed - say that they intend to remain on the lands and many of them will I believe positively refuse [[strikethrough]] hire themselves [[/strikethrough]] to surrender their houses [[strikethrough]] or [[/strikethrough]] leave the plantations or hire themselves although liberal terms are offered for their services.  This is all predicated upon the idea that at least a [[strikethrough]] few [[/strikethrough]] moiety of the land stock &c is to be theirs.  It is needless to ask your attention to the mischievous tendency and the ruinous results of such action on the part of the Freedmen.  I mean to give the experiment. if I can procure the labor a fair trial and for this purpose forward to you my application [[strikethrough]] for labor [[/strikethrough]] - I have afforded those on the place a fair opportunity to contract with me - They refuse so to do and I shall look elsewhere 

Transcription Notes:
two question marks moiety - a part or portion, especially a lesser share.