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reasons, which we think, urgently demand your presence, and personal influence.

First - Notwithstanding every effort which has been made, to enter into contracts with the freedmen for the coming year they persistently refuse to do so

It is a matter of vital importance that the lands which are intended to be planted for another year, should be put in order at the earliest moment, and that some direct influence should be brought to bear upon the freedmen, to induce them to contract, at once, and enter upon their labors. The planting of all crops in this section, but of rice, more especially, requires that the seed should be sown in the latter part of February or early in March and to make that effectual, the preparation of the land should commence immediately.

So far as we are informed, the prominent cause of their refusal to contract appears to be an undefined idea that about Christmas or the New Year, some imaginary advantage is to accrue to them from the operations of the Bureau and it is of the utmost importance, that