Viewing page 15 of 238

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Office Superintendent Bureau R.F. and A.L.
1st District, State of Virginia.
Norfolk Va, June 30, 1866.

General,
In compliance with letter dated, Bureau R.F. and A.L. Richmond Va, June 1st 1866. I have the honor to report.
1st The condition of the Freedmen. The middle aged and able bodied, with few exceptions, are barely able to obtain a scanty subsistence. A few are endeavoring to procure land upon which they can erect a rude shelter that they may call a home, but find such difficulty in either buying or renting land, of the owners, on account of the prejudice of their color. By the assistance rendered by the Government, in furnishing land and shelter on the Wise and Taylor Farms, about (230), two hundred and thirty, families, estimated at about (1000) one thousand persons, are enabled to procure their food and clothing of the poores quality. The aged, infirm and orphan children and wholly dependent for their support. The majority are in a state of Pauperism and will require assistance, from some source, for a long time.
2nd Whether free and complete justice will be given the Freedmen in the Civil Courts, in cases in which they are interested vs the white, depends very much upon the aid and encouragement rendered them by the
(over)

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-07-14 11:21:31