Viewing page 31 of 238

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

0505
to whom what has been said of the unemployed in Elizabeth City will fully apply.
County of James City. Lieut Morton Asst Supt reports fifty unemployed; I think the number larger and due, very much, to idle fishermen and to the unwillingness of freedmen to work when payment is so uncertain.
In the other counties of this District there are none reported unemployed and labor is in some demand.
The following considerations are, I believe, worthy of notice.
The crop planted in each county was predicated upon the amount of labor in that county. planters not feeling safe in counting upon getting other help; hence the harvest season has not much more than fully absorbed the labor of those residing in the counties.
Idle children, at this season the schools being suspended, are very numerous and I think vagrancy should in some way be punished. I have sent to Boston, Mass. during the past month one hundred and three unemployed freedpeople where excellent homes have been secured.