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9

The general condition of the freedmen I can best make understood by presenting the following transcribed statements of parties representing all classes.

A laborer in the fields when accosted, said; "I think the rebels wont treat us well; they'd kick up a muss with us quick but they're shy.  I have no good thoughts about them.  Some pay us for our work, and some don't, the old stain is in their blood, and never will be out, they'll never get used to black men gitting up and talking."
"If the Bureau goes we'll all have to pitch in together - the secesh would not pay us for our work - there would certainly be trouble."

Benjamin L. Marmix, loyal white, said - "The whites and blacks are very hostile, whites impose them in trade and in renting of lands - they are never checked, when they get the power, there'll be no living here; blacks, rather than submit, would take up arms.  I keep a store and hear both sides talk; there is no good feeling; whites are dour on blacks, now that they are free; colored people, as a rule are polite and courteous. Whatever trouble they make is caused by whiskey.  There is a small class of secesh who are perfectly fair, between these & cannot trust because they are badly influenced