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I inquired of the most intelligent residens what was the general condition of the freedmen, and the answers of some are given below, as reliable testimony upon the subject; at least, so as freedmen are well spoken of.

Judge Bell, County Magistrate, said; "The freedmen of Matthews Co. are eager to work; they apply to me every day for it; I find them willing to contract at fair prices for any length of time. I own a saw mill and employ colored help. Oystering is a curse to the people - it demoralizes them. I knew a man who, for two months, made eight dollars a day, now he has nothing. It is like gold digging. It interferes with crops for when oystering is over it is too late to put in crops and men are idle

"A man who cannot get negroes to work for him is, from that fact, unwilling to do them justice.

"I was not affected at all by the war; have no injuries to resent, and am in a position to feel fairly and justly to all.

"I think the freedmen are reconciled to civil authority. In the present state of finances, the supply of labor is more than equal to the deman; now is a very bad time to send them back to their homes; spring was the time.

"One half the county, some 10000 acres, [[strikethrough]] are [[/strikethrough]] is