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could do nothing — & would drop the whole thing, they insisting  that the Colored people would not work in any other way. When told that all wanted work or to rent lands, & that it was true generally that many large Planters were getting on well with this farming and all that was necessary was to use them well, & if they would not do that we see no other way but to advise such as were not wanted enough to secure for them fair treatment, to go to Florida or back to other Counties. They expected what they asked for, but after a rather close consideration of the whole subject and they finding their was no chance for them on their terms they very readily assented to our policy, which is in substance, mutually to confer together, make agreements to hire them by families if possible, or rent them or sell them lands which will attach them to the soil and in that way put in cultivation all the lands possible, so as to greatly increase [[strikethrough]]to[[/strikethrough]] the number of hands wanted  & thus enable them to recover their lost fortunes & we hope reputation also, as far as possible. To this they fully assented, & promise to call a large meeting & mature a full report with their reasons, & forward it to you this week.