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14

thus far amounted to but little, although in each division of this Sub District, the matter has been laid before leading freedmen by the officers and agents in charge; Not that the doctrine is refused — the freedmen are indifferent to it. To drink moderately, at least, has always, in their experience, been [[strikethrough]] associated with [[/strikethrough]] sanctioned by the example of both clergy and laity; and associated with gentlemanhood. It is not, with them, deemed a scandal that their much respected preacher drinks occasionally; though I believe the best of the colored ministry refrain. Drinking is, with them, a matter of course; everyone indulges and squanders, yearly, a considerable amount; but, the evil being so nearly universal, the comparative benefits of abstinence are not strongly before the public

Further, owing to scarcity of money, indulgence is very much more limited that it would otherwise be; the freedman with his dull passive temperament cannot get up a very strong passion for liquor, and more readily conforms his habits to his means. Apparently intemperance does not exist. County officers and doctors report that they very rarely hear of or see it; this even in the most thickly settled regions

But by the use of liquor and tobacco

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-10-07 19:29:09