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absolutely destitute, made more dependent by being cared for by government so long. It would seem the part of wisdom to prepare for the sometime necessity of withdrawing all aid from those now supported by the Bureau,- and a gradual, carefully observed, and directed transfer of all destitutes in hospital, is, in my opinion, a measure worthy of immediate consideration: unless, indeed those who before the war resided in other counties are to be sent back. Since the authorities of such counties will undoubtedly refuse to provide for such, as having gained legal residence and rights where they came from, it seems proper to take immediate measures to settle a difficulty while there are the means of doing it, so as to spare suffering. Force will be necessary to get paupers away from here or Yorktown.

The supply of labor is quite up to the demand. In the lower peninsula it is in considerable excess, and needs to be reduced by about ten thousand at least. The granting of transportation upon application until next April or May, would, I believe, very nearly reduce this population to proper numbers. As soon as the crops shall be in, there will

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-10-07 18:35:21