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registration.  On examination at these Head Quarters, it seems that the request of Capt. McDonnell did not come to hand.

It is reported to me by the officers that through the District in general there is a decided disposition on the part of the whites to cheat the freedmen Numerous complaints are made about the latter not being paid for their last years work.-

The whites often object to make any written contracts and in consequence of this a very small proportion of the labor in the Valley is under written contracts although the officers have done their duty in giving instruction to the freedpeople on this Subject.  Several instances were also given me where white persons were in search of labor, but refused to hire if contracts were to be submitted to an officer of the Bureau.

The Surgeon at Winchester Dr. Robert H Atwood reports a favorable sanitary condition and gives the most emphatic denial to the oft repeated assertion that the negroes are dying out.  He has been in charge since January 1866,- and says that there are more births than deaths among them.  Also that the mortality among them has not been as great in proportion to their numbers as among the whites.

The Schools at Winchester would be more prosperous with a more efficient male teacher.  The gentleman in charge Mr. R.J. Young seems to mean very well but to lack energy and tact.

In my opinion the condition of Harper's Ferry requires special attention.

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