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0801

Bureau Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands,
Office 1st Div, 1st Sub-District, Va.
Norfolk, Va. Oct 10 1867

General                              

When Gen Howe left here he directed me to go to Taylor farm as often as possible. I went there on Sunday to attend a meeting called for the purpose of learning what the people intended to do, whether they intended to leave the place or not.  A very large Meeting was held. information was given them of Certain persons in Norfolk & Princess Ann Counties who wished to sell land to them or any other Colored people at a fair price. They were perfectly willing when Gen Howe was here to buy land if it could be procured for them on reasonable terms.  Black & Butter, who were absent when Gen Howe was on the farm, were present on Sunday and advised the people to buy no land. but to remain where they were.  Seeing that nothing could be done in the matter of inducing then to leave I said nothing until several of them had spoken & the meeting about to adjourn.  I then informed them if they remained on the farm until the Civil law & courts were again released from Military Control which was exercised over them now. Mr Taylor would

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-11-04 17:16:56