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[[Left Margin]] Temperance [[/Left Margin]]
The Freedmen are generally temperate, moe so that the whites, The work of forming societies has not prospered on the account of the political excitement
[[Left Margin]] Taxation [[/Left Margin]]In this Division, as elsewhere in the Sub Dist. great complaint is made by the Freedment in reference to the Poll taxes which are very onerous to them, they being generally poor, The poll taz in Nansemond County is $3 73/100 per poll an din Isle of Wight Co $2 73/100 There has been considerable difficulty in the collection of these taxes the Freedmen regarding the burden as a very unequal one, being therefore averse to pay it
[[Left Margin]] Capt Barnes Agent [[/Left Margin]]
Mr Jno W. Barnes Agent of the Bureau for this Division is a capable officer and has been faithful in the performance of his duties, His duties in connection with the Board of Registration, of which he is President; have, however, prevented him from giving that full attention to Freedmens affairs in Isle of Wight Co which the interest of the Freedpeople there demand. Captain Barnes has been directed to make regular visits to that County, in future, and it is hoped that complaints will be less frequent. It is very desireable should the exigencies of the service admit of it to have an Agent of the Bureau for Isle of Wight Co as a Division of the Sub District with Head Quarters at Smithfield Capt Barnes records are well and neatly kept according to the requirements of the Bureau Officers Manual.