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efficiency to carry out the spirit of the law, creating the Bureau. All the commissioned officers are employed as Registering officers and with but one or two exceptions have discharged their duties acceptably to the Commanding General and to the entire satisfaction of loyal citizens.
The condition of the freedmen has much improved within the year, they are getting settled in permanent houses, are industrious, and are learning habits of providence and economy. Everywhere they evince strong desire to become the owners of land, and many have purchased small lots. I heard but few complaints from employers, of the indolence of the negroes. The approaching election with its preliminary incidences has in some locations somewhat unsettled industrial pursuits, and been a cause of slight disturbance among the freedmen themselves. In many instances itinerant political speakers and managers indiscreet men have been the cause of much trouble. They have abused the trust reposed in them, and have given the less intelligent freedmen, false and erroneous notions as to