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4

ignorant class is created, affording the most fruitful conditions of immorality and vice. A social earthquake is needed, and nothing less than the suspension of the stay law, and negro suffrage will bring it about.

In the counties of Matthews and Gloucester, the freedmen are, Lieut Chandler thinks, rather better off than in James City, where he has been for some time on duty. He states, however, that, during this winter some will suffer extremely for want of the necessaries of life. The County of Matthews being deeply in debt, the collection of its taxes stayed and having, practically, no sheriff, is able to do but little for its poor.

With Gloucester Co. I am less familiar than with any in my sub. dist.; the freedmen have but little and ask for nothing. Taxation is compartively