Viewing page 55 of 234

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Bureau R. F. and A. Lands
Office A.S.A.C 1st Div. 3rd Sub-Dist. Va.
Richmond Va. Apr. 16th 1868.

Respectfully returned to Lieut. Paul R. Hambrick Sub-Asst. Com'r.
In my monthly report on the condition of Freedpeople for Dec. 1867 I stated that within the next sixty days all the Tobacco Factories in Richmond will have resumed operations upon this informations which in a measure was derived from Tobacco laborers themselves who had it seems been promised labor at intermediate periods I based my estimate for Jan. believing that the destitution during said month would be considerable less than in December. On the 29th, of Feb, last I again reported that I had been greatly disappointed about the Tobacco Factories resuming operations. At the above date it seems that there were but four out of the twenty=eight Factories in operation; some of these factories I understand are still idle. In making estimates for each month since November last I was governed by the firm belief that these factories resuming operations at various periods would relieve the Bureau of the support of a large number of Freedmen. I was also governed by the number of rations issued for the same months during the preceeding year at which time it was known that great destitution prevailed  These Tobacco Factories when in operation furnished employment to several thousand operatives who have been the chief sufferers during the winter.
Benj. C. Cook
Asst. Sub Asst Comr.
E. and M. 364 Vol. 1st 67 & 8. 

Transcription Notes:
Reopened for Editing 2023-12-07 13:20:14 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-12-07 15:59:09