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until the expiration of the year; and if settlements under such contracts for 1868, are to result as so many did - for labor and crops - of 1867, the freedmen will not find themselves - as a class - in any better circumstances than won.

Civil Justice The administration of justice in this county, better deserves to be called impartial, than in most. The Prosecuting Officer is prompt but not vindictive; and the Offences for which parties were sentenced to the Penitentiary - at last term of the court - were of an aggrivated [[aggravated]] nature - arson and conspiracy to rob. Several of the Magistrates are - I believe - impartial in the broadest sense of the word.

Register of Marriages No Register of Marriages has been made in Cumberland Co. Freedmen understand and are constantly reminded that the operation of the Act of February 27th 1866, legalizes cohabitation as marriage, but the marriage tie is very slightly regarded, even by those regularly married since the passage of the Act. Public Example and public opinion tolerate - if nor encourage "lewdness and adultery", and the civil authorities take no action whatever towards checking or punishing this demoralization.

Poor The means at command of the County Officers are limited, but indigent freedpeople are received and cared for at the Poor House. Few - however - will enter the Poor House, and the freedmeen virtually support their own poor.

Labor Though all may be employed if they wish, there is not food or capital enough in this County to render labor profitable, and 

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