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before they can realize results of their labor, and when these settlements are made (judging from past experience), they will disappoint expectations of the laborers, who having no proper forethought, or knowledge sufficient to keep accounts, do not watch so closely their expenses as is necessary for them to know how much they are anticipating, while supplies furnished by store keepers, on employers orders, are charged at a rate to cover all risk of payment. If the contracts which many Freedmen enter into, were strictly interpreted against them, fines and stoppages would make heavy inroads on their share of crops. When money wages are paid, they range from $8 to $10 per month for an able hand, and the Rations furnished being 2 1/2 lbs. Pork and 1 1/4 Peck Meal per week, a laborer must provide food for his family, entirely from his wages. Did wives and large children aid the husbands by steady labor, or did they receive a reasonable compensation for their services, when hired by the month, it would much better the condition of laborers. Civil Justice The law is administered strictly against freedmen, and Juries inflict heavy sentences within the statute perhaps, but showing prejudice exerts a decided influence. Register of Marriages Register of Marriages is incomplete. The sheets in this Office show (767) Seven hundred and Sixty Seven couples registered as husband and Wife, (1045) Ten hundred and Forty five children, and (144) One hundred and Forty four recognized by parents. Allthough informed as generally as is possible, that cohabitation on the 27" of February 1866 was by statute made legal marriage, there is too much indifference to sanctity of marriage relation, and the civil courts neglect to enforce the provisions of above act against "lewdness and adultery."
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Reopened for Editing 2023-12-10 18:45:53
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Reopened for Editing 2023-12-11 12:26:44
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Reopened for Editing 2023-12-11 16:06:23