Viewing page 133 of 230

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

4th Division
Halifax County

General Condition
The general condition of Freedmen in Halifax County, shows little improvement compared with what could reasonably to expected after three years liberty. They are mostly working for share of crops, and if the settlement under contracts for 1868, result as many did under contracts for 1867, (some of which are not yet arranged) freedmen will be as poor in March 1869 as March 1868, The high cost of supplies advanced on account, will make sad inroads into this share of crop, even if accounts are honestly kept, which is far from being the rule with employee in Halifax Co. There is also more complaint of irregularity in labor than in other Counties, but so far as I could ascertain, this complaint is without solid foundation, since political gatherings have become less frequent. David Canada, delegate to late convention, has encouraged these meetings more than was prudent, but his advice has not been of such a character as to excite animosity between White and colored people, though sadly lacking in judgement and illy calculated either to benefit the freedmen or advance the cause of Republicanism 

Civil Justice
There is no special grounds for complaint that administration of Justice is partial, but however fairly inclined the Court and officers may be, the juries are, and will be, governed by prejudice, to the disadvantage of freedmen.

Register of Marriages
No Register of Marriages under Cir 11 S. 1866 Head Quarters Asst. Comm'r of Va has been made in Halifax Co and to make such Registry now would be difficult and expensive.  The old fast and loose slave association is too general, and it is neither rebuked by public opinion, nor will the civil authorities enforce the Statute against "lewdness and adultery."

The Poor
A liberal appropriation has been made by the Court for support of the poor, and no complaints are made that relief is refused to proper objects of charity.  No