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Most of them are very destitute & have but small crops coming in hardly enough to feed their families & the colored people on their farms.  Now what am I to do the whites are generally unable to pay wages the blacks are unable to leave having nothing to live upon nor any place to go to, or House to live in the minute I tell these folks they must pay wages & make contracts as I am instructed they will say I cant pay, take the Negroes away.  I have been told so by several already please tell me what course to take in these cases.  I think we shall have to get along as best we can this year if the colored people can get along this year without becoming a tax on the Government it is about all they or we can expect next year we can put the machine in running order I hope to be able to find some farms to confiscate if Dr Tabbs property could be confiscated we should have a large number of Houses & a large quantity of land he is waiting an answer to his communication sent you can there be any question about those who have been generals in the army even if they left their families on their farms please answer immediately as at best it takes from 6 to 10 day to get an answer we are 15 miles from mail & no Horses to go after it & dare not trust the south to bring it.
Yours Respectfully R Churchill A.S. RF and AL

Transcription Notes:
1.19.2024 - Completed transcription, resolved [[?]]s and marking for review