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themselves unable to support non producers on their Estates --- If the farmers are obliged to keep all; men, women, & children, the pay of those who labor will be materially lessened, or essentially absorbed by the non-producers - If we take the women & children, we will have them to support for a considerable period - I believe that as a rule the Freedmen are willing to support their families - but - the man is himself on one plantation, his wife on another, & perhaps his children on still another - The farmer who employs the man refuses to let him bring his wife & children to his [[strikethrough]] ? [[/strikethrough]] house. saying that he (the farmer) has already more women & children than he can support - X

While the farmer who has the wife & children is determined to get rid of them if possible. & would turn them out unprovided for [[?]] that he is prohibited by military Court - power. I believe it is best to meet the difficulty - now and that all parties will be benefitted by some plan being adopted which will be permanent.

I would respectfully request definite instructions in this matter - I am anxious to carry out the plans of the Bureau but do not know what you desire me to do in these cases

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-01-23 14:37:09 This page (163) is duplicated on page 164, which I began t transcribe, but stopped when I noticed the duplication.