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The freedmen are generally at work under verbal contracts terminating at "Christmas" and are averse to written contracts for a future period, because they can hardly be induced to look beyond that time, thought I hope during this and the succeeding month to aid and persuade them to the exercise [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] forethought and providence, and the prospect now is that effective labor will continue to be required in excess of the supply

Among the old and infirm, and women with three (3) or more little children, there is now considerable suffering, which will increase with the approach of winter. Partial issues of rations prevents starvation, but wood is also needed to defend them from the cold. The local authorities profess inability to, and untill compelled by law will not make any provision for the support of colored paupers, and the former masters are only prevented from setting many adrift by the knowledge that it is not permitted; although