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5

In conclusion I will say that the 
general feeling of the whites is of a decided disloyal character, for a long time they thought there was a possibility of the operations of this Bureau being withdrawn, as also the withdrawal of all troops from the Southern States but as the present condition of affairs relative to this does not indicate the intention of the government to abandon the freedmen in their present helplessness to the cruelties that would undoubtedly be their lot to be subjected to at the hands of their former Masters they openly exhibit their hatred to the present policy of the administration and say that they will never live in any conditions of political equality, with a race that they consider might never to have been made free. They manifest a great desire to have their representatives admitted to seats in Congress and ignore the idea of the present contemplated amendment of the Constitution  I can see that these people are very loathe to give up their last grip upon the Negro and seem to have hopes of receiving assistance, from the copperhead faction of the North in once more gaining political ascendancy.

I am certain that my presence here is the only safeguard the Freedmen have to anything like the rights that belong to them as freemen, and without my protection their condition would be even worse than Slavery itself

I am Genl.
Very Respty Your Obt Servant
W. Augs. MacNulty
Lieut V.R.C. & Asst Supt. "Freedmen"

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-02-22 14:44:54