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executed, and would charge the Freedman from seventy-five cents to two dollars and fifty cents for the contract. I have prohibited that from being done again, but they will not come to me and have a contract executed and filed.

The white people of this District are unwilling to compensate their former slaves in any way for last years service. I have from twenty-five to fifty complaints made to me every day by the Freedmen in regard to that; the most of them this year are working the farms on shares and have nothing for their services last year to live upon until they can raise more. I have asked them why they did not come to the officer who preceeded me and have their claims adjusted, they say that he would not allow them anything for their services last year and that they were not allowed an Agent in this court; that the Agent chosen by the white people has had his own way and settled claims outside of this office. Since I arrived here the Freedmen have chosen an Agent and I think a good one, and as soon as possible all claims that Freedmen have against their former masters shall be adjusted.

I have charge of Essex, King and Queen Counties; it is so far from King and Queen that I hear nothing from there. I have been here but a few days and have not had a chance to get there, but as soon as I am furnished with a horse I will visit King and Queen and have

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