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[[/stamp]] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [[/stamp]] Bureau R. F. & A L, Office Ast Supt Amelia C. H. Va Feb 28th 1866 Stuart Barnes Capt & A. Q. M Supt 2d Dist Sir In compliance with G. O. No 4' current series I have the honor to make the following report viz. The people are fast becoming reconciled, to the state of affairs. The better portion of the community, are ready to accord to the Freedman, all the rights that are due him, even qualified suffrage. I thought a few days ago that a majority were in favor of educating the masses. But in that I am fully persuaded, that I was mistaken. The U.S. Presbyterian Genl Assembly has sent a missionary (Rev Murphy) here to preach and teach, while they show no opposition; they evidently turn a cold shoulder. There is evidently a reluctance to let us have buildings, or board teachers. I told a cold man since here that I really believed that some of these people were their friends. "Oh yes," he said, "they talks dat way to you but when they goes away they dont act it out". And now I am only better convinced that they know the white man better than I do. While one part of the community are willing to do what they can for the Freedman, there is another class and a large one that is ready to take every advantage of them to cheat, defraud & oppress, and a very strong disposition to compel, them to fulfill their contracts by force as of old. I was asked the other day how I was going to make them fulfill their contracts. I said I have very few complaints but if they violate their contracts and leave the employer they must pay the forfeit. But I was told we must have their labor and over