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Heathsville Va
Feb 26th 1866

Asst Commr
Bur of R.F & A.l
Richmond Va

Sir

In compliance with Circular No 12. Office Supt 10th Va District I have the honor to report, That the Freedmen of the Counties of Northumberland and Lancaster. (a sub District of the 10th Va District) have with few exceptions, made contracts for the year 1866. most of the contracts are for the hire of Lands, at about the same terms as are usual at the north, others are for labor, at prices higher than were generally obtained before the war, a few of the Freedmen are working for themselves at cutting cord wood, catching oysters, and making gardens. for the latter they are generally paid by the day.

The feeling existing between the Freedmen and their former owners. is one of greater cordiality than could have been anticipated, the dependance of the landowners upon the labor of their former slaves, has been very generally recognized, and has tended in a great measure to discourage litigation and discord. and to promote the settlement of all claims for wages due the Freedmen for the year of 1865. In cases of claims for wages due, made before me, a notice to the parties, that a just and amicable