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appeared very much downcast, said he: "I have rented twenty five acres of land, the horses I had were taken from me. I have been all over the county trying to hire horses but no one will let them, a white man promised me some the other day but when I went for them, he said he would be d--d if I could have them. I do not want to be idle I want to work and earn my living but I cannot do anything because I have no horse and am unable to buy one." Cases of this character are presented daily. But presenting this I do not wish to be understood as complaining of the order which sold the horses but simply desire to lay before you the exact position of affairs and the difficulties under which the "Freedmen" labor.

Cultivation of land by "Freedmen"

The subject as to whether the "Freedmen" can cultivate land advantageously to their own interests has often presented itself, and having carefully examined into the subject, I am satisfied that without instruction and guidance their efforts

[[stamp]] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [[/stamp]]