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

Answers to interrogatories respecting the condition of the Freedmen, and the success of free labor.

W. E. Spaulding, a planter living near Wyleysburg, about 20 miles South of Charlotte C. H. answered April 16th 1866.

1 My plantation contains about 1000 acres.
2 I cultivate about two hundred and fifty acres
3 I employ twenty one hands.
4 I raise Corn, Tobacco, Oats and wheat.
5 The negroes work about as well as when they were slaves.
7 I employ them by the month - six to eight dollars.
8 It is better to give them part of the crop - They are more faithful and work better,
9 I am planting this spring 125 acres of Corn
11 And 50 acres of tobacco - or about 200.000 plants
11 Two of my women work in the field
13 The negroes have not good control over their families
15 I have heard of no thieving this year.
17 I know of no negro renters
21 I dont know of any disposition to emigrate.
22 My negroes have been very respectful to me
23 No schools of any kind for the blacks in the neighborhood
24 Most of the planters appear willing to do them justice - The feeling between whites and blacks is good - Some employers are severe - 
25 I know of no instances of oppression
26 A good many blacks are leaving their employers - I don't know the cause

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-02-23 15:43:01 -Changed spelling of "Wyleysburg" to reflect author's actual spelling -Corrected mis-numbering of lines -corrected minor typos