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27 Generally they have no disposition to economize - I have two old men who appear to be saving money.

Remarks - I think Mr Spaulding a fair man. He has average intelligence - but evidently uneducated - He had a difficulty in settling with three of his hands and they came before the court. He evinced every desire to do them justice and settled with them on favorable and liberal terms.

John A. Spencer a planter living near Charlotte C.H.
April 17th 1866

1 My plantation contains about 1000 acres
2 Of which about 210 are in cultivation
3 I employ twelve hands.
4 I raise Corn, Tobacco, Oats and wheat.
5 The freedmen work as well as when slaves
6 I think they work better than they did last year
7 I give them $5 per month and an interest in the crop
8 I think where they have an interest in the crop they are more faithful
I combine the systems and find it to work well- They must have a little money occasionally
9 I plant this year about 9 acres of Corn
10 And 22 acres of Tobacco, 3555 plants to the acre
11 Three of my women work in the field
12 The rest work in doors- some of them spin, but not much
13 The government of the families is tolerably good
14 The boys and young men are idle- I prefer men of families to do my work. I had four young men- neither of whom were of any account.

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-02-23 15:48:26 All numbering was missing. Now added. Corrected other typos.