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severe. The Overseer is a relic of slavery in one of its cruelist features, and it is but natural, that the freedmen who are suspicious of anything in the guise of slavery, should retain an aversion to their former task-masters. Many planters have taken pains to explain to the freedmen the necessity for a plantation manager. Some have forbidden the use of the word, "overseer", but the resemblance is often too striking, to be dispelled by argument
In the matter of Contracts, I am more convinced from each days experience, that the planters who believe they understand negro character so well, have mis-apprehended it. Comparatively few Contracts have been brought to this office for approval, and of those had in this office, though generally liberal, I find the planter entrenched behind a barrier of conditions, rules, regulations, and legal terms, on which is planted the first Superintendants "Approval" like a loaded ten-pounder, with its muzzle point blank at the freedman, who is perplexed, and overwhelmed, but not always satisfied that the barrier is safe on his side, or that the ten-pounder will point the other way, in case his rights are invaded.
The consequence is, that the freedman feels a restless uncertainty -- a suspicion that his years wages may be swallowed up in fines and penalties, and with the first shadow of difficulty flies to the Freedmens

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