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Bureau of R.F. & A.L. Charlotte C.H. Va May 31st 1866 Brvt Brig Gen'l O. Brown. Asst Commr Va General, In obedience to circular No 6. Bureau of R.F. and A L. Head Quarters Asst Com'r state of Virga dated Richmond, January 29th 1866...I have the honor to make the following report of the conditions of Bureau affairs in this sub. district. In regard to the subject of labor, I have very little change to note since my last report. The freedmen, so far have exceeded the most sanguine expectations, of the planters, in their application to work, and faithfulness to contracts, and one of the most emergent Seasons has almost passed with complete success to the agricultural interests. Planters who in the early part of the year had the courage and confidence to employ a full force of field-hands are displaying both, to a greater degree by putting in Crops, equal to their capacity to work - while those who were too timid to risk the Freedmans winter board, on his faithfulness, and now vainly endeavoring to obtain extra laborers - in many cases by indiscreet means; tempting by higher wages, those freedmen who are employed by contracts to desert their employers At one time during the month, this evil threatened to grow into alarming proportions, but it was checked by prompt and decided action by the freedmans court - in a few instances which came before it. For two weeks back there have been no complaints of unjustifiable desertion. I addressed a crowd of freemen who assembled here on Holiday, urging them to stick to their contracts; and my remarks were received with enthusiasm, I believe that where the contract is fair, and the planter fulfills his post, there is little danger to be apprehended, of a wanton violation of obligations by the freedmen - in the future.
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Reopened for Editing 2024-02-28 07:49:09