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negroes great "trouble in mind". and cause them to leave their work to visit me to ascertain the truth of the matter; they the whites complain of their leaving their work, and running about doing nothing. They beat negroes and then threaten to shoot them should they report the matter to me. In many instances have large families, and are dependent upon the whites for a living: in almost all such instances the whites take the advantage of them by grinding them down; if a negro does not do as desired they turn them off. They abuse them with foul language and if the negro retorts, they knock them down, making a great hue=and=cry over it that the Bureau wants a negro better than a white man. 

Unless some very stringent orders are issued or troops are sent in two months matters will become desperate; if feeling advances as it has within the last two months

Very Respectfully
Henry K.W. Ayres
Lt V.R.C. & Asst Supt 6th Dist Va

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-02 14:15:42