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which report cause the negroes great trouble in mind and cause them to leave their work and 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 negroes have large families and are dependent upon the white man for a living. In almost all such instances the white man takes 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 and make a great hue = and =cry over it that, the Bureau wants a negro better than a white man

Unless some very stringent orders, or  troops are sent in two months matters will become desperate, if feeling advances as it has in the late two months.

Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servt
Henry K.W. Ayres
Lieut V.R.C. & Asst Supt 6th Dist Va

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-01 11:25:39