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managing in some way to escape detection while the Freedman if held by the Magistrate for trial, and is unable to give Bail is placed in jail to await the slow action of the courts leaving often times a Family suffering for the necessaries of life.

The majority of the employers in the county show a disposition to deal honorably and kindly, by the Freedmen, and generally speaking the freedmen are labouring diligently and faithfully and universal opinion is that the crops are worked better, and are in a better condition than in many other counties in the State.

The crop of oats is a larger one than has been known here for a great number of years. The wheat was a failure not more than one third of an average crop being raised, Corn and tobacco promise a large yield.

Owing to a scarcity of meat & corn there is already much suffering among those Freedmen who are "Cropping" for themselves having rented lands. I do not feel authorized to issue rations to such, but unless aid is given them there must great suffering ensue before the corn crop is ripe. As an evidence of the scarcity of corn, it is selling in many portions of the county at $2.00 per Bushel.

The sentiment of the people of this county is almost universally favourable toward educating the Freedmen, Several schools have been established and ae in flourishing condition. The Freedmen display an anxiety to learn

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-04 09:28:57 two minor typos corrected