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I have taken every opportunity to instruct the Freedmen that the land owners can not be compelled to rent their lands, that I have no authority to force them to do so and that they have no right to expect it. These evils can be easily corrected by advice & instruction & by enforcing on the Freedmen caution & discretion in all his dealings whether between themselves or with the whites. Neither race is disposed to injure the other. Their missunderstandings and difficulties originate partly from the ignorance of the Freedmen & partly from the assertions and conduct of the Whites in regard to the character of the Freedmen, but with constant and cautious instruction I hope in time to correct these evils and bring about a better State of feeling.
Very respectfully
Your obt Servt
Ed. Murphy
Lieut 10th Regt V.R.C
Asst Supt
Through office Supt 5th Dist Va.

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