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a condition, compared with which their former slavery system would be a blessing - In this communication I would add that as the disposition alluded has been betrayed, so early in the season, I am confirmed in the opinion that without the presence of a small force of U.S. troops in my sub district I will not be able to protect the freedmen as I believe they ought to be protected in their just and equitable rights.

Concerning the feeling aforementioned I am not prepared to say whether it is attributable to a natural hatred of the race - whether these people imagine they are revenging themselves upon the Yankee by persecuting the Negro - or whether they propose to recover by defrauding the Negro what they claim was taken from them by the Yankee - One fact is established in my mind, that is this - There is a class of planters in my sub district who will get all the labor they possibly can out of the freedmen and when it comes to remunerating them for this labor resort to the most outrageous subterfuges by which to swindle them - A class of men, who leave the management of their plantation interests to headmen, who in many instances are colored men and who instead of looking after their interests themselves, are attending courts &c where they have but little business - and embracing every opportunity to abuse the Yankee and the Negro - and when upon his return to the plantation he finds his affairs in a 

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-05 14:05:25