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of course I judge by what I hear said in my presence.

After the presentiment had been made by the Grand Jury, I desired that said Phil Gilliam, Evan Partridge and George Gilliam might be bound to keep the peace - fearing some injury to the persons of the Freedman and Freedwoman. The enclosed communication will show how civilly the justice acted in the matter and will be to you an evidence of their good intentions.

I will now introduce a few items of information in regard to the general condition of the two counties which I neglected to give in my previous Report for the month.

In neither of them are the crops good; and though no great want is to be anticipated for a few months I am afraid that before another crop is gather much destitution may be experienced. Sussex has not assumed to care of her colored indigent and some government rations will notably be required for these unfortunates during the coming year.

In this connection I may remark that Freedmen in Sussex often come to me and complain of their having to pay a poll tax $4.28, a good part of which is appropriated to the County poor house, when the poor of their own color are not admitted into said house - and no other provision is made by the county for their support.

Though so restricted in their means the blacks are paying their taxes with a considerate degree of promptitude in the two counties.

With the exception of ague there is but little sickness, and I have not heard of any cases of cholera in either Sussex or Surry.

Very Respectfully
Your obt. servt.
J. W. Sharp Capt & Asst Supt
F.B. Surry & Sussex Cos. Va.

To Genl Brown
Through Brvt. Maj. Stone
Supt 2nd Dist Va.

Transcription Notes:
3.5.2024 - "presentiment" = "an intuitive feeling about the future, especially one of foreboding"; "ague" = "malaria or some other illness involving fever and shivering"