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in place of those he moved off. He has a Farm of 2100 acres; has quite a large number for Freedmen on his place; & his reason for removing these three Families, is alleged dishonesty. Several cases of the same character have come to my notice; & I was assured that this course would be pursued by all land owners in the county. How much the word of these men can be relied on I do not know, but think it an encouraging sign that they promise so much. There are no more Freedmen in the county than are needed by landowners as laborers which may acct for the change of mind regarding the driving of Freedmen off their lands. The Freedmen are at present all employed in this county, oystering, cutting wood, etc. etc. There has been no disturbance caused by quarrels between Black & white in my county during the present month which has come to my notice. There will be a trial of Freedmen at the next session of the County Court—I understand, for the alledged murder of a store keeper in the upper end of the County. I believe a school & church at Newport News would be a great advantage to the Freedmen. I have been but a short time in the County, but believe from present appearances that Bureau affairs in this County are in a very prosperous condition.

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