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Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abd. Lands
Office Asst. supt. Counties Jefferson & Berkeley
Harpers Ferry, W Va. Nov 30th 1866

Sir

I have the honor to report no material change in Bureau Affairs since last Report.  The state of feeling which existed in Charlestown seems to have passed away, and the occurrence through at one time promising to be a fruitful source of future anxiety and trouble, has been in one sense beneficial, as it has brought the Bureau and the civil authorities to an understanding.  As a climax to the matter, I beg to submit herewith a copy of communications received from the Mayor of Charlestown, which I think represents the feelings of that Official.

I feel great anxiety in regard to a portion of the colored people residing in this town, and the others under my supervision, as the question arises how will they exist this winter.  It is hardly necessary to inform you that there exists in all places of this character a floating population (colored) who on the first approach of hardship are left stranded on the sea of poverty, helpless and unable to support themselves, which those who have at odd times employment, or even steady work, are by the high cost of living unable to make ends meet.  The first and highest expense is house rent.  There are in this place several buildings which are rented out exclusively to colored people.   The rent charged is rarely less than five dollars per room.  The knowledge that they must live in these buildings or out of doors is sufficient excuse to their owners to charge these outrageous prices.  They are outrageous, for in front of my Office is a tenement House bringing the owner on the average five dollars per room while next door to me is a Government House nearly as large, and with twice the conveniences, rented to a white family for six dollars per month.  Three to ten dollars per month is all that any house brings in to the owner for rent, but no