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whites are not willing to pay them a fair remuneration for their services. While a few whites acted well toward the Freedmen during the past year, they have no fault to find with their help, but where whites have not, they have trouble. But the Freedmen are now seeking out homes and employment for the coming year and there they have no difficulty as there now exists a scarcity of labor in this district of Va.

I cannot say that the people (the whites) are generally ready to act justly with the Freedmen.

The Freedmen know this, and do not feel that confidence which they perhaps ought to, so from this arises the collision, and the whole animosity existing between the two races.

I am General,
With great respect
Your obedient Servant,
Henry K.W. Ayres,
Lieut. V.R.C. & Asst. Supt. 6th Dist.
Westmorland & Richmond Co's Va.

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-08 08:26:21 Errors in signature block corrected