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from the government. This latter decrease in population is however, believed to be balanced by those who have come into the county from other localities. 

The positive reduction in population for the current year may be put down at Sixteen Hundred, (1600.)

One of the greatest obstacles in the way of inducing the freedpeople to seek homes and employment elsewhere, has been the occupation by them, of land, free of rent. Many who might be well provided for in other localities refuse to go for the simple reason that they have land to live on which costs them nothing. The great majority of grants of that nature expire however January 1st, 1864 and it is proposed to enforce payment of rent hereafter from all, excepting those who may be wholly unable to provide for themselves. It is believed that this course, without entailing unnecessary hardship, will tend in a great measure to induce that class of idle and useless dependents, with which