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A great many of the Whites or Farmers are disposed to take the advantage of the Freedmen if possible, by charging them extortionate prices for any articles they may purchase for the use of their families, thereby obtaining their labor at a reduced price.

Where instances of this kind have occured, and the Freedmen have been informed of the fact, they will enter into no contracts, and as a general thing prefer working by the month, only.

There are cases in the Sub District where Farmers evince a desire to retain children for the following year, under threats of shooting the parent &c in case of them coming after their children. In such cases I have sent Order for them to bring or send the children to this office, and if the said orders were not complied with, that the parties retaining them would be arrested immediately, and by so doing it has produced the desired effect. 

The State of Feeling existing between the Whites and the Freedmen is not as good as heretofore, the cause for the same being, that the Freedmen can see that the Whites are disposed to take the advantage of their necessities. There are Whites who are disposed to treat the Freedmen
over.