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encourage and protect their labor, but every thing to discourage them, they employ them in a great many instances and turn them off without compensation for their services, then lodge them in jail for the slightest offence.

Quite a number of the freedmen are leaving the Co and returning to their former homes, thinking they can do better with their former masters than they can with strangers, a great many more would go if they could get transportation.

Some ten of fifteen families have left the Wise Farm and found homes elsewhere, on being notified that they must do so.  After the weather moderates I shall endeavor to get all young people, and such as can provide for themselves off the farm, so that it will be in reality a home for the needy, such as widows with large families, soldiers wives, and the afflicted.

The Sanitary condition of the freedmen remains remarkedly good.  Three deaths having been reported (Aged Adults) for which coffins and Burial places have been furnished.  One case of Small Pox broke out about one mile from the farm, the person has now about recovered, and no signs of it spreading further.

The School located on Wise Farm has been rather slimly attended, partly in consequence of a great many of the children being without shoes, and the extreme cold