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either for fair wages or a share of the crop.  In several instances Farmers have leased lands to the Freedmen for a term of years.  The better class of Whites have come to the conclusion that if they are to have the necessary labor to cultivate their land they must deal kindly and liberally with the Freedmen and many Farmers are now willing to sell the Freedmen small portions of land in order to keep them on their plantations in cases where the Freedmen have a reputation for honesty and industry

Several cases have been referred to me where difficulties had arisen in the settlement of labor accounts at the end of the year, and adjusted satisfactorily without recourse to law

There seems but little prejudice existing against the Bureau in comparison to what formerly existed, and the majority of the whites seem disposed to allow the Freedmen the enjoyment of all their rights   All of the contracts for labor which have been made in this Office since Christmas secure a higher rate of compensation to the Freedman, than was given last year.  There is comparatively