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colored people out of employment. 

The Tredegar Iron Works have also stopped and in consequence of the severity of the weather all navigation has been closed.

The suspension of these Public Works coupled with the intense coldness, finds a very large number of colored people without the means to prevent their suffering.

I have used every exertion in my power to procure employment for them in the Country as farm hands, but am unable to accomplish my object as the majority are unused to field labor and the farmers not willing to hire any other, hence the increased number of rations issued to this class during the month was necessary to prevent suffering and in some cases actual starvation.

In issuing these rations I have caused investigations to be made as far as possible in order that imposition should not be practiced upon the Bureau, and no issue is made unless found worthy.

No contracts so far, have yet been made

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-11 11:00:40