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and settling all disputes between themselves and their laborers, the result of such arbitration has been, that the Freedmen have in a large number of cases, been swindled out of nearly all their years earnings.  It is but just to state, that the intelligent and respectable class of farmers, have treated their laborers with justice and fairness, but as the latter class, are so few in these Counties, that the former assertion will apply to the majority of settlements made for last years services.

Quite a number of the most industrious and intelligent Freedmen of these counties, have left and are now leaving here, for Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi, under contracts with gentlemen from those states, who came here looking for laborers, they offer from 12 to $15 per month and rations, and the Freedmen eagerly accept it, they start with a fair prospect of saving some money, and a belief that they will receive their wages when due, which the conduct of their last employers, has convinced them that they will not receive here. The Farmers are becoming alarmed and complain of this loss of their best laborers, but as it will be

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-12 10:41:00