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men have adopted the unfortunate system of "cropping", and most of the others will not make contracts for any length of time- though I use every method to persuade them to fix themselves at steady employment-

Contracts for money- by the year is the best system for the ordinary laboring Freedpeople until they have gained experience and learned the art- or science- of being free- A few of the sagacious are already arriving at this conclusion- 

The colored churches in Lexington are well attended and the congregations decorous and well dressed-

No want- excepting ordinary pauper indigence- exists among the colored people and their health is good

I have not been in Bath or Alleghany County since the 10th inst, and cannot tell what may have recently transpired there but have hear no unfortunate reports from either-

Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servt
J. W. Sharp
Capt & Sub Ass Sub Com.
Rockbridge Bath & Alleghany Cos. Va.

Brvt. Brig Genl Brown
Through Capt. Lacey
Agent 7th Dist. Va.