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freedmens injury) and there was a general disposition to aid them, in becoming a self supporting population, we might confidently, look for the most gratifying results, but I fail to see how this can be accomplished when they are excited upon abstract political questions, and are loosing valuable time, in attending public meetings, and listening to [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] promises which never will be fulfilled, and to the discipline of confiscation & other schemes &c which are clearly impracticable, now, and which only serve to raise in their bosoms false and delusive hopes.- The more intelligent freedmen generally are actively engaged , in these avocations, and regret that the more ignorant are influenced in the manner aforementioned, but earnestly hope with myself that the excitement will wear off soon, and that they will realize that those subjects which now excite and distract them will be properly and intelligently disposed of by legislation. In this connection I desire to state, that with the better and more reflecting class of coloured citizens, there is a disposition to cooperate with me in advising all, to overlook the life long prejudices of their white neighbours, to be faithful to their obligations, not shrinking from asserting all the rights of their manhood, but to impress upon them the inestimable

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