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and lower class of white men, who throw every obstacle in the way of the Freedmen's advancement.

About the middle of the month, I received several hundred packages of garden seeds of various kinds, from the Agricultural Department, which I have distributed to those who were unable to buy them  The benefit derived from this contribution will be very great. 

There are nine schools in operation in this County, and all are in as good condition as can be expected. The number of scholars is on the decrease, and the interest of the teachers is flagging somewhat, which I believe is generally the case near the close of a long term.

On the 17th of the month, a Freedman, named Horace Cross, living near Centreville, was inhumanly murdered as follows: Said Cross was called out of his house at midnight, and while standing near the door, was shot and instantly killed. The murderer escaped for the time being. Frank Johnson (Freedman) had on several occasions accused Cross of having conjured his (Johnson's) wife, and each time threatened, in the presence of others, to kill him. Johnson has been arrested, and is now awaiting trial. He has made a partial confession of his guilt. Superstition seems to be at the bottom of the whole affair.

Many petty complaints have been

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