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In regard to temperance most the colored as the whites drink. Every five or six miles through out the entire county small stores are open. Whiskey is the principal part of the stock. I have seen negroes and the poor whites buy half pound of sugar to carry home to their families at the same time a pint of whiskey. This has been the custom of the country for a hundred years. (They have an honest idea, that it is just as necessary to have whiskey as it is bread.) To encourage this, store keepers always keep a barrel of the poorest liquor on hand, to treat their customers. They expect a draw when they buy 1/2 dollars worth of goods just as much as they expect the goods they buy. The negro loves liquor. He has no idea but that it is just an right to drink it. They see all the whites drink. The church members of all denominations upon court days get "hot" and swear and fight, and wallow in the sand. I have seen ministers drink at their private houses and at the bar. All keep it in their houses. And few but do not take two or three juleps before breakfast. Intemperance is on the increase. So a member of the Good Samaritan Association I have lately been trying to start some association among the Whites, first, in order them stop trading at stores where liquor is sold by the glass. This society makes no provision for the admission of colored people. Had I the ritual of the [[?]] Temperance Society I would engage the colored people. I have often spoken to them against their imtemperant habits during the past year. SOmething ought to be done directly in this field. I think that societies could be formed throughout my District. 
Very respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant
Henry K.W. Ayres
Lt. U.N.C. & A.S.A. Comr 4th Dist 6th Dist Va

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