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BUREAU OF REFUGEES, FREEDMEN AND ABANDONED LANDS,
Head Quarters Assistant Sub-Assistant Commissioner,
4th DIVISION---FRANKLIN COUNTY---,
7th SUB-DISTRICT, STATE OF VIRGINIA,
Rocky-Mount, Va., September 30th, 1867.

Bvt. Brig. Genl. O. Brown.
Asst. Comr.

General:

In compliance with Circular No. 6, series 1866, from your Hd. Qts., I have the honor to report, that the feeling existing between the Whites and Freedmen in my Division is far from being satisfactory. On the part of the former there still smoulders the latent spirit of hostility, while on the part of the latter as the Election draws nigh, the prevalent distrust seems greatly increasing. It is true that in the first instance the ruling predisposition is, ordinarily, kept tolerably within bounds, by the force of circumstances; still, it in various ways frequently transcends the limits imposed by discretion, and glaringly betrays itself; in the second instance, however, it is made manifest in every possible manner; and the most so where politics are concerned; in regard to the choice of candidates as Delegates to the convention, for instance, which has not yet been made here; &c.

There have been several complaints during the month, from freedmen, of illusage at the hands of the Whites. Some of these (one, for example, where a man had been assaulted by his employer) have been referred to the proper Civil Authorities, and not since heard from. A difficulty arose here on the night by the 1st Inst., between a poor white, and a colored man, both

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