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0221

"205"

BUREAU REFUGEES, FREEDMEN, AND ABANDONED LANDS,
Head Quarters 1st Sub-District, Va.
Norfolk, Va. November 30th 1867

Bri Brig Genl O Brown
Asst Comm Dist of Va

Genl

In compliance with Circular No 6 Series 1866 from Head Quarters Asst Comr Dist of Va I have the honor to report, for the 1st Div 1st Sub Dist, that a great deal of destitution exists among the colored people in the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth. The demand and supply of labor is about equal, and those who are able to work need not suffer, but there is a class comprising the old and feeble, sick, and widowed who have large families to support who will suffer severely during the coming winter, unless they are assisted by the Bureau, the civil authorities being unable to render all the assistance needed, as the financial condition of both cities is in an extremely embarrassed condition. The Officers of both cities are willing to assist these people but they are not able to assist any one as their finances are in as great need of assistance as their paupers. I would respectfully suggest that some cheap mode of feeding

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