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0419

5

"Poor and County levy" of Henrico and Chesterfield.  In the latter County each Tithe is assessed two dollars and seventy five cents. This burden is thrown upon the aged and crippled Freedmen pro=rata with the able bodied person; under the Statue laws of Virginia a person can be exempt from such taxation by the county of corporation court in the district wherein such person resides.  But few of the Freedmen are aware of the existence of such a law and as there is no desire on the part of the assessor or  collector to instruct them how to meet the requirements of the law they are compelled to pay this tax.  The arduous duties of this Office would not allow me to canvass these Counties to relieve these Freedmen of this disability by instructing them how to proceed consequently the infirm Freedmen are still taxed except a few who are made familiar with the law.  The written contract system