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Freedmen for no more could possibly [[?]] [[?]]
such [[terms?]]. The Act passed by the General Assembly
February 20, 1866 is a very bad one and leaves the
laborer in no better situation to secure to himself ample
pay for his labor than he was in previous to its pas-
sage. I have not known of but one contract to be
acknowledged before a Civil officer since its passage
and about a half dozen have been brought before me.
I have [[?]] but one Contract for this year, but
I have [[?]] the Colored people as far as
possible not to work a day without a written con-
tract executed by me as a Civil officer and to
have it properly read and explained to [[?]] by
the officer.
[[?]] new Temperance societies have held their
first meeting in [[?]] [[?]] [[?]] I do not know 
how many members they have as I was not present.

Very Respectfully, [[?]] [[?]]
[[Watson?]] R. Wentworth
A.S.A [[?]]