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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 [[?]]