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0710

the suggestion of certain so-called Democratic leaders, who, during the fall and immediately succeeding the late election, advised the people generally, to discharge all employes who would not place themselves politically under their control, and vote only as directed by them. Though no case of such discharge can real be proved, it is my opinion that many have been discharged for that reason, although said discharges were ostensibly made for other reasons, some of them indeed, very trivial pretexts.

The freedmen generally are opposed to making contracts for the year. They will hire by the month, from month to month, leaving when they please.  This is attributed, by some, to the fact of their being ill-treated, but I am inclined to think that the real reason, is the idea that has gained ground with a great many, that they are not really free unless they are at liberty to go when and where they please, beside they have as a general thing in a great desire to move about from place to place and are very unsettled.  This makes labor very uncertain, and persons engaged in agriculture are deterred from entering largely

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-22 12:22:57 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-22 13:49:56 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-22 14:38:52 to add NARA and fix a typo ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-22 15:33:26