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0806 this (so I deem it at least) is that the Freedmen are in many instances renting Houses & Garden spots, & depending on the prospect of daily labor for support. I believe that the fault does not belong with employer, or Laborer, except in occasional instances, where the employer deliberately proposes to cheat the employee. These have been very rare so far. There should be some way of settling these disputes in settlement, promptly. If there is no way but through the civil Courts, there should in some way be counsel provided. In ninety nine cases in a hundred, the Freedmen cannot employ counsel and run the risk of losing their all. I believe that the court as at present constituted would try to deal justly, but that they should be entirely without prejudice is too much to hope for. Juries will in many instances however honest in intention, be unavoidably influenced by their prejudice of race, which is growing stronger among the whites every day. It is a cheering sign, bad as the system is, that a great many more of the Freedmen are making written contracts than in any previous year, many of them are very fair in their terms & very plain & clear. If all could be induced to do this, there would be less trouble I hope some plan may be adopted which will secure a prompt settlement of these disputes. It would make the labor much more fruitful in results.
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Reopened for Editing 2024-03-23 00:38:50