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1018

Labor Conditions &c.

There are but few contracts being made this year for the reason that since the adjudication of all disputes arising under them has been turned over to the civil authorities, the freedman has lost all confidence in the worth of contracts, no matter how carefully they may be drawn. He is inclined to passiveness rather than the activity that is necessary for the vindication of ones rights, beside fearing to incur the expense of counsel and litigation where the question would have to be decided by a jury comprised wholly of those whom he regards as antagonistic to himself. His absolute poverty has rendered him a prey to those who could take advantage of his ignorance The oystering and fishing business occupy the most of them now, but many I fear will be thrown out of employment when the fishing season is past, for it will then be too late to plant or sow. If there could be some means derived by which the freedman could be stimulated to secure a small home for cultivation, when not otherwise engaged it would have a tendency to make them better citizens, more thrifty - would give them greater self-respect and greatly diminish the complaints of petty crime and the consequent demoralization of the whole people.

Schools

The Middle District School under the teaching of Mr Fitch maintains the character given in my last regular report though the night school for adults has been suspended, from their non attendance. The day school for minors continues full and progressive. The school building in the [[Wicks?]] district being completed, opened on Monday last with eighteen scholars but not in season for my monthly School Report. The building for school purposes at Piankitank [[Piankatank]] I am assured will be completed about the middle of this month while that of the Middle district advances towards completion by almost imperceptible degrees of progress