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L.B. V.4.
447
603.

Bureau R.F. and A. Lands.
Head Qrs. 1st & 2d Divisions, 5th Sub-Dist.,
Fort Monroe, July 31st, 1868.

Bvt. Brig. Gen. O. Brown.
Asst. Commissioner, Dist. of Va.,

General;

In compliance with Cir. No. 6, Series of 1866, Hd. Qrs. Asst. Comr. Va. I have the honor to report on Conditions of affairs, for the month ending July 31st, 1868, as follows: -

The affairs of the freedmen have not materially changed since the last report from this office.  There are many able-bodied men out of employment, some obtain a bare living by fishing; some find a few days work from time to time on the farms in the surrounding country; others seem to live in idleness.

There is little hope of improvement during the next two months.  Money is scarce.  But few farmers are able to pay cash, or in kind, for the labor of the freedmen.  Promises to pay when the harvest is garnerd, have no force with the freedman who knows not