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I would again call attention to the general disposition among that portion of the community who hire a large number of hands, to discharge a portion of the laborers, with whom they have contracted for the year, before the expiration of the contract. They usually present some frivolous excuse of disobedience but the real cause is that having secured their wheat and laid by their corn, a smaller force can now save & secure their remaining crop, and as they usually lay claim to the share of the hand discharged, they not only save the expense of that hand, but in addition secure his part of the crop; the hand in the meantime not only losing his six or eight month's work, but being thrown out of employment at a season when labor is not in demand.

This practice could be stopped if the civil authorities would aid in suppressing it, but as a general thing when cases are referred to them they give judgment for nominal amount, say 1/3 or 1/4 of what they should, and the Freedman, glad to get anything, take what the magistrate gives- and say no more. In such cases, my only recourse, is to refer it back to the magistrate or else refer it to the Mil Comr.;- I have thus far pursued the former course, because a second reference will generally bring a better decision, thus

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-26 18:28:03