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and resold to small farmers, who in the introduction of systematic and intelligent industry would soon convert these surrounding wastes and barrens into prolific fields and fruitful orchards, opening up new avenues to his progress and giving the assurance of remunerative compensation to the ambitious and industrious freedmen, enlivening his labor with the cheering hope of one day becoming the possessor of a home in the land wherever he has [[?]] and struggled for so many weary years with no other hope than that of a pitiable existence of poverty and ignorance , Hence the freedmen is strongly in favor of a discontinuance of the Stay law, and he or they who shall successfully adopt and carry through such a measure as will prolong its existence must expect no other result than the loss of their friendship

Very Respectfully
Your Obedt Servt
Thomas S. Rice
A.S.A. Comr.

Transcription Notes:
the "Stay Law" gave debtors extra time to pay their creditors before their property was seized