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The Overseers of the Poor of this County of Southampton assembled for the purpose of taking into consideration the Circular submitted to us by Lieut. [[strikethrough]] W [[/strikethrough]] M. Havens from Col. O. Brown, respectfully return the following reply:-
The laws of the state of Virginia require us to provide for all indigent persons within our county without any distinction as to color and we are willing and intend to execute that law in regard to the late free persons of color, just as we do and have done to all others provided we are permitted to tax them as we do others, and apply all the laws to them applicable to other paupers.

In providing for paupers heretofore no distinction has been made between white and the former free colored persons and the overseers have exercised their discretion whether it was best to send them to the Poor House of the County where such persons are provided for or if they consider it best for the pauper and the interest of the county they make an appropriation for their support or such part of their support as seems necessary at their homes if they have or can find one. 

We consider the above a full and we hope a satisfactory reply to the enquiries propounded and would be glad of a reply in regard to the collection of taxes from the late freedmen, for the present year, upon the conditions above indicated. 
Geo W Spivey Prest

Transcription Notes:
Several bracketed question marks are shown, but it is marked for review. ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-04-20 10:18:59