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Sub District of Bedford & Boutetout Co Va.
Liberty Va.
May 15th 1866

General:

In compliance with circular No. 18 Headquarters Asst Commissioner State of Virginia of May 8th 1866, I have the honor to forward the following report.

I called on the superintendent of Poor House of Bedford County, and find that there is provision made for all destitute white persons of the county through an overseer, of each magisterial district.  But as to the colored poor, they will no receive them at the Poor House, there having not yet any levy been made on the colored population, and no provision for them to be cared for by the civil authorities.  There are twelve (12) colored persons at the Poor House that were taken there by the military authorities at the time they were stationed at this place who were rationed by them, since partly by the Bureau.  Whenever they were no rations sent them by the Bureau, they received corn Bread, from the superintendent on his own responsibility out of charity sake (he saith).  There is a large number of poor white people provided for by the civil authorities.  A much larger number in proportion, than there will be any necessity to provide for the colored people. The poor of Botetourt county are better provided for than what they are in Bedford, but in neither county do any