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L.B. V.2. 534/162.

Bureau of Refugees Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands,
Headquarters, Superintendent, Fifth District, Dept. of the Potomac.
Fort Monroe, Va., April 1st 1867

Bvt: Brig Genl. O. Brown
Ass't Comr.

General,

Pursuant to Circular No 1, Series of 1866 I have the honor to report that the number of unemployed freedmen in the lower peninsula is steadily decreasing.  This class is confined almost entirely to the precincts of Yorktown & Hampton, mainly to the latter place.

From careful observation and inquiry I am induced to believe that about one third of the colored population is disposed to idleness, and theft when convenient, is careless of the future, & supinely content with a "from hand to mouth" way of life.  Since two thirds of the troubles with, and difficulties among freedmen arise in this class, one is apt to suppose that the above estimate would