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2.

is nearly exhausted to meet the demands of the landlord leaving but a small balance to be applied to the wants of living, hence their helplessness when not regularly employed. I am credibly informed that within the next two weeks all the prominent tobacco manufactories here are to suspend operations some of them will not resume work again until after the holidays others not until after the opening of spring: from this it will be seen that self dependence cannot well apply itself to many of these people during the forthcoming winter; aside from the above class there are at least five hundred colored persons-irrespective of those aided by the city-that are past all hope of ever again earning for themselves a livelihood because of their age and infirm condition. I will also bring to your notice another class of unfortunates, there are freedwomen whose husbands have either died or deserted, leaving behind them several small children; these poor mothers with their helpless and dependent family of little ones are totally debased from obtaining employment because of their encumbrance, eke out a miserable existence.