Viewing page 5 of 47

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

2

Office Bu R.F. & A.L.
Sub Dist Macon
Macon Miss Nov 9th 1867

Barber Lieut Merritt
A.A.A Genl Bu R.F. & A.L.
Vicksburg Miss

Lieutenant
I have the honor to transmit herewith a report of the opperations of the Bureau in the Sub District for the month of October 1867 as follows.

I
The number of freed people is about twenty (20) thousand.

II
It is believed that their condition is better than it could of reasonably hav been last year. they are now substantially and comfortably clad, and do not present that dilapidated appearance so common one year ago. evidence sufficient that if honestly delt with, they will most certainly better their condition

III
Their Contracts for this year, almost without exception are for a portion of the crop. generally for a fourth. but in some instances for the third

[[strikethrough]] III [[/strikethrough]] IV
Their are no sick old or inform suffering from want but one case of destitution from inability to earn a support has [[strikethrough]] been [[/strikethrough]] came to my knowledge and it was refr'd to the bord of police as a proper subject for care & supper by the County. It cannot be said that any destitution prevails among the freedmen at present.

[[strikethrough]] III [[/strikethrough]] V
No rations have been issued during the month. neither has a nessecity for it existed

VI
But four Schools so far as I can assertain are in opperation. these with the [[strikethrough]] one at this place [[/strikethrough]] exception of the one here are private ones on the Plantations respectively of Stephen D Lee, Maj Baskaville, and Dr Clay's, they canot be said to be in a very flourishing condition. All others have been discontinued for want of support.

VII
With regard to the marriage relations, I fail to discover among them, that honesty which obtains [[strikethrough]] in this [[/strikethrough]] particular with the white race. Living together in a state of concubinage they have can to look upon as a privilege. In fact, a right which no one has to interfere with. Four or five cases of adultery was tried in the recent term of the Circut Court, and in no case did the Jury convict.

VIII
The Whites as a general rule are well disposed toward the blacks, and it is believed that they will deal honestly in settling with them for their labor. Thus far at least no trouble has been experiensed in this respect. Still, it is feared that when the crop is all gathered, and a final settlement had, much dissatisfaction will be expressed by the Freedmen at the small amount due them, occasioned wholy by the low price of cotton, the crop of which, will not exceed two (2) Bales to the hand, giving to the freedmen as their share a half bale in value about thirty (30) Dollars, their share of the corn will bring them about twenty (20) Dollars, in all Fifty (50) Dollars. Notwithstanding this, many of them (to their credit be it said) will after paying all their debts have something coming to them.

IX
Many complaints of driving off having been made, Occasioned principaly by the Freedmen, leaving the Plantation to attend Political meetings in disobedience of positive orders from their employers. In almost every such instance thro the efforts of this Office the matter has been settled to the satisfaction of all parties, the employer either taking the freedmen back, or allowing them their share of the crop for the time they worked. the number of outrages that has come to my knowledge is greater than common, the non aggravated ones having