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those remaining, and they claimed that I had promised them transportation back to Raleigh in cases they did not wish to remain.  I have told them they can all leave if they are dissatisfied, but as to the transportation it was not promised and I shall make no endeavor to
procure it.  I will convey them to the R. Road when they wish to go-.  A few of the hands are excellent laborers and work cheerfully & promptly, but the great majority have shown but little disposition so far to comply with the terms of the contracts.  This has been borne with in the hope that they would soon do better.  How it will prove I cannot tell.  I confess, I am much discouraged and feel that it is a dangerous experiment to depend upon them for the cultivation of a farm of any size.  They do not feel the necessity of constant regular labor, and they disregard the bonds of a contract.  Until I have given these hands a further trial I shall make
no further effort to procure more laborers.  Their minds are too unsettled apparently for them to enter upon steady work.  From present appearances, I shall soon lose all that I have employed.  I will however report to you how they get along.

I have entered upon the duties of my Agency and find a