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[249] and confidence would come, and that the arrival in Georgia of General Davis Tillson, the new acting assistant commissioner, in the month of September had produced a favorable change in that State. He was at the State capital during the session of the State Reconstruction Convention, and explained to its members the purpose of the Bureau, and corrected false impressions, especially touching the settlement of land and labor. He and the department commander for Georgia began and continued to work heartily together, and, but for the extreme poverty in some sections, were introducing stability and continued industry.

Florida was quiet and orderly enough. There had been but few acts of violence; but the freedmen there hardly as yet realized that they were free. The assistant commissioner had not been long enough in the State, nor had he sufficient assistants to make his organization felt; but he had, nevertheless, in a few counties made a good beginning. Here by his action the old compulsory overseer system had been effectually stopped.

General Wager Swayne, assistant commissioner for Alabama, found there a failure of the crops; it was owing to a drought and to the excitement of some late military raids through the State; he feared great distress of both whites and blacks during the coming winter; but Swayne, always wise, carefully matured plans for effective relief. For example: In such counties as most needed assistance he had organized some colonies on good farms where shelter and employment were at once given to the most needy and which in time he expected to become self-supporting. But his best work was the excellent provision he was making for contracts and leases for the coming year. The

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