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benefit of their labor, you desire to cheat them out entirely. That will not do Mr Abbott, at least not as long as I am here to protect their interest.

I have allowed on your account every-thing but from this, your last action I have to sound my trumpet otherwise because I fear you are trying to act dishonestly.

You brag on your contract, which is a most contemptible one, and if it was a legal one, it would be binding, very much to your benefit, but detrimental to the freedmen. Now sir do you perceive that the contract is not witnessed by any one?, and I have a right to declare that contract at any moment, null and void.

You mention in your letter that you would rather be burned out, than to allow yourself to be trampled on by the freedmen, they are very severe words sir but I go over them with contempt. I do not desire to discuss your bitterness. Do you know that you will have to pay for the Tobacco if burned out?

To conclude this rather unpleasant communication once for all, I say that you must comply with my order. In case you refuse