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years old has stolen one of my horses and I understand he is in Vicksburg, and has told that I have been abusing the negroes still on the farm. Whipping them badly. Which statement is false in fact. I have always been a humane master, never allowed one of my negroes punished, only when actually necessary to make them work and enforce necessary obedience and discipline on the farm. 

I have complied with all orders and regulations, have registered my farm taken the amnesty oath have told the negroes on the farm that they were free and had made arrangements with them to remain at home until 1st of next January and that I would pay them for their labor, and I had already paid them some ten and others fifteen dollars for their work. I would respectfully ask in-as-much as the woman Mahala Austins wife was satisfied at home, having never as I am aware of expressed a desire to leave me if it is consistent with orders and regulations in such matters. I would like for her to be returned to her home and the boy Handy either sent back or as he left home voluntarily if he cannot be sent back I would like to get my horse and have the boy punished for the theft