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Madison NC May 9 1868

Cap' Hugo Hillebrant

Sir. Yours of April 4th was handed to me on yesterday and contents duly noticed, Anderson Harris made false representation to you, the case is this. I employed Mr J L Mitchell to take charge of my plantation on the south side of Dan River, he was to furnish the Labor. I advised him agt Harris, but he being somewhat strained to get hands thought as he was to work with his hands, constantly, he could get work out of him, he employed one other Freedman Hugh Black, and from the start, he has been complaining of Harris, and I had repeatedly advised him to turn him off perhaps in a less than a fortnight after he set in, & he has borne with him longer perhaps than another business man would  they have been on cross questions with each other all the time, whilst all was right with his other hands, he is exceedingly trifling and disagreeable  this was his 2nd home this year, & I understand he is now trying for the 4th as his present employer is tired of him, on Monday before the election he left & was away from the farm all the week the other hands, at work only one mile from the Election, I never inquired of any col'd persons neither before or after the Election how they were or did vote, Mr Mitchell says the same. the other hands I doubt not voted as Anderson, he is still there, I have 5 col'd hands working under my own supervision. I verily believe they all voted as Harris did, they & me have been working harmoniously, both before & since I have no doubt will continue to do so the ballance of the year  Mr Mitchell had a perfect right to discharge him, & he turned him off, & I was appeald to, & told him if Mr M said so he would have to go, & must. I cared not how he voted as it is a well