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to me that I am not overstepping the line of my duty when I report my views of the case, to my superior officer. From what I have learned from the most intelligent of the freedmen in the portion of the District under my charge, who were present at the meeting held by them and presided over by Mr. Bowen, it does not appear that Mr Bowen violated any orders, hence the duty is dangerous, to report standing as he does opposite to the dangerous principles held here by the white population, yet perverting those principles with systematic and cunning a manner as to deceive and lead astray the freedmen, from the integrity and honor they have heretofore shown in their dealings. His speech seems to have been the result of mature deliberation, deep laid with systematic schemes for his future, and little for the future of the poor people to whom he addressed himself, and like poison dealt [[strikethrough]] it [[/strikethrough]] out, not in overdoses but just enough to commence a slow, but sure result. 
Starting upon those prominent principles partly understood by the freedmen, he gains their confidence, and with apparent honesty