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taking care of it for my family, that finding he was obliged through fear of Griffins arresting him as he threatened for a rebel, and to make his life secure among theirs, he has been obligated to send me the key, not being allowed to discharge his trust. To such a frame of mind has he wrought Them, by saying nothing on the place belongs to me, That after he shared out the rice they broke into my cotton house of which the said Monday had the key, and carried off the only bag of Sea Island cotton I had, packed off, and one half more of an other I had in the seed, I expect nothing less them. They will Break my Barn, unless your timely interference should prevent and take the all I have to feed my family with. He has completely demoralised a set of freed negroes disposed to be orderly and inclined to both from the habit and inclination to assist themselves by honest labor, but now neglecting that more solid advantages by turning their whole thoughts to depredating. 

Upon visiting my plantation yester day I found nearly all the negroes gone to Griffins who keeps up a continual[[strikethrough]]ing[[/strikethrough]] trading with them, and could see nothing of the stock- Having had no interview with Mr Griffin I can give no information as to the grounds upon which his oppressive interference with my property is based- My plantation house & outbuildings