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at this office. As the act is alleged to have been done in May 1864 I would respectfully ask advice as to procedure if he should report the matter to me The next case is that of Maria Thompson of Wayne Co. which is altogether out of my jurisdiction She has never appeared before me

I regret exceedingly that my method of transacting business does not satisfy you but I must beg the liberty of stating that you have been misinformed. No one comes before me without having a patient careful and unprejudiced hearing. Before examining or summoning witnesses I invariably examine carefully and thoroughly the party making the complaint if he be white or black and when I find the cases are absolutely trifling and without any foundation I dismiss them. I have always deemed it my duty to assist the freedpeople in every way I could conscientiously and have faithfully endeavored to do so. I have conducted three cases for as many of them where they were tried before a Magistrate and in each case have cleared them. With profound respect Sir for you I beg to say that the whole charge has not a single foundation in fact which I can prove by every respectable citizen of Sampson in Duplin Co

In the matter of Churchill Wynn I have the honor to report that no freedmen who is not a convicted felon need fear to come to this county. The hue and cry about killing is all a sham. They need have no fears and in fact they have no fears generally speaking but try to arouse a sympathy by such tales. I am able

[[right margin]] Since writing the foregoing have rec'd much information in reference to these parties which [[/right margin]]

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