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224

Bvt Maj Gen & Asst Coms'r

Office Asst Commissioner
B.R.F & A.L.
Montgomery. Ala, Feb 2nd 1866

Mr D.F. Williams;

Gen Swayne has examined into the case wherein you claim that a parole contract made between you and a Freedmen "Brister" should be sustained to the exclusion of a contract written and approved in the office of the Asst Supt, R.F. & A.L. for this District.
A contract executed in writing takes precedence of a parole contract unless the first mentioned contract is made under false pretences.
In this case the General has examined closely into the facts reported and finds that the boy Brister entered into the contract with Mr Gultrie (according to his own statement) with a full knowledge of what he was doing and that he was not induced by false misrepresentations.
If Col Harmount had made a ruling at variance with the principles laid down above, his decision would have been reversed, but his decision upon a question of facts simply like that of a jury, is not open to revision, unless plainly and grossly incorrect.
Considerable attention has however been given to the facts in this case in view of your statement that you had not had as full a hearing as seemed to you desirable. It is therefore impractical to reopen the case.

225

Very Respectfully
Your Obt Serv't

Bvt Col & A.A.G.


Office Asst Coms'r
B.R.F & A.L.
Montgomery. Ala, Feby 2nd 1866

Judge R.P. Waddell
Crawford Russell Co

Sir:
The case of William a Freedman who claims that his children were appreciated to a Mr Doolittle without his consent was referred to you some days since with request that you would investigate the matter.
Will you please report to this office your action together with such facts as may have been brought before you in the case. 
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt.

A.A.G.


Office Asst Coms'r
B.R.F. & A.L.
Montg. Feb 2nd 1866

Col G.D. Robinson
Supt R.F. & A.L.
Mobile. Ala,

Colonel;
Your communication of the 28th inst is received.
The General directs me to thank you for the extracts from the Mobile papers.
In the matter of your taking command of