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86 Very Respectfully Your obdt Servt O.D. Kinsman Sub Asst Commr Head-Quarters District of Alabama Montgomery Ala. June 10" 67 Burton Mr H.H. Bureau R.F. & A.L. Demopolis Ala Sir Yours of the 3" inst, relative to copy of a communication from Genl Sewall forwarded to your office, is received. In reply I have the honor to state that the letter does not refer to yourself, but to a Mr Burton, who has been in the employ of the Bureau of Demopolis. Very Respectfully Your obdt Servt O.D. Kinsman Sub Asst Commr 184 Head-Quarters District of Alabama Montgomery Ala. June 10" 67 /124 Thomas. Beuy Keville. Elmore Co. Ala Sir I have the honor to inform you that instructions, relative to the action brought by Joseph and Tom Watt against yourself, under the law concerning "interference with contracts", have this day been sent to Hon. A.A. McMillan, Probate Judge, Coosa Co. Very Respectfully Your obdt Servt O.D. Kinsman Sub Asst Commissioner 185 Head Quarters District of Alabama Montgomery Ala. June 10" 67 McMillan Hon. A.A. Probate Judge, Coosa Co. Rockford Ala Sir 87 Statement has been made at this office that Joseph and Tom Wall of your county are bringing action against Thomas Chancellor, and others, for hiring on their plantation one Henry Murkeson (Col'd), and his family, the said freedman having been employed on the plantation of said Watts, and that said cause will be heard by you on the 17" inst; that this action is brought under an Act of Alabama, approved Feby 16"—1866, entitled, an "Act to prevent persons from interfering so as to induce laborers or servants to abandon their contracts." It is stated by the defendants that the freedman Henry left the employ of the Watts' on account of ill treatment, and actual assault made upon him. The Assistant Commissioner directs me to say that it is not deemed advisable that this Act, or the 147" Section of the Penal Code of Alabama 1866, which refers to the same subject, should be enforced. Both laws are in direct violation of the rights of the laboring classes, and it is believed that the enforcement would lead to much abuse. That portion of the 1st Section of the Act first referred to. which requires the presence of a white person in witnessing the employer's consent is his employee's leaving, is in direct conflict with the Civil Rights Bill. You will please report your action in this case, with any statement bearing thereon, which you may consider it desirable to forward. This communication is only for your official guidance, and no order for general publication will be issued on the subject, as the Assistant Commissioner does not desire to interfere with, or embarafe the existing labor system, and will interfere only in individual cases, which a due regard for justice seems to render such a course necessary. Very Respectfully Your obdt Servt O.D. Kinsman Sub Asst Commr 186 Head-Quarters District of Alabama Montgomery Ala. June 11" 67 Read Hon David Probate Judge Lee Co. Opelika, Ala. Sir I have the honor to forward
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