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Bureau of Free Labor
Montgomery Ala, Aug. 29th 1865

Stephen Coleman Esqr
Prattville. Autauga Co. Ala.

Sir:
A colored man, named Greene Smith, has appeared at my office, and complained that in a trial before you for stealing, his witnesses were thrown out because their evidence would not be taken under oath. In this way, his five witnesses were rejected, & he was sentenced by you, upon trial, where negro testimony was not allowed in court.
If these witnesses were rejected because their word would not be taken under oath, for the purpose of avoiding and preventing negro testimony in court, then you have openly forfeited your right to try cases to which the negro is a party, in compliance with Genl Orders No 7 issued by Brig. Genl Sevayne, to which your attention is called.
I shall await explanation in this case, for a