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Livingston Ala
Nov 23d 1865

Brig Gen'l Wager Swayne,
Asst Commissioner &c,
Montgomery,

Sir;
About two weeks from this date I expect to hold a special term of the circuit Court in Choctaw County after which I will forward you a report.
In Sumter Co, the grand jury filed in Court 128 indictments in which 107 white men and fifty five Negros were included. One Negro was indicted for an assault with intent to commit a rape - this was the only indictment against a Negro for injury to a white person. There was no indictment against any white persons for injuries to Negroes. Some federal soldiers had robbed some Negroes in this County but it was in the night and the Negroes could not identify them. In Green Co 137 bills of indictment were filed, about two thirds of the persons indicted were white persons and one third Negroes. One Negro was indicted for an assault with intent to murder a white person and was convicted on white and Negro testimony. He had a fair trial and was properly convicted.
In Pickens Co 99 bills were found - and 29 Negroes and 116 whites were included. One Negro was convicted for [[strikethrough]] Rape [[/strikethrough]] an assault with intent to commit rape on a white woman and sentenced to be hung. I recommended that the sentence be changed to imprisonment for life as I thought it doubtful as to whether he intended to commit rape or to have in improper connection. One Negro was also convicted of an assault with intent to murder a white person. I have no doubt but that he was properly convicted on the proof. No person was indicted for assaults on Negroes. Some five or six Negroes were indicted for murdering their former Master but the case was continued. Our people seem willing to do justice to the Negroes, they have been able defended and fairly tried; and I think the results fully show that our people are fair and just to the Negro.
Very Respectfully yours,
Jas Cobb, Judge
& Judicial Circuit

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