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Berryville Coosa Co, Ala August 17th, 1865 Genl. Swayne Dear Sir When I called on you a few days ago I neglected to ascertain from you whether or not I had the legal right to punish negroes for the following offences (To wit, when they use insolent and abusive language to their employees, when they forfeit their contracts and straggle about the country, in idleness, there is no provisions in the Code of Alabama to cover these offences or at least that would be adequate in the case of a negro. Please give me some information on this matter, and if I have any jurisdiction or if you can empower me to punish in such cases pleas inform me what the punishment will be. Something I think ought to be done in this matter, so that justice may ensue to all parties. Very respectfully Your Obt Servt W. G. Delong Justice of the Peace
Transcription Notes:
edited: per Si ignore archives stamp, removed,
[[stamp]] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [[/stamp]]