Viewing page 88 of 230

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

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]]