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Persons P.D. Macon Co Ala
16 Sept '65

Brig Gen Swayne


Dear Sir:
A Freedman John who left me when Gen Grierson papered through this section returned some two or three months afterwards, but refused to remain & go to work with the others, but after ten days left again for Montgomery where he remained a short time & came home again after I had made a contract with them at home giving them a portion of the crop. He beged them to be permitted to stay at home. I told him that I had no more for him what crop was had was about made & I had made a contract with them who had made it, he could come in for a portion. He said that he asked nothing but to be permitted to remain till Christmas without pay. I consented, promised him his food & clothing only. Also a family man & wife & 5 children after having hired themselves out to a neighbor 'till the crop was about finished were trimmed off, & as the woman had formerly belonged to me, they came here begging permission to remain - I told them that I had not need them nor want them, but as I hated to drive them off, I told them to remain & go to work; that I would simply feed himself & family till he could do better. They are still here. I wrote to Union Springs, but the Bureau had been removed. By your order No 12 I see that.