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Crawfordford, Ala, Oct 17th, 1865.

Brig Genl Wager Swayne.

Sir. 
I have received 'Freedmans Circular" issued by Gen Howard, under date of the 4th of October - 1865, - which informs me that, "State laws with regard to apprenticeship will be regarded provided they do not make any distinction of color; In case they do so, the said laws applying to white children will be extended to colored."
There are in this County hundreds of minor children whose parents are unable to support them, and who must perish if not provided for in some way. Under the State law of Apprenticeship as it exists in this State, I am authorized to find out minor children, male, until 21 years, female, until 11, if it can be shown by proper evidence, that they are likely to become chargeable upon the County. The law requires no notice to the Parents, had compels the party to enter into bond to instruct the apprentice is his vocation and also in reading writing and ciphering - to provide good and sufficient food and clothing, to teach with kindness and humanity and to furnish two complete suits of new clothing at the end of the Apprenticeship. This is a most humane law. It also authorizes the Judge of Probate to revoke the letters of Apprenticeship at any time for failure to comply with the Indenture. The course that I am pursuing deviates in some respect from this as regards the Negro - I propose to notify the Parents if any, and let them come into Court and defend against the

Transcription Notes:
Edited: filled in blanks, changes and corrections A lot of these words are wrong, just a general idea of what letters are contained in it.