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Demopolis  Ala Jany 26th 1866

Maj Genl Wager Swayne
Montgomery Ala

My dear General
I am at this time cultivating a plantation near this place, number of Laborers sixty. I rented the place from my father in law, whose fortune is nearly ruined by the late war. On the plantation are seven aged and helpless negroes, and twenty five very young negro children, unable to do any thing for their own support. These negroes are family negroes and have always lived in the family. My father in law in his very straightened circumstances is unable to provide for them. 
From a sense of humanity I do not feel inclined to turn them over to the Freedman's Bureau, thereby sending them away from Homes & families, to which they are much attached. These aged ones cannot last long, I am willing to give them good shelter & wood, but as I am compelled to purchase all of the provisions required for Laborers & stock, besides the many other articles needed in cultivating, all of which were [[strikethrough]] sp [[/strikethrough]] swept off by the war, I feel that their support is almost to onerous a burden for me to assume alone. Is there

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