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up. After keeping them a few days and finding no owner they published a notice of them, designating them as 2 mules taken from a Freedman and supposed them to have been stolen about the first of January last. I would bring a writ of detinue for them and have the question decided in the court, as [[strikethrough]] is provided [[/strikethrough]] I understand they are to be applied to first in all matters between Freedman and the Whites - but the statute requires that bond shall be given before the writ is issued, indemnifying the defendant in Costs and Damages. It is namely the case that a white man will go on a negroes bond because they are not worth the amt required and negro sureties will be refused on the same ground. So it amounts to a prohibition in the bringing such suits. The Freedman in point has failed so far to make the required bond. He wished me to write to you to know if your Bureau could provide a remedy. 
Very Respectfully. Thos. L. Kennedy

Transcription Notes:
writ of detinue = A writ which lies where a party claims the specific recovery of goods and chattels, or deeds and writings detained from him.