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1st the influence of money - the parties applying paying from five to fifty dollars in proportion to the number of apprentices in the way of tax or fees into the pocket of the Judge of Probate.
2nd the Superior intelligence, management, ability to fee lauyer and I say it reluctantly villainos of the former masters. Super added to this the former prestige of Slavery is not and cannot be destroyed in one generation, [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] hence the prejudice is all against the negro & the doubts where doubts exist are given against him. The only remedy for the existing evil (if you will allow me to offer a suggestion) is 1st to revoke or annul all letters [[strikethrough]] from [[/strikethrough]] of indenture heretofore granted.
2nd to constitute a Tribunal [[strikethrough]] for the [[/strikethrough]] of special jurisdiction in such matters; the Officer or presiding Judge receiving his salary direct from the government or State, so that no money influence may pervert justice.
In conclusion in writing to you I am animated by none other than right motives. I am of Southern birth, a Secessionist, Southern to the Core, a former slaveholder. But I accept honorably the issues of the war & all their incidents, am as ready to resist any act of aggression or injustice towards the Negro in his newly right privileges & liberties bestowed upon him by the General and State governments as I have been heretofore ready to assert what I believed to be the rights of the South. My sincere desire is that full and ample justice may be accorded [[strikethrough]] the negro [[/strikethrough]] by the [[strikethrough]] peo [[/strikethrough]] Authorities & people of the Southern States to the Freedmen & Women in their new relations & that the harmony of the States may be renewed & forever perpetuated.
My address is Crawford Ala. From Respectfully
Sell Strong