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Central Institute Ala.
Dec 17th 1866

Hon C. Dr. Kinsman
Superintendant Bureau of F. R. & A. L
Montgomery Ala
 
Dear Sir:
I presume by recent developments that you have not received my official letter of 21st Ult. in reference to the case of James Burbage (colored) reported to me from your office upon which a trial was held on the 19th Ult. I will therefore again briefly recount the case as it occured.  On the 14th Ult. I received a letter by Burbage containing instructions and accompanied with a copy of General order No. 44, I asked Burbage when it would suit him to have a trial provided I could have the parties arrested  he answered on Monday (19th) I asked him to call again and I would take the necessary steps to address his wrongs.  I took his affidavit which corresponded substantially with the expression in your letter as to names  &c. He called again and I asked him sundry questions and among them asked him what he expected to gain by this act. He replied that he thought it a good way to make two or three hundred dollars.  I told him it was the longest road he ever traveled to make money, and explain to him the law.  In the mean time I had learned the outside of the case and I told him that he had implicated some persons who was not charge able, hence, some of cases might go against him and according to the law the cost would fall on him.  He asked me if he was in any danger of arrest, I told him no, that the would protect him in right.