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Mobile Ala June 25th 1867

Major Genl. Wager Swayne
Commanding Dept State Ala.

Sir;

The condition & situation of our people publically & otherwise, induce us to make some suggestions, for your consideration with a view to our better security in various respects.

Immediately after the surrender military order were issued, intended to secure the rights of colored men in the courts of justice. These orders failed to secure them, in these courts, in their equal rights, in the awards of punishment &c. & to all intents & purposes many of the odious provisions of the state code remained in full opperation to the oppression of our race.

Then came the civil rights bill which as a law of congress we were induced to believe would secure us in our full equal rights & priviledges before the law as citizens. What was the results? Nothing for our good so far as an practical advantage is concerned. Up to the time the changes was made from civil back to military rule again That bill was utterly ignored by the courts of the State & counties. No enforcement of our right could be had not withstanding our repeated application to the Freedmens Bureau Dept for aid & redress.

Transcription Notes:
2-24-2021: Transcribed per guidelines (spelling errors transcribed as is) and marking for review