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as the pleading ended and before the matter was decided upon I was attack in a most insulting manner and shot twice and am now not able to leave my room, I now call upon you if you have the authority to see that I have my rights as an American Citizen, not only has the negroes rights been trampled under foot but my rights as an attorney has been taken from me and at this very moment my life is in eminent danger from this same lawless mob, if I go to court ever to defend myself I no not know  that I will return a live, I am perhaps the oldest magistrate in the State of Alabama having served 27 or 28 years I have always enjoyed the friendship of all the good Citizens, having never been beeten in an election, These black cavalry raids are very frequent here, they are always acquitted and this emboldens them, and they are composed of disloyal men who are opposed to the U.S. government it is impossible for the laws to be executed here where freedmen are conserned and they are consequently in a very helpless condition, No man dare to defend their cause let them be ever so innocent. I have on several occasions been grosely insulted as a Magistrate for doing my simple duty. I think it has come to a pretty pass that I as a Lawyer and