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Montgomery, December 23rd, 1867

General Wager Swayne
Montgomery.
General;

I respectfully ask leave to make the following statement of facts, and suggestions, in relation, and addition to the inclosed communication. 

I was verbally informed by Maj. Pierce, that the cause of his interference in the matters referred to in said communication was, for the purpose of securing and providing for the payment of the wages claimed to be due the laborers on said plantation. Now conceding wages to be due, I submit, General, that only the crops raised on the plantation, are bound for them, and that the other property conveyed by said deeds of trust, cannot, properly be detained for their payment; and that the same ought to be restored to me as trustee in those deeds. But the truth is General, that all of said laborers, except three squads, have been fully paid. These three squads made between 40 and 50 bales of cotton, of which they are entitled to one-fourth part. These are between 50 and 60 bales on said premises, and about 5000 bushels of corn, largely more than sufficient to cover any just amount due the freedmen. It is not my desire, General, nor the desire of Mr. Phares , the beneficiary in said deeds, nor the desire of Gary & Melton,