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Kinsman Olustee Ala May 12th 1867 Genrl Swaine Sir I write you in refference to my hired freedmen leaving me Two of my hands left me last night That I had made a written contract with & in which they promised to obey all reasonable orders & I can prove by them & the rest of my hands that I never made an unreasonable request of them while they were here & I never have hit them a lick & I have given them a plenty to eat But on their part they have violated the contract all the [[strikethrough]] m [[/strikethrough]] time they have also broken into my Smoke house & Stolen my Syrup & being afraid that I would catch them at it they Spilt a large Quantity of it They have left my crop in a bad fix after I have been at a great deal of expense Now what am I to do I can only look to you for protection Have I any redress by the civil law & if so what is it Please write me by return mail Very Respectfully R. E. Huey.
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