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Office of Sub Ass't Commissioner
Bureau of R.F. and A.L.
Greenville Ala. July 20th 1867

O. D. Kinsman
Sub Ass't Commissioner
B.R.F. and A.L.
Head Qrs Montgomery, Ala

Sir
I have the honor to make the following statement; -

On the 4th of July (Inst) I saw a man, whose name I afterwards learned was John Wright, and occupation Deputy Assessor for Butler County, in the act of taking pistols from Freedmen who had not given them in for tax, They generally had not the means to pay the tax on that day, and in default of the same, he (Wright) took their pistols. The laws of the United States read expressly, "That no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law"  In these Cases there was no "process" except the transferring of the pistols from their proper owners to Mr Wright. On the day alluded to, the Official observed the state law, with unwonted assiduity. This was pre=arranged by himself, and others of his stamp, in town. Threatenings were made by them, that if the "Negroes" went around on the 4th carrying the U.S. flag, they should be disarmed. In acting thus Mr. Wright said

Transcription Notes:
unwonted = unaccustomed or unusual ed