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Waverly. Chambers Co Ala
Dec 30th 1867

General Swayne
Most Respected Sir
I had a negro woman, who left me immediately after she was free who had a daughter. which I have raised and which my which my wife was compelled to suckle when an infant owing to the condition of her mother. She is now fourteen years old. I have raised her in my house as one of my family and have taught her to read and spell. She is now a smart & intelligent girl Her father lives in Virginia where I was raised myself. He wrote to me in April 1866 requesting me to keep the girl untill he called for her and not to let her mother have the girl. Consequently, I had her bound to me, the name of the girl is Lucy Whitehorn. Last week her mother (Celia) forced her away against the girl's will. The girl Lucy wishes to choose me for her guardian as she is unwilling to live with her mother. Her mother has six other children which she has dragged about over the country to poverty & shame. They are now nearly naked and without subsistence.

I wish to know if you will give me authority to bring her, Lucy, back under my charge as she (Lucy) herself desires. I am willing to keep her untill she is 18 yrs old and treat her as one of my family at the expiration of which time, (if her father does not call for her) I am will to give her whatever the law requires. My address is Loachapoka Ala.
Yours Most Obedient
L. B. Whitehorn 

Transcription Notes:
edited: corrections