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Hickory Flat Ala, 7th Feby 1868.

Maj. Jno O D Smith

Dear Sir, I left Lafayette yesterday after two o clock P.M, at which time only seven hundred and one votes 701. Votes were poled, every means foul or fair was resorted to, to keep men from the polls, and from voting false tales, domineering, browbeating and turning out of employment laborers, were some of the means used in keeping men from the polls; with such tales as that there is, there will be no election, that your friend will be elected, that your measure will carry. Therefore, as it is so far do not go to the polls. 

Judge Richards as I was informed discharged a Freedman for voting, and remarked that "if they wanted to commence let them  commence on him"

The executive committee requested to be informed of any violations of the law, on the day of voting and "to take affidavits on the spot." Now Sir this is impossible because you can get no one to do it, and if you could you would greatly imperel [[imperil]] your personal safety. 

It is impossible in this county for freedmen in civil or criminal proceedings