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217

Jan'y 28th  6

S. H. Melcher
Supt at La Grange Tenn.

Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of Jan 16th, reporting the horrible outrage committed upon "Archie" (col) by B. Kyle, his former master. One blushes for humanity when he reads the record you give of the case. You should arrest Kyle, fine him heavily, and compel him to pay exemplary damages to the boy. "Castration" and "ears cropping" are crimes which ought to call down the vengeance of the civil law, but the consciences of our Civil Authorities, in matters in which negroes are concerned, appear to be callous.

I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
J.E. Jacobs
Bvt Lt. Col. & A.A.A.G.