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Letters Received & Endorsement Book

[[5 Columned Table]]
| Date | Name and Rank of Writer | Date and Purport of letter |   | Endorsement |
|--- | --- | --- | --- | --- |

| 1867 July 20th | Rutherford Allan Capt 44 US Infty |   | [[strikethrough]] Would not recommend the appointment of Sinclair as agent of Bureau at Lumberton has suspicious character by both Unionists and others in the whole community AR Capt Sub Asst [[/strikethrough]] | Hd Qrts Sub Dist No 4 [[strikethrough]] Wilmington N.C. 20th July 1867 Respectfully returned to Col J F Chur A.A.A. Genl with remarks. Considers Mr Birnie the most efficient and active agent that has ever been at Lumberton. Rev James Sinclair has a very unenviable character grave charges are circulated and are currently beleive by both unionist and others concerning Sinclair character Allan Rutherford Capt 44 US Infantry Sub Asst Commss [[/strikethrough]] |

|   |   |   |   | Hd Qurts Sub Dist No 7 20th July 1867 Respectfully returned to J F Chur AAA Gen with remarks. I consider Mr Birnie the most efficient and active agent that has ever been at Lumberton. And this is the first intimation I have ever received that any complaint has been made against him.  All the colored people of this County with whom I have conversed say that he gives them satisfaction all officers of this Bureau labor under this difficulty. that the colored people imagine they have the Jurisdiction in all cases and have power to arrest and punish offenders. From past experience they have no confidence in  persons who are exercising the functions of Civil Magistrate and when the officer refers a case to the Magistrate for action they say beforehand that they cannot get Justice there, and in most instances I think the Bureau officer has done wrong because he did not arrest the offender and try him himself Mr Sinclair is very unpopular in this community  PS. over |

Transcription Notes:
8/1 - appears to be 5 columned table because column and row date related to letter