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Carthage Smith County Tenn
February 1st 1866

Brig. Genl. Fisk
Nashville Tenn

Sir~ Please inform me in regard to "Sect. 12. of Manual Collection of Debts

Can I compell a Former Owner of a Slave or Slaves to pay said Slaves wages for services heretofore rendered their Former Masters- When they voluntarily stayed without any contract or remuneration promised them, If so how far Back can I calculate their services under these conditions
In other words I want to know if a Freed Man can sue his Former Master for services rendered when said Freed Man voluntarily remained with his Master or Masters without any Contract being made.

An early reply will be thankfully received

Yours truly
James M. Shoemaker
Agent