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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