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several negro defendants were fairly conducted and they were allowed every facility and privilege claimed by, or guarantied to white persons. Indeed our courts have always been kind and considerate to free negroes. As to the colored witnesses against the white prisoner, no objection was made by Judge or counsel, but their testimony was fully received. Therefore from my experience and from other sources of information I must answer your question as to the attitude of the negro before the law, and say that I believe fair and ample justice will be awarded him by our Magistrates and Judges. 

As to the freedmens condition in this vicinity, I believe the negro is "near about" pari passu with the poor white. Some of the freedmen are industrious: all of them can be employed if they prefer to be. Generally they are law abiding, occasionally

Transcription Notes:
last word completed to avoid truncation pari passu clause is a standard clause in public or private international unsecured debt obligations "par e passee" = "by the way" in French