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La Fayette, Ala. May 29, 1867. 
Rev. C.W. Buckley, State Supt. of Schools: 
[[stamp]] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [[/stamp]]

Dear Sir: I wish to call your attention to a case here to show why one man is poor; he entered no complaint to me, but I got the story out of him by asking questions. Stephen Dent, age forty three, on Mar. 29'd 1866 had worked on Joseph James's plantation about three mos. on an agreement for one fourth of the crop, when he was arrested, by authority of a loaded pistol, on charge, (which he denies), of stealing two bushels of corn, taken before a magistrate, committed to jail; Dec. 10, 1866 was bailed out and worked for T. Bradford without wages up to Apr.8, 1867; then recommitted to prison. 

April 25 1867, a Mr. Driver came to him and asked if he would work with him a year if he, D.- would procure his release. Stephen assented, and Driver got him out, as he supposes, by paying about thirty dollars to have a 'nolle prosequi' entered in the case. Stephen now earns for Driver about thirteen dollars per month, he can not help us much about starting the school, can he? 
Another man is now in this jail on charge of stealing a mule, he thinks he could easily prove his innocence, but he is likely to stay there till next Nov. I am just from N.C. and can hardly appreciate these things.
If I had the power I would like to do a little reconstructing.

Transcription Notes:
Nolle prosequi, abbreviated nol or nolle pros, is legal Latin meaning "to be unwilling to pursue"