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La Fayette, Ala. June 15, 1867.

Rev. C. W. Buckley, Sup't of Education:

I inclose two articles, published in the Chambers Tribune, in relation to our Public Meeting of June 1st, not because I consider it of any particular consequence what I say or write, but, as the Editor has seen fit, to call the attention of Gen. Swayne to my letter to prove the loyalty of this county, I wish to say a word in explanation. There is an immense amount of 'good will' expressed toward the negroes, how much is felt I do not know; there is a perfect 'willingness' manifested to accord them equal rights; how much existed before the passage of the Reconstruction Bill, I can not even get an idea of by guessing; the effort to educate the freedmen is worthy of praise, let them have the full benefit of it.

Now for facts to show the real feeling among the whites of this county; I have had a good many cases brought to my notice, where freedmen worked from six months to a year without being able to get any pay; I have advised them to state their cases to some lawyer & have a suit commenced; this has been done by one or two. Some not only lost their wages; but were arrested by their employers on false charges & kept in prison a long time. Many complain of hard treatment.

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