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St. Joseph La
July 18th 1871

[[stamp]]THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [[/stamp]]

Genl. O.O. Howard
Com'r B.R.F & A.L.
Washington City

Sir

Some time in 1868 Capt. Edward Henderson Asst. Sub Asst. Commissioner of B.R.F & A.L. bound or apprenticed to me a little boy about 7 years of age (colored).  This little boy was brought to him to be supported & was in starving condition and in wretched health.  he had no relations except some distant ones, who had thrown him off.  I kept him until this spring when they, seeing he had recovered and was in a condition to benefit them, Stold him from me.  I had taken much pains with him & had taught him to read - I have made attempts to get him back but find it dificult to do without applying to the law.  Our Judge tells me I can do nothing until I get a copy of the papers binding him to me.  I would