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slaves on the same muster Rolls as have been paid three hundred dollars it seems as if the mustering officers grew tired of asking the questions whether they were free on or before 1861  The remedy for this would be a law Equalizing the bounts. Three hundred dollars being the amount for three years service and for that amount prorate for each months service.

The law giving bounties to widows (of July 1866,) requires a ceremony to have been performed at the marriage of the parties. The departments rule that unless some minister, Justice of the Peace or other person said a ceremony that it is not a marriage.

You are well aware of the fact that the consent of the owners was the only ceremony that these parties could regard as binding, for no matter how many ceremonies were read by ministers or other persons if these parties did not obtain the counsel of their owners