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Albany, Ga. July 6, 1866.
B. 39- O.A.C. 1866.
Brown Paul, (Freedmen.)

States that his tools have been levied on by his former Master, and that he has had to give his note for the payment of $160 on 1st Dec'r next - that Lt. Strong says a man's former Master can come and take the property which he owned as a slave - Asks to know whether or not this is so.

(one enclosure)

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

Rec'd O.A C July 26th 1866


Office A. Com'r Bureau R.F. & A.L.
Augusta, Ga. July 20th 1866.

Respectfully referred to Lt. H.C. Strong A.S.A. Com'r, Albany, Ga., for investigation and report. - If the tools in question were owned by the freedman Paul Brown previous to his emancipation, in accordance, with the then existing laws of this State permitting slaves to own certain property in the name of their masters, then the former owner of Paul Brown cannot now demand that these tools shall be returned to him,  or that he is entitled to payment in lieu thereof.

By Command of 
Bt. Maj. Gen. Tillson,
W.W. Deane
Capt. & A.A.G.

E&M 274.

Office A.S.A. Com'r
Albany Ga. July 25th 1866.

Respectfully returned to Capt. W.W. Deane A.A.G. Dist. of Ga. with report.

The tools were not levied on, by any one.  The tools in question were not owned by the within named freedman, before he was emancipated, nor does he now claim them as so belonging; but the question as to the identical tools he, Paul Brown, had purchased, out of his own time while in bondage was difficult to determine, and was left to him to point out such as were bought by him, that the balance of the check might either be returned to their owner, on Jan 1st 1867, or be purchased by Paul Brown the latter of which, he chose & gave his obligation, properly secured for the payment therefor.

H.C. Strong
Late 1st Lt. 11th V.R.C.