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

Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
OFFICE AGENT FOR SPALDING COUNTY,
Griffin, Ga., July 18, 1866

Capt. E.M.L. Ehlers
A.S.A. Commissioner
Bureau R.F. & A.L.

Capt
I send you herewith two inclosures - one a copy of a communication by myself to the Mayor of Griffin, and the second, his reply.

In making my communication I imagined that I was following the instructions of my Superiors, and receiving the reply I did  - "dictating" and advising me of my duty, powers and position, I feel that an attempt is being made to make me the Servant of two Masters, which the Bible says cannot be done - besides, after a four years' struggle for the right of choosing, I prefer to choose who shall dictate to me.

The collision refered to in my