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Jan 1838 I was admitted to the practice of this law, and subsequently was elected Judge in a city of 20 thousand, during my days of prosperity, I gave thirty thousand dollars for the good of the colored [[strikethrough]] [[illegible]] [[/strikethrough]] race and think I might yet render them and my country some good use. I am in a situation where I could advise them to be faithful to live up to their contracts and compel honest payment to be made at the expiration of the time of service which, I am convinced is not always done so far as I have noticed young men are in charge, and it is said, are inclined [[strikethrough]] to [[/strikethrough]] to drink, and gamble, thus rendering it necessary to receive small presents or small interests in cotton. I will mention one case that is within my personal knowledge, last year I was a partner with a man by the name of Smith to cultivate his Plantation in cotton, and corn. I being popular with the freedmen found no difficulty in getting all the help we wanted and commenced under favorable circumstances. I made the first second and third payments, and then called on Smith to pay the bill which he failed to do the freedmen went to the Capt. and