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Brazoria June 26th, 1867
Lt Duggan
Agent Freedman Bureau

Lt.
Understanding that the complaint of Adelaide Spencer, a freed woman against myself has been referred to you for investigation, and that it would be proper for me to make a counter statement in the case, I would respectfully represent as follows. 

And first I deem it proper to state that I believe I have been sufficiently punished for the offence alleged to have been committed by me on the person of Adelaide about July 1865. It was at a time when the country was in a very unsettled state just after the Army of the Confederate States was disbanded and before the United States Authorities had taken possession of this County. There was no one in this county to execute civil process and there was no military authority to which one could apply for protection. It was also feared at that time there would be great trouble with the colored population and they were inclined to be insolent & overbearing It was at this time made known to me from authority which I could not doubt