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Office Sub-Assistant Commissioner,
Bureau R., F. & A.L., State of Texas.
Austin Tex. Sept. 4, 1866.

Bvt. Col. Wm H Sinclair

Colonel
I have the honor to call your attention to reports in circulation relative to the course pursued by Mr. Delano, Sub. Asst. Comr. at Marlin, Falls Co. Texas.

I have just conversed with Mr. Geo. J. Elam, Asst. Assessor of Internal Revenue at Belton, Bell Co. from whom I obtained information of the manner in which Mr. Delano is in the habit of discharging the duties of S.A. Comr. I am reliably informed that he is in the habit of putting freedmen to torture, who may have violated their contracts, by tying them up by their thumbs and punishments similar in their nature. One case referred to by my informant, Mr. Delano, in collecting for ten men, who had $30.# due each of them for picking cotton last year, gave each $5.# and told them it cost $25.# to collect the money.

I state these facts, not with any desire to do injustice to Mr. Delano, nor to influence the Asst Com in the case, but simply that