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112
Office Bureau R.F and A.L
Palestine Texas February 18th A.D. 1868

JP Richardson
1st Lt. 2d Infantry, AAA. Gen.

Sir,
Papers returned and respectfully answered in following manner, "First - I gave the Order Spoken of by Harris, upon his Harris'es [[Harris's]]own Statement. afterwards having the freedmen and Harris to come to my Office together and at that time upon investigation with the freedman and Harris, finding Harris was not disposed to do what was right in the premises [[underline]]revoked said Order[[/underline]], and made such a settlement as I considered [[underline]]Just, right, and proper between all parties,[[/underline]] so far as the due bill is concerned it was given to be paid in Specie. I refer to [[underline]]Order No 19 for my authority[[/underline]] in this; Had I of done as the said Harris desired, and  wished, and had of acted solely on his first Statement would of robbed others for Harris. and with Harris I would of been all right and no report would of been forwarded to Head Quarters, I have honestly discharged my duty as agent of this Bureau between Mr. Harris and the Freedmen. And such names as [[underline]]John H. Reagan[[/underline]] and others who appear recommending Mr. Harris. I hope the time will yet come when all such who were the leaders in rebellion and are still Rebells [Rebels] and at war against Congress and the powers that are and who are ever ready to conspire against a Union Man and ever ready to deal unjustly and cheat the freedman and to go against truth and justice toward them may find the error of their way learn to deal honestly with them and they will need no agent. So long as I continue to act as agent for the freedman my aim will be, as it allways [[always]] has been to deal out justice to all parties when cases come before me, and at no time [[underline]]shall freedman be robbed when in my power to prevent the same.[[/underline]]. So far Sir,