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that was had by said Col. Star that the said freedmen had formerly belonged to your petitioners, and had resided with them up to the last of December 1866, about which time they quit their employment, and went to the farm of said Beal, that about two weeks thereafter said freedmen became dissatisfied with said Beal, and beged divers good citizens in the neighborhood to visit your petitioners and get their (petitioners) permission for them (said freedmen) to return to their old homes, which applications were made, and were refused - that shortly thereafter, one of said freedmen came to petitioner, Hart's residence and beged him to let them (said freedmen) return to his employment, that a few days thereafter, your petitioners together with some of their neighbors went to the residence of said Beal, and told said freedmen that