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so far, which I give in order that pressure of business may not occasion you to lose sight of so important a matter.

I desire to hear from you [[crossed out]] if [[\crossed out]] whether anything further in the way of information is desired. In my last communication you will notice facts enough to convince you that flagrant injustice has been done these negros; in fact, it is virtually kidnapping. The law (the Statute of Ala) under which these negros were apprenticed has I believe since been set aside by order of Genl Swayne. The law was very objectionable; it was in fact an attempt to get around emancipation, for it gave preference to "former owners". And if the law was objectionable I know from our experience in the practice there that proceedings under it were altogether unjust for all the "former owner" had to do was to pay a lawyer to write the indentures, & he then stepped into the Private Office & the Judge signed. 

I desire to call especial attention to "Lawson" and "Patsy", the children of Aggie. Aggie, their mother is fully able to support them; indeed under the supervision of their mother the children could support themselves, for they are 8 or 10 yrs old. Just before this man left Ala. for Texas, Aggie stole his children from him & tried to make her    

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-04-12 14:38:06