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but to cases in the Criminal Courts; Negroes are sentenced to the penitentiary for years for petty cases of theft; I do not know whether or not, such penalty is fixed absolutely by law. Nor can I judge whether white men are punished equally in like cases, as only two men have been tried for this offence and they were not convicted. 

There seems to be a settled determination to send all the Negroes possible to the Penitentiary. 

In regard to the impartiality of trials, though there may be an appearance of it, and the freedman may have his witnesses examined, yet I am firmly of the opinion that a jury can scarcely be found in this district before whom the testimony of a Negro will have any weight at all, if it conflicts with the statement of white witnesses. In Slavery the negroes as a class learned to lie and now their former masters are visiting the sin of their own Teachings upon their too apt pupils. 

I believe that the Judges of the County and Criminal Courts, the City Recorder, and one justice of the peace of this City, and the Magistrate in Lynchburg are fair and just men. I am [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] personally acquainted with all of them except Judge Love of the Criminal Court.

But there are two Justices in this City and