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I wish to be informed what course I am to pursue in reference to criminals and in making arrests. Complaints are being made to me continually by people who have lost sheep, hogs, horses, tct [[strikethrough]] stealing [[/strikethrough]] (being very prevalent here) - They tell me that magistrates refuse to issue warrants for the arrest of Freedmen - what am I to do? - I cannot go myself - But supposing the [[strikethrough]] y [[/strikethrough]] civil authority would arrest a man ( I have such a case in hand now) and the Freedmens Court should find him guilty, and Sentence him - will you be pleased to inform me how the sentence is to be carried out - the jail here wouldnt hold an Elephant, and there is no jailer, but in the event of the jail being made habitable, suppose the civil authorities should decline to receive my convicts, who is to take care of them in the time that would necessarily Elapse before I could lay the case before you. These are difficulties not of a possible, but of a present nature, & which is allowed to continue will make us the butt and laughing stock of the whole country.
I have the Honor to be Respy
James Ashworth
Capt & Asst Supt.