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War Department
Bureau of Refugees Freedmen &c.
Washington 31st January 1866

Respectfully Returned.
As the best part of the fmens lives have been spent in the service of their former masters and as a tacit understanding has always existed that, when a negro has worked faithfully during his younger years he shall be taken care of by his master in his old age & as in this case the men were only freed in old age, it is held that the mere act of freedom does not free the former owner from his obligations; incurred during a period of 20 or 30 years

By order of Maj Gen'l Howard
Max Woodhull

Transcription Notes:
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