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do not, nor does either of them change the rights of the accused or the power of the Government in criminal cases

First because Congress had no power to change them having no right to alter or violate the Constitution.

Secondly because they do not profess to effect such change but [[relate?]] in times to come proceedings and rights of living freedmen, or criminal cases in which live freedmen have been denied justice and a fair trial - and do not propose to govern the trial of white men for the benefit of dead freedmen

Fourthly because, at the most the jurisdiction conferred by one or both of them is concurrent and not exclusive, and the settled rule in such cases in the Courts of the United States is that the Court first taking jurisdiction shall take it to the conclusion of the case

VIII Because the authority of the State Court which acquitted your petitioner was as complete as that of any Court can be, and if it may be reviewed by a Military Commander so may the decision of any other Court in this State or any other State, and "[[?]] may come again". & The State 

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-10-01 13:09:43