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passing over said premises, as it saves them at least a mile round by the road. This beloved man was ordered by Mr. Preston to leave the neighborhood, and never show his face there again, under penalty of being severely punished. This was all on account of his having joined the Union League on Saturday last. Other Colored men employed by Mr. Preston are threatened with immediate dismissal from service, if they do not follow out his directions, in regard to their exercising the electric franchise. I am informed that there are numerous other instances, where the colored men dare not unite with the Republican Party, for fear of being dismissed from service. It has also been publicly stated "that it will take a larger standing army that the United States possesses, to compel persons who have freedmen in their employ, to keep them in service should they not favor their peculiar political opinions, and be governed by their directions." I think it probable that certain parties want this thing tested, whether any thing could be done with them, for expelling freedmen from their service, on account of their political associations, Immediately on hearing of the 1st case referred to in this report, I addressed a communication to Mr. W. R. Preston, requiring him to appear at these Hd. Deers, for an in-negotiation of the facts in the case- but on this date received an answer, through one of his neighbors "What he would not report to me t ono Damn Yankee, that I might go to H__ and k__ his a__.

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-10-06 12:11:02