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Bureau R F & A L. Office Asst
Supt Sub Dist of Hanover.
Ashland, Va. Jany 17. 1867

Capt James A Bates
Supt 3d Dist Dept of Potomac.
Richmond. Va.

Sir:
I have the honor to report that on the 14th inst Philip Jones (col'd) was arrested and tried upon the charge of stealing. He was "discharged"; but the Magistrate affirming that there was a "slight suspicion of guilt" required him to pay all the costs.

In my judgment the evidence fully exonerated the accused from guilt; but admitting that it left a "slight suspicion" resting upon him, I respectfully request to be informed whether that would constitute sufficient ground for the action taken. I have looked for the law upon this point, but have not been able to find anything definite or satisfactory.

I am Very Respectfully
Your obt servt
Ira Ayer Jr Bvt Col & Asst Supt.

Bureau R.F and AL
Office Sup't 3d Dis't D.P.
Richmond Va Jan'y 28th/67

Respectfully returned to Bv't Brig Gen'l O Brown A.A.A.G &c. inviting attention to to endorsement of Bv't Col. Ira Ayer Jr Ass't Sup't, hereon.
James A. Bates
Cap't 43d Infty & Supt

E and M
23 & 24 Vol 1

[[stamp]] BUREAU OF R. F. & A. L. * * * STATE OF VIRGINIA RECD. HD QRS. ASST COMMISSIONER JAN 29 1867 [[/stamp]]