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J. 220. R.F. & A.L. Va. 3d Vol. 1867 Bureau Refugee Freedmen &c Off A.S.A.C. 2d Div. 6th Sub Dist Va Bowling Green, Va. Oct 21 1867 O'Dwyer John Brevet Col and A.S.A.C. Reports the trial at October term of County Court of four Freedmen - John Chew, Reuben Wright, Cornelius Morris and Robt Wright charged with highway robbery and riot. They were found guilty and sentenced respectively to 15, 12, and 10 years in the Penitentiary. LB. 1 vol 775-1867. Bureau R.F. and A. Lands H.Q. Sub A.C. 6th Sub Dist. Va. Fredericksburg, Va. Oct. 28th 1867 Respectfully forwarded to Brevet Brig Genl O. Brown Asst Commr The verdict of the jury in the within case seems unjustly severe. The act of going to Mr. Trices was committed under an impression (in their ignorance) that their Political rights and duty required them to interest themselves to the extent of forcing all colored people to attend political meetings. I am well satisfied that these men in committing this act had an adviser who cannot be directly implicated and that the demanding and obtaining of the due bill was not premeditated - but the impulse of the moment - under a supposed right - Mr. Trice having committed an assault upon Chew Christmas 1865, from promising Chew $18, if he would not report him (Trice) to the Bureau I believe under all the circumstances that the Condemned have already suffered quite enough.
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Reopened for Editing 2023-10-23 09:25:30