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freedman James Preston was so "sent on", to be finally disposed of by the Circuit Court, which sits here the 15th May next. 

It is true, that although still in jail, the privilege of giving bail has been allowed him. If, therefore, he can produce two Securities, backed by $150.00 each, and can furnish $150.00 security for himself, in addition, he will be set at liberty; but should he fail to do all or any part of this, he must then, of necessity, remain where he is until next May, when his trail will come off. 

Now if there was really any shadow of a necessity for this course; as if, for instance, there enlisted the slightest probability of this man, when he comes to final trial being found equitably guilty of the felony with which he stands charged, there would be some justice in it, but in view of all the circumstances connected with this affair, which have been established by evidence adduced in Court, I respectfully submit, that this not being the case, the freedman has not been, nor is he now being dealt fairly with; for should he ever be liberated on bail, he would until tried- if he is even then acquitted - still rest under the imputation of having committed, instead of merely a misdemeanor, for which he is really amenable, a serious felony, if which he is clearly wholly innocent: And I therefore have the honor to request, that, if any such authority exists, he may be ordered at once unconditionally released, and that the pending charges against him be declared void & of no effect - leaving the Court Authorities, if they so choose, to institute whatever proper measures may be available to have him rearraigned on a charge to which he can be legitimately held accountable.     

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