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After the theft of my property I concluded to follow my profession and applied for admission at the bar of this county; but although qualified to practice in the U.S. Courts a court of magistrates who were all with one exception disenfranchised rebels refused to give me the necessary certificate and Genl. Schofiëld refused to interfere for my protection. From 1865 until now - 3 years and 3 months I have kept myself and family on what little means I had, but they are now exhausted I was a member of the late Constitutional Convention in this State; author of the petition to Congress for a continuance of the Bureau and Chairman of the committee on that subject. I was a delegate to and one of the Secretaries of the late Chicago Convention and an Presidential Elector of my Congressional district. What little means I accumulated in the Convention have been spent in canvassing I merely mentioned this facts that you may judge of my standing amongst loyal men hereabouts.

From my long residence here and earnest labors in the cause of freedom, justice and equality I believe I possess the confidence of loyal men throughout my State and of the Freedmen of this and the adjourning Counties of Charlotte, Lunenburg, Cumberland, Aurelia