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Head Quarters Asst. Commr. Dist of Va.
Richmond Va. November 14th 1868.

Respectfully returned to Bvt. Brig. Genl. H.G. Thomas, Captain 20th Infantry, Sub. Asst. Commissioner, 8th Sub District, with a renewed attempt to make him comprehend the imperfections in the within communication, and his endorsements upon the same, dated October 28th and November 15. - 

The loose letter of enquiry from Mr. Beckwell does not assert that he is either a freedman or a refugee or even a loyal citizen, and only gives his unexplained "ideas" that he cannot "get a fair trial in a court at Hillsville".- Neither is the case stated so as to give any clue to its merits or its legal bearings, for consideration at these Head Quarters, in case the party were clearly one of the objects of Bureau care, and indeed - it is not probable that such a bald and meagre appeal to this imagination would, either with or without Bureau interpretation, receive the attention of the General Commanding, or of any military commissioner detailed by him.

This document is forwarded by the S.A. Comm stating that "from what he can learn without assisting Hillsville, he should think it well to have the case investigated by a Mil Commissioner." - There is no hint of what the S.A.C. could learn, and no shadow of reason assigned, why the case should receive the attention of this Bureau. Not even is there a request for instruction then made