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5

any sufficient provocation was admitted by the defence. The accused was defended by Col John B Young and Judge Crump of Richmond, and by other able counsel.

The case having been closed the Jury retired and after a brief absence brought in a verdict of "Not Guilty."

Without venturing a recommendation in this instance I am constrained to say that in my judgment this finding of the Jury adds but another to the already long list of cases which proves that the black man may not hope for justice or protection at the hands of his former masters, and establishes beyond a doubt the wisdom and righteousness of the Reconstruction Acts.

I am, Very Respectfully,
Your Obt Servt,
Ira Ayer Jr.
A.S.A. Comr.

Transcription Notes:
Unsure about the name Crump in the first paragraph. Unsure about the name Ira Ayeror at the closing of the letter. ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-12-08 13:14:15