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Bureau R.F. and A L
Office 3rd Div 9th Sub Dist Va
Woodstock Dec 7th 1868

Genl O Brown
Asst Com Richmond Va 

Genl  You will perceive my action in the case of Minor Johnson has been endorsed upon the papers by Capt John A McDonnell as absurd, I feel it my duty to make a statements of the Reasons which induced me to pursue this course.

1st   At the time Minor Johnson was convicted Mr Wartman was not the presiding Justice  he has been Elected to that office since that time, nor was he one of the magistrates who sat in Minor Johnson's trial,  2nd  Mr Wartman is a gentleman whom I could trust for a truthful statement of any case, I will briefly give you the Reasons, At Nov Court in Harrisonburg Mr Wartman was the presiding Justice, A case came before the Court where a white man was indicted for striking a Freedman.  The offence was clearly proven but the Jury Returned a verdict not guilty, I went on the bench and told the Court I Regretted such a verdict should have been Rendered, spoke of the bad effect it would have in the community and how injuriously it would affect the Freedman whose interest it was my duty to watch, and my duty

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