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0758

forward which Mr Graham has been very active.

As the complaint appears - on its face - to be made with a view to subserve the good order and prosperity of the county of Mecklenburg at large, and the safety of the citizens, and I failed to discover who was aggrieved - except Messrs Baptist, Atkins and Finch - I made such enquiry as I could, as to the special interests of those gentlemen in the labor and good order of the county - their declining to appear before me, preventing such enquiry being made of the gentlemen themselves-. Mr R.B. Baptist President of meeting lives at Boydton - is a lawyer - formerly County clerk - owns a house and lot in Boydton - but does not employ any save house labor.

Mr. W.T. Atkins - Secretary of the meeting - lives at Boydton - is a lawyer - formerly Deputy Clerk under Mr Baptist - is law partner of Mr Thomas F. Goode of Boydton, who assaulted Mr Geo W. Graham on the 17th of March last - and is a brother of Grey Atkins the unsuccessful applicant for position of Commissioner of the Revenue in Mecklenburg County. Mr H.P.B. Poole of Clarksville, receiving the appointment from Major General Schofield, and it was on account of some fancied agency of Mr Graham in securing this appointment, that his friend Mr. Thos. F. Goode insulted and assaulted Mr Graham - Mr Atkins neither owns nor cultivates land or employs any labor except house help.

Mr. G.B. Finch - the Committee - is also a lawyer - does not own or cultivate land, or employ even house labor as he boards at the same Hotel where Mr Graham did, at the time the meeting - referred to in the complaint - was held.

Against the testimony of these gentlemen - who all live in the sight of the Court House - is that of Messrs Tarwater, White and

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