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traitors  to justice, and I affirm that they will not only re-occur but be overlooked unless the strong arm of the military power be brought into use and they be made to cease. There is no law nor justice for colored men in the county except as exacted by and through the Bureau.

Mr. Taylor leaving the county in such a hurry, did not communicate with me nor has he since, that I can learn, with any one in the county; and it is reported that he died of his injuries on his way to N.Y. from Norfolk   I am therefore unable to report his whereabouts. He expected, when leaving, to return again, for he so stated to his colored neighbors, while cautioning them to remain quiet and create no disturbance, and that then justice would be done him.

In view of the above facts, which I ascertained upon careful investigation, and in view of the fact of the impossibility of obtaining justice through the civil courts, especially as the guilty parties are scions of the best families of the county, I would respectfully recommend the issuance of a military order for their arrest, and a sufficient guard to accompany the same to successfully carry it into effect.

Very Respectfully
Your Obedt Servt
P.H. Mc Laughlin
Asst Sub Asst Com &c