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other commissioners to do wrong by imposing on the freedmen or the white people.  I am sorry to say that several of the freedmen have during the last 3 or 4 months said repeatedly in different parts of the county that Mr. Puryear had told them all, that that every freedman must pay him from $1½ to $3 in money, or the worth of it in corn, for attending to their business as commissioner.  I know some freedmen of high character who have said lately that they had to pay Mr. P $3 and wanted to borrow money to pay him.  What reason have they to tell lies on or slander Mr. Puryear.  

Some, indeed many of the white folks, believe these charges to be true, but they hate to inform you, or they dont know what Mr. P might bring suit for slander, as these charges are made by the blacks and their evidence might not be taken for sufficient proof, you know, in any court.  Now when both the freedmen and the white folks think strange of Mr P's conduct, I guess, that you ought to have the matter looked into.  Where their is great smoke there is always more or less fire, you know, General, very well.  The county commissioner ought to do justice to all, the freedmen & all of the white people too, & show favors to none and levy fees & receive amounts of money or corn from from none neither. Sir Said Mr. Puryear's corn crib has been pretty well filled since Nov, by the corn carried in by the freedmen to pay him for his services as commissioner.  The poor free negros have I guess been much imposed on by him, unless they have told a sight of lies upon him, & this I can't well understand.  Having heard a quantity of complaints made secretly & privately and wishing well to the freedmen & no harm at all to Mr. Puryear, I have concluded to drop you a letter & advise you to order some of your men in the county to enquire privately and secretly into & about Mr P's character, habits & all about

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