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Office Supt. R.F. & A.L.
9th Dist. State of Va.
Fort Monroe. Oct. 2d 1865.

Col. O. Brown
Asst. Comr. Freedmens Bureau State of Va.
Richmond. Va.

Colonel. We are on track of a very valuable estate covered by a judgment in favor of our Government. Before the war it belonged to one Southall who was a defaulter for fifty (50) to seventy five (75) thousand dollars. Now Mr. J.W. Custus is trying to get it under cover for kinship and a pardon. Things look more hopeful about Yorktown and Gloucester. Capt. Coffin is off on a furlough of thirty days instead of ten as I supposed and next to nobody left to attend to our business from sickness or something else. What is the reply to the Generals telegraphic request to the Secretary of war on the evening you left here, about allowing us to rent farms not petitioned for, for one year from Jan. 1st/66. That would help us wonderfully, even if the rents went to the one pardoned. Another thing would work favorable if pardons and applications were recommended on condition that Colord people on places were allowed to remain for a year or more or be employed on fair terms.

I am Colonel very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt
C.B. Wilder
Capt. and A.Q.M. and
Supt. R.F. and A.L.