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Roseland, Near Fortress Monroe
Jul 31st 1865

My dear Sir;
   
I venture to enclose you the orders made on its organization yesterday, by the Court of my County, (Elizabeth City) which, I am sure,  will be regarded with interest by the Freedmen's Bureau.
   
As one of the Commission charged with conference with the Military Authorities I had concluded, before seeing the plan adopted in Alexandria, to suggest a similar one for our County, more interested in the subject perhaps than other County or locality in the State, owing to the very large number of Colored population among us.
   
It seems to me, in all deference, that this is abut the best possible disposition that can be made of this delicate and perplexing subject.  And a single reason seems to me conclusive to the question.
   
By the existing laws of Virginia, negro testimony is excluded, and many other enactments inconsistent with the present Status of the negro, remain on the Statute book unrepealed.  Doubtless, the  Legislature will in time make many and material  modifications in the premises, certainly in reference to negro testimony.
   
But until these modification shall be made, the old laws remain in force, and the Civil Authorities are bound by both to respect them.  For example: when a case

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-01-30 12:28:38 to correct a couple typos, but also to removed indents (remember to LEFT justify)