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NARA 81

upon me in such force - armed & disorderly and takeing the advice of some of my friends removed the prisoner to this place for further investigation - and it may be that he will have to be taken to Raymond before Judge Dabney- the prisoner has entered into bonds to appear for trial where it can be done- An effort will be made to have a hearing this evening before Esquire Clark of this place. The bearer who hands you this note is M C Johnson Jr and is desierous to state facts to you - showing how he was imposed upon & the situation he was in when he committed the act, painful to him even under the agrivated & critical situation he found himself in at the time of the committing the act. I really do not think the peace & quiet of my neighborhood to be safe, hundreds of freedmen came upon me in the most menacing manner- demanding Mr Johnson etc which I declined and warned them of the consequences resulting from their tumultious proceedings and by appealing to some of the more considerate of their number was enabled to leave my residence until nearly sunset yesterday evening.

Thinking upone the matter I considered it best to get other officers to act in the case and I told the Freedmen I didn't want to pass judgement in the case as Mr C Johnson Jr resides with my family - This much I thought it my duty to state to you and hope you will be satisfied that the facts shall speak for themselves in the matter.
I remain very respectfully,
Jno M Gready J. Peace

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-02-16 21:04:43 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-02-17 08:54:30 added NARA, pls transcribe as written per instructions, if writer wrote '&' for 'and' pls transcribe as '&'