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NARA 207

which the freedmen swore they did not understand as understood & construed by Dr Quinn who wrote the contracts.

By this decision Mrs Reeves makes clear about $1500 - while Tempa the freedwoman gets not more than $700. at the outside.

Believing that the contract ought to be determined & construed according to the meaning, & intent of the parties & not according to technical rules, & that great injustice was done the freedwomen &c they applied to the Sub. Dist. Comr. Maj. Norton at Jackson who set aside the award and ordered a new trial to take place at Brandon tomorrow (Jany. 2nd 1868)

Understanding that the other party intend applying. to you by Tellegraph or by letter or in person, to interpose & prevent this new trial, I write at the instance of the freedmen to beg you respectfully to let the case go on as it is.

We think at another hearing we can get the matter decided according to the understanding of the parties & that mere legal or technical construction of written contracts will not opperate - to deprive the laborers of their just rights

Very Respy
Yr Obdt. Servt.
Richard Cooper

P.S. Reference is respectfully made to A.H Arthur Esqr Vicksburg Bank

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