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Office Asst Supt
Bureau RF & AL
& Provost Marshal
Suffolk Feby 28th 1866

Capt James A Bates
AAAG

Sir. In compliance, with Circular 6 CS I have the honor to report
 
1st Freedmens Court
I have associated with me a worthy magistrate who I believe means to be just. We do not disagree. The 3d member, chosen by the Freedmen declined from prudential reasons to sit  I discourage litigation, the tendency being to widen the breach between, whites and blacks  'Tis one of the unpardonable sins, for a "nigger" to complain to the "Yankees", and terrible threats are muttered against him The people are poor and can illy afford to pay costs  The principal claims of the blacks are for labor between the date of "Lees surrender and Christmas"   Where they were well fed and clothed, well treated, and felt they could leave at any time, I allow them but little, unless something had been said in regard to competent wages for said period   I allow witnesses nothing, and generally make the costs of a suit $2.50/100

2d  State of feeling between the whites & freedmen
The purpose of a majority of the whites is to keep the freedmen intimidated; and they succeed; but few of the latter who come to me for redress

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