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management of affairs, and that of the well known laxity of many of them about telling the truth-
The outrage to which I have above referred was the murder of a certain respectable Freedman named Ned Holmes who lived in the north-western corner of the county, and who was shot dead by some unknown person or persons while at work in his field - He was inoffensive, industrious, and wealthy for his color, and the owner of a considerable tract of land. Some five months ago a difficulty arose between him and a white neighbor named Burgess about the line dividing their respective lands. The civil authorities acted promptly in the matter, and Burgess, who had threatened to take the life of Holmes, was bound to keep the peace  Suspicions are afloat of this man having been the perpetrator of the deed, or of his having a hand in it, but he claims to have been out of the county when it occurred — He has not been arrested, there being no evidence against him — An inquest was held over the body of Holmes, and the feelings of the community were enlisted in his behalf — Although, at present, I can obtain no clue to the murderer I propose to ferret out the affair, if such a thing is possible — Probably after the lapse of a few weeks it can be more readily accomplished—
But the state of things in Sussex County is [[strikethrough]] still [[/strikethrough]] more unfortunate — Complaints of grievances are continually being made to me either by the whites against the blacks, or by the latter against the former — during my absence of more than a month in Surry and on "Leave" several cases of assault and battery on the persons of Freedmen have occurred, and I fear that the disposition of the respective classes towards one another is not improving — Most of the citizens of the county are 

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