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is looked upon by them as an absolute injustice. This question, though of comparitively minor importance to the land owner, is one of vital interest to the freed people, thousands of whom would be deprived of shelter, of any kind, during the most inclement months of winter, were the requirements of the land proprietors complied with, (The Freedmens Court for this county is carrying out its labors, as successfully as the means placed at its disposal will allow. Its business has greatly increased and is augmenting daily, The white residents accept its benefits to quite as great an extent (in proportion to numbers) as the freed people. The principal objection lies in the limited power of the Court, in inflicting punishment upon those found guilty of criminal offences; It is argued that, for the crime of burglary, highway robbery, rape, and others, of that class, a simple committal, (to the Military Prison at this station) for a period of three months, is entirely insufficient both as a punishment to the criminal or as a protection to the Commonwealth; It is respectfully submitted, whether some steps might not be taken to ensure a thorough enforcement of the law, by the infliction of a more rigorous punishment in aggravated cases.)

I am very respectfully 
Your obt Servt
(Signed) Mont. S Reed 
1st Lieut. Asst. Supt.

Official Copy
O Brown
A.A.A.G.

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-10 14:36:57