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0384 4 All the Counties make ample provision for the support of the poor of both colors. Immediately after the Surrender the Whites who had orphan and other colored Children in their charge whose services they wished to secure had them bound, some by overseers of the poor, some by the Courts, and some by Bureau Agents. At the time these indentures and contracts were made the obligation to instruct to read and write under the Statute was not considered and now they deny the obligation and refuse to instruct unless compelled by law. The Courts are hedged about by Lawyers fees and costs as to render it beyond the means of the friends of the apprentice to prosecute the master for violating the law. In these cases the only remedy seems to be to give the Bureau Agent authority sufficient to bring the case before the Courts without the cost of the attorneys fees to the complainant. I am Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servant, Wm. P. Austin Capt. V.R.C.S.A.C.
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Reopened for Editing 2024-03-21 15:41:12