Viewing page 155 of 204

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

306

(Sg'd) H.S. Merrell
Lieut & Supt

Bureau RF & AL
Richmond Va Mar 19"/66

Respty returned to Maj Genl Howard Com'r &c inviting attention to the enclosed opinion of the court and the Asst Com'r.

(Sg'd) O. Brown
Col & Asst Comr
See. Genl. H. L.B. No 57
Official
James A Bates
Act Asst Adjt Genl
√

[[left margin]] War Dept Bureau &c [[/left margin]] L.R.B. 183. Recd Back Mar 17/66 with statements of Henry Shackleford Mrs L.B. Sinclair and Lt. W.S. Chase V.R.C. &c [[left margin]] S.S. Bradford [[/left margin]] relative ot the case. enclosed.
[[left margin]] W.S. Chase Lt & Asst Supt [[/left margin]] Bureau RF & AL
Head Qrs Asst Com St Va
Richmond Mar 19/66
Respty returned to Maj Genl O.O. Howard Com'r &c [[left margin]] Henry Shackleford [[/left margin]] The Asst Comr thinks that the statements of Lt Chase in this matter with the two corroboratory [[left margin]] Mrs L.B. Sinclair [[/left margin]] statements - he presents from Mrs Sinclair and Mr Shackleford show that his letter to the German Relief association was dictated by a good motive, and that he had reason from the assertion of the emigrants, and the facts now detailed, by him, to make the representation he did. whether, or not, he may have been mistaken.

(Sgd) O. Brown
Col & Asst Com
Official
James A. Bates
Act Asst Adjt Genl
The first endorsement was not recorded in this Book

not entered
[[left margin]] T.F.P. Crandon Capt AQM &c [[/left margin]] Endorsement on letter of Col O Brown to Asst Supt Hanover Co ordering the evidence in the case of several Freedmen to Wm Wynne and the [[left margin]] Wm Wynne. [[/left margin]] judgement of the court be forwarded. &c &c 
(over)

307

Bureau RF & AL
Sub Dist Hanover
Hanover C.H. Mar 12"/66
Respty returned thro the Hd Qrs 4" Dist to Col. O. Brown Asst Comr of Va.  There was no evidence taken in this case.  I brought it before the Freed'n Court for trial and where called up the defendant Wynne moved that it be dismissed on the ground that it had been tried in September last and a judgement given in his favor by Capt Stevens. my predecessor.  The plaintiff on being asked if such was the fact, stated that it was but that he was not satisfied with the decision of Capt Stevens, 
I stated to the court that in my opinion Capt Stevens had no right to try or decide this case. that it was his duty to submit it to the Freedmans Court for arbitration, and that if Asst Superintendents can decide such case it was unnecessary to establish Freedmens Courts.  The Court decided that Capt Stevens had authority to try this case which authority is conferred by the following paragraph of Circular 11 dated War Dept Bureau RF & AL Washington D.C. July 12"/65 entitled "Instructions to Asst Commissioners & others," Par—— "In order to enforce the fulfillment of contracts on both contracting parties the commissioner of the Bureau lays down no general rule. The Asst Com'rs must use the privileges of authority he already has. Provost Courts, Military Commissions, local courts, (when the freedmen & refugees have equal rights with other people)— are open to his use.   In the great majority of cases his own arbitrament, or that of his agent, or the settlement by referees will be sufficient." 
The court therefore held that Capt Stevens as agent of the Bureau for this county had the right to try & dispose of this case, they therefore dismissed it.  This is all the information I can give.  I have no means of knowing on what evidence Capt Stevens based his decision.  On my arrival here I found no records or papers of any description.  I believe there was no freedmens court established in this county at the time this case was tried by Capt Stevens.
(Sgd) Ed Murphy
Lt & Asst Supt (over) 

Transcription Notes:
just can't make out name at bottom of right page.