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Busby - by communication of date May 24th inst a copy of which please find enclosed - to forward a full report of the same.

In the District where Freedmen have been arrested for crimes committed every opportunity was afforded them for a fair hearing - and in no case has undue punishment been imposed upon them.

My impressions are however that in the event that the protection now afforded should be withdrawn - a portion of the Blacks (more especially those who left during the War and have since returned, a large portion of them being of this class.) would suffer severe punishments at the hands of the Civil Authorities for trifling offenses and that whites will scarcely be held for trial for crimes committed against the Blacks except in exceedingly aggravated cases.

Very Respectfully
Your obt servt
James Johnson
Major V.R.C. Supt 

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