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Commonwealth's atty, from whites. Since criminal cases were turned over to the Civil authorities, there have been but two freedmen arraigned for crime, who were not bailed before their trial came on. Negroes are taken for bondsmen, without hesitation. The Commonwealth's atty advises bailing whenever possible for two reasons - viz: to save expense to the State, and to save the criminal (alleged) confinement.
The Sheriff, his deputy and the Commissioner of the Revenue, are men who will do justice to the negro, without regard to feelings or prejudice. I have had them make complaints to me in behalf of negroes, against white men. The same will hold good of some of the magistrates. On matters of debt I have not had any case yet, which the magistrates, or constables refused to take notice of, or with whose decision I had reason to find fault. At present & for some time to come litigation will be very limited between employees and employer. But few cases of beating and abuse have been reported this month. Three of the four cases, the Freedmen never returned to me as directed, to inform me when or where the magistrate was going to investigate. The 4th of the warrant was 

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-04-25 09:44:39 As per Freedmen's Bureau transcription instructions, underline, & hyphens for words that carry over to next line etc.. are not to be indicated - tags & hyphens have been removed