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1339

in a case reported by Capt. Brooks in his January report there is evidence of the readiness of the civil authorities to override the rights of freedman as citizens.

It is impossible to say how much of the impartial justice rendered freedmen and reported by agents of the Bureau is due to the presence of such officers at court, watching all proceedings, and, to the knowledge of the magistrates, under orders to report the character of their proceedings. 

The spirit of the Southerners towards colored people is therefore best evinced in their more informal and [[?]] relations and actions, and, so far as these have come under my observation, I must say that with the exception of an intelligent fair minded few, the rights and interests of freedmen cannot safely be committed to the guardianship of their white neighbors

I am General With Much Respect
Your Obt Servt
S C Armstrong Supt 5th Dist Va

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-04-29 11:08:30