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L.B.G. 56.

Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
Office Superintendent 1st District of Virginia.
Norfolk, Va., February 28th 1867.

Brvt Brig Genl Orlando Brown.
A.A.A.G. Bureau R.F. and A.L.
Richmond Va

General:-
In compliance with Circular No 10 Series 1866, I have the honor to report the result of the transfer of the jurisdiction of criminal cases to the civil authorities in the county of Norfolk and cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth Va. There is a seeming fairness and impartiality in these cases in which colored men were interested parties, but in cases where whites were the accused and none but Blacks were witnesses, justice is doubtful. Where a white men[?] is to be convicted only upon the testimony of colored men the Magistrates are not to be relied upon as is shown by the case of the Magistrates of the City of Norfolk in which they refused the testimony of colored witnesses in a case of the Commonwealth vs William R Hammond. A report of the case taken from the "Norfolk Republican" is herewith appended. However fair these Officers may appear in their dealings and decisions with colored men, it is 

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