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146

2a

From all my light on this subject, I firmly believe that Plaintiff was entitled to judgement in her favor. It would appear that Burwell, by not furnishing suitable quarters, as per the terms of the Contract he should have done, caused Plaintiff, through her being exposed to the inclemency of the weather while previously known to be already, constitutionally delicate - to fall so sick that she had to eventually  be removed by her husband, when she continued ill for some weeks after: and Burwell himself drove off the daughter he said because she staid out too late, after being allowed out on Sunday. The condition of the Quarters were frequently made the subject of complaint; but Defendant while making repeated promises, never did anything to improve their conditions, or furnish others. This case should have been attended to by the Bureau Court which was in existence when it rose, but it was neglected.

In view of all the facts, I advised Plaintiff to employ counsel, & demand an appeal. Pending this action, in going to my Office on the 4th Inst, the last Court day here, I overhead Burwell [[?]] [[?]] tones endeavoring to brow beat Plaintiff's Husband out of the idea of an appeal, arguing that it was an absurdity; that he had money enough himself to carry it to any extreme, while Plaintiff had not, and he would be sure to cost them, & they would have to pay the costs, &c., &c. As I passed them, he at once followed me, bringing the freedman with him into my Office, where he continued his harangue excitedly appealing to me as one in whom the Freedman would have confidence, to dissuade him from such a mad project. To this I merely replied, that if Plaintiff thought she could sustain her charge and if the consulting Counsel she is as advised to go on, they should be able to decide for themselves. He therefore left.      

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-04-30 10:42:35