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Bureau of R.F. + A.L.
H& Qts. Asst. Supt. Sub.Dist. No.3.
7th District. Va.
Rocky Mount, Franklin Co., Va.
February 28th 1867.

Brvt. Brig. Genl. O. Brown.
A.A.A. General Bureau R.F. + A.L
Dept. of the Potomac.

General,
Pursuant to Par VI Circular No. 10, Series 1866, Hd Qts. Asst. Com. St. of Va., I have the honor to report after long continued, careful observation, and mature deliberation. First that the manner in which the several orders, by restorig to the State Authorities jurisdiction in all cases over colored persons, has resulted with respect to the interests of the latter, within my Sub District, is in my estimations, and to the best of my knowledge and belief __ most unfortunate; and it is further, my firm conviction, that they are not generally treated with impartiality and fairness; although the law respecting their testimony may in a
measure, be carried out; while it is questionable whether altogether in good faith, since all testimony is
to be received for what it is worth, and that of the 
Negroes is considered as being worth nothing particularly where a white person is concerned. There
can hardly a white man be found, who credits that a negro can understands the nature of an oath,
or where their own or their friends interests would be imperiled there by will tell the trust. The unprincipled tricks & mean subterfuges which are habitually resorted to by the Whites in a case at issue with a colored person __ tolerated, and winked at even, it would appear by