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2V51

Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
Headquarters [[strike through]] Asst. Supt. 8th District Department of the Potomao [[/strike through]] Sub, Asst. Comr 8 Dist, Va,
Wytheville, Va., April 30th 1867.

Capt, G, Mallery
A,A,A, Genl,
Richmond Va,

Capt, I have the honor to report in compliance with Circular No 10, 1866, the result of the restoring to the State authorities Jurisdiction in criminal cases over colored persons, with reference to the interest of the latter, No complaints have been made of impartially or injustice in the trials where colored men were parties, Testimony is admitted in all the courts without distinction as to color, complaints are made from the counties of Lee & Scott, that men here had always been loyal and consistently union could not obtain Justice and fair trial in the civil courts in consequence of these courts being composed of men who were rebels, Detailed reports of them will be made as soon as they can be investigated,

Very Respectfully
Your obt, servt,
Wm. P. Austin
Capt, & Sub, Asst, Commr

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