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Bureau R.F. & A. Lands
Hd Qrs. 6th Div 2nd Sub Dist
Lunenburg C.H, Va
Sept 30th 1868

Genl. O Brown
Asst. Comr,

General
In compliance with Cir No 10 series of 1866 I have the honor to report the Administration of 
Civil Justice as follows.

The testimony of colored witnesses is taken the same as of Whites. In the trials of cases in which colored persons are interested parties there is no partiality or unfairness to be observed in the rules or practices, but there is such deep and universal prejudice that it is plain to every careful observer that the colored man cannot get justice except in rare cases.

The following cases have been tried by the county court during this month viz-

Commonwealth }
vs }
Jos. Blackwell (Col) }
Charges: Breaking & Entering and Larceny

The evidence shows that he was seen near the Store a few minutes after the time of breaking and tracked from the store to his house

Found guilty and sentenced to five years in the Penitentiary. Exceptions taken and [[bell filled?]] for decision of Judge of Circuit Court. Execution of sentence stayed until such decision could be had

The evidence in this case connecting Blackwell with the commission of the crime was very

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-05-14 19:42:57