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is for Twenty years. Really the employer has broken the Contract in action towards the Freedman as if he had none of the rights of a White Citizen and has relieved the Freedman form the burden of the Contract thereby.
The effect of breaking a Contract is not to make a Criminal Act but is wholly under the Supervision of the Civil law as Contract distinguishes from the Criminal Statutes If a Colored Citizen leaves his employer with whom he has entered into a Contract for the year without just cause he is Subject only to the same penalties as White Citizens
I am
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
(Signed) A.W. Preston
Capt. & A.D.C.

I am Very Respectfully
Your Most Obt Servt
Jno. J. Knox
Bvt Maj & Sub Comr
District of Meridian

Bu R.F. and A.Lands
Office Sub Comr Meridian June 9th 1866

Newell Mr. W.
Lauderdale Co.

Sir:

I am directed by Maj. Knox to inform you that if Denis a Freedman has hired a Boy by the name of Pat N; you or one who she claims as her Son that she be allowed to take him away and return him to the person with whom she had hired him to from the Character of Denis and the age of the Boy the

Custody or claim of Denis is not considered returned he is subject to the Control of the Bearer who is his Mother.

Very Respecfully
Your Obt Servt
Jas. W. Sunderland
Capt & Asst Sub Comr
District of Meridian

Office Sub Commr
Dis of Meridian
Meridian Miss June 11th 1866

Strintoro Jno
Justice of the Peace

Dear Sir

The bearer states that one Bill McDaniel took his Gun away from him and his now returned it to him. The Boy wishes to see him for the recovery of either the Gun or its equivalent in money please take notice of the case and much obliged.

Your Most Obt Sevt
Jno. J. Knox
Maj and Sub Commsnr
Dis of Meridian

Bur. R.F. and A.L.
Office Sub Commr Meridian Miss June 11th 1866

Myrehoff Chars. F.
Mayor of the City of Enterprise
Enterprise Miss

Dear Sir

Your note of the 8th Inst enclosing a slip from a Memphis Paper at hand and in reply thereto would say that I have issued no such order as published or referred to in said Paper. My instruction in regard to the "Vagrant Act" read as follows: "If this law is informally executed upon to both whites and blacks there can be no