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17

Endorsement on Comr. to Mr L.A. Ragsdale in reference to the Case of Geo. Washington vs. L.A. Ragsdale 

Bureau Refugees Freedmen and A Lands
Office Sub. Asst. Comr. Sub. Disct of Meridian
Meridian Miss September 10 1867

The Sub. Asst. Comr to whom this case has been referred for investigation announces after a careful consideration of the circumstances attending the loss of certain described property by the freedman Geo Washington and after examining the law and applying its Provisions to the evidence of the accompanying affidavits he is of opinion that said Freedman is in a strictly legal sense wholly accountable for loss of said property and that the action of Mr. Ragsdale or his representations in making indemnification to the owner thereof and by agreement witholding the sum thus paid from the wages of the freedman is a lawful transaction from which the freedman can obtain no relief.

But the Sub. Assist Comr. while entertaining this view must also deprecate the lack of business precaution shown by Mr Ragsdale in failing to observe or introduce such regulations as would serve to protict his employees from incurring such distressing and damaging losses. If like the proprietors of other well regulated Public Houses Mr. R. had had in operation a system of checks or other means for the ready identification of Property this accident which entails inconvenience delay and expense upon his guest and a large and irretrievable loss upon his employees would have been entirely avoided  Even a more intelligent person than (freedman) George without  some such protective legislation would have been liable to commit a mistake of identity and deliver property to an improper claimant and the Sub. Comr leaves it to Mr. Ragsdale over person of justice to decide if in this view of case he should not repay (Freedman) George a portion of the money witheld

If he should decide adversely to this proposition and maintain that ample justice has already been done said freedman then the Sub. Asst Comr can alone appeal to Mr Ragsdale or all known generosity to reward
the freedman whose generosity and [[?]] 
in promptly satisfying the Guest who endured the loss has so largely contributed to the reputation of Mr. Ragsdale hotel

(Signed) Thos H. Norton
Bvt Maj USA
Sub Asst. Comr

18

Endorsement on Comm from Miss E. McMasters Kemper
Co. Miss by Sub Asst Comr.

Transferred to Fo 16. E. & M. Hd Qrs Post Meridian Entered in Error

Bureau Refugees Freedman and A Lands
Office Sub Asst. Comr Sub Disct. Meridian
Meridian  Miss September. 12. 1867

Respectfully returned to Miss E. McMasters with the information that the civil authorities of Kemper. Co have been notified that they must not interfere in her case until the Military Authorities shall have relinquished jurisdiction therein and she is directed to report any infringement of this order when the necessary protection will be afforded her.
 
(signed) Thomas H. Norton
Bvt Maj USA
Sub. Asst. Comr

Endorsement on Comm to Asst. Comr B.R.F and AL for Miss in reference to the appropriation of 1000 dollars for the building of a School House in this Sub Disct

Bureau Refugees Freedmen and A Lands
Head Qrs Sub Disct Meridian
Meridian Miss. Sept. 11th 1867

Respectfully referred to the Asst. Com. State of Miss with the information that repeated efforts on the part of cold citizens to raise the sum of $200 as suggested within have proved a failure  They are too poor to subscribe in money but have succeeded in obtaining from a prominent citizen Mr. L.A Ragsdale the donation of a lot, value $300 whereon to erect this building & they now ask that this may be accepted in lieu of the $200 cash and that this appropriation made by order of the Comr he expended as designed. The Sub. Asst. Comr himself recommends this course and give assurance that at least one half of the sum required shall be subscribed in aid of the project and added to public donation

(Signed) Thos H. Norton
Bvt. Maj USA
Sub. Asst Comr

Transcription Notes:
MSFT COPILOT Summary: first paragraph on page 17 -- The statement discusses the case of a freedman named Geo Washington who lost certain property. The Sub. Asst. Comr, after careful consideration, believes that Geo Washington is legally responsible for the loss. Additionally, Mr. Ragsdale's action of withholding payment from the freedman's wages as indemnification is considered lawful¹. Source: Conversation with Copilot, 7/12/2024 (1) The Founding Fathers of our limited government - Pacific Legal Foundation. https://pacificlegal.org/the-founding-fathers-of-our-limited-government-george-washington-and-the-importance-of-property-rights/. (2) Washington Supreme Court Undoes 29 Years of Property Rights Protections. https://www.goldwaterinstitute.org/washington-supreme-court-undoes-29-years-of-property-rights-protections/. (3) The Freedmen’s Bureau and Black Codes | United States History I. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-ushistory1/chapter/the-freedmens-bureau-and-the-black-codes/. ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-07-11 18:16:53 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-07-11 19:27:10 preprinted not used for this project, do not mark as complete if more than one [[?]] ---------------- "Preprinted" notation removed again. Per TC instructions, it is not used for FB transcriptions Started to edit this. Still alot of editing left to do.