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A.Q.M. Office
Raleigh N.C.  Jan. 21 1866

Col.

I have the honor to report to you that on the morning of the 16th inst. just before commencing my sale at Fayetteville N.C. Bvt. Maj. Lawrence on duty at that place as Agent in the Freedmens Bureau came up to me in the presence of a large crowd and in severe terms denounced the orders from the War Department in reference to the collection of Govt. stock as being a downright swindle upon the citizens of North Carolina, stating at the same time that when they borrowed and picked up the Govt. stock it was in low condition and worth comparatively nothing, and after they have worked it all Summer and recruited it now to take it from them and sell without paying them anything for keeping it is a swindle upon the part of the Government.  I would therefore ask if such assertions are not Disloyal or to say the least of it unbecoming an Officer and a "Gentleman".  I find that it is going to interfere very materially with the collection of my stock in that locality.
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