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Records of the Assistant
Commissioner for the State of Georgia
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, 1865 - 1869
National Archives Publication M798 Roll 36
"Unbound Miscellaneous Papers"
State of Georgia vs. Thad,
a slave the property of William A. Collins
Letter from William Collins
Office Agent Freedmen's Bureau
Augusta, Ga. March 24, 1866
Captain,
I have the honor to present for your consideration the
enclosed letter.
Doc. Collins, the writer of the enclosed letter, was the
owner of the man now on trial. Doc. Collins is in (illegible) honorable gentleman, owned a
large number of slaves in the day of slavery, and was noted for his uniform
kindness toward his slaves; every word he says and particularly what he has in this letter
written, you may fully rely on. I have known the Doc. for 30 years, I have yet to hear the
first charge against him in any way. I write you this that you may know the character of
the person writing, with the hope that it will have the influence the opinion of a good
citizen is entitled to.
I am Respectfully
Your Obd. Ser.
Jacob R. Davis
Agt. F. Bureau
Captain G. R. Campbell
A. S. A. Cmd.
March 20th, '66
Jacob R. Davis, Esqr.
Dear Sir,
a boy that formerly belonged to me is jailed in your city
charged with rape on the person of Miss Brown. The case was removed form our Court to the
Military Tribunal of your city about two weeks ago.
I never doubted the boys innocence and the evidence will
clearly in my opinion prove an alibi on his part.
Miss Brown charged 1st that the offence was
committed between 9 & 10 O'clock Sunday morning 21st June 1863. In
her evidence on the commitment she said between 9 & 11 O'clock, in either case the
evidence will not sustain her as it is proof that the boy was at home some 5 miles from
where the offence was said to have been committed until after 10 O'clock.
It is in proof too that Mr. Brown the father of the
prosecutrix was hunting dogs to run the offender at 9 O'clock passed Mr. Tankersley and
Mr. Garrett's about a quarter after and about ½ after 9 to 10 O'clock was at Mr.
Fuller's.
You will see all the testimony at Capt. Campbell's office.
The evidence of Miss Brown I thought very unsatisfactory.
There was no evidence used, no clothing torn, a little pain and soreness,
no blood. I know but little of the Brown family and that is unfavorable.
Will you see the authorities and urge on them a speedy
trial as the boy has already suffered a good deal.
I have now you know no interest in the case farther than
the promotion of justice and will kindly remember and duly appreciate any thing you may
do.
Yours Respectfully,
W. A. Collins
Raysville
Columbia Cty.
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