Simon Culver writing to Freedmen's Bureau Wager Swayne trying to get his wife and children released from indenture

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Lawrenceville Ala Feb 6th 1867

Genl Swayne

Dear Sir
I wish to trouble you with a few words of Counsel Last year my Children was taken by there former owner in my absence from there Mother and bound out my wife they also keep & refuse to let her come to me now if we are actually free wy let us enjoy Freedom if it is only a Show & we are not free why keep us in suspence & I appeal to you have you a Wife & Children if so you know how to appreciate affection of family I love my Wife & Children as well as if they were white I am not allowed to visit them only at the pint of my life there is no use in telling me to apply to the Civil Authority I have already done that & was told that they could do nothing for me my wife is to treated as she was 10 years ago half Clad half fed & no wages My children are to day in rags bare foot & not a shoe

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This is no fiction but facts my wife and children came to see me last Sunday & they were followed and driven back to there miserable homes I live in two miles of this place am at work with a man who is willing to do any thing for me he can I am able and willing to work for my wife & children but am not allowed to do so now what I want is this if it is your duty to see the - Freedmen righted in this state give me my family or cause it to be done if it is not your duty & you can do nothing for me wy I will then have to appeal to some one else I will wait a reasonable time to here from you & if I dont will then appeal to Head Quarters but hope to here from you soon & that I will get my family
Yours
Simon Culver
Freedman