Viewing page 205 of 339

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Executive office
Jackson Miss. Sept. 18th 1865

Col. Samuel Thomas

Sir:

Mr. Brooke this morning delivered me a message from you in regard to the Freedmen and this management, which induces me to address this communication, with a view to obtain a more explicit Statement of your Proposition.
I have no hesitation in Stating to you that as necessary result from the action of the Convention that, in my opinion, the Freedmen can now Sue and be Sued in any court in this State, an as an incident to this right to protection of person and property which are fully guaranteed by the amended constitution, that they are competent to testify in any court of justice. Their rights I think are fully covered by the principle established by the convention which abolishes the whole System of Slavery, and as a matter of courses any measure of policy which grew out of that System. I Should be glad to hear your proposition