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to full information in regard to public affairs, I spoke to them at some length, analized the Sherman Bill, and to the best of my ability explained "the Situation"- The major part of them working for a share of the crops made, I advised them to stay at home and work their crops, until such time as the U.S. Authorities should authorize the Registration of voters. When all citizens allowed to do so by law, should go forward, and then secure the privilege of suffrage and meantime impressed on them the importance of educating themselves for an intelligent exercise of Citizenship. The meeting adjourned, resolved apparently to act on my suggestions
Shortly thereafter however, a man of low character named King, who conducts a school for Freedmen, called another meeting, and instructed the freedmen to attend armed with firearms. Runners were sent out into the surrounding country to enforce their attendance under the penalty of fines and forfeitures. It is unquestionably true that many of them believed that failure to attend would be visited by a fine of $30 or a remission to a state of Slavery.

Under these circumstances they assembled in large numbers, most of them armed. and Mr King spoke to these for several hours, mingling political and socials heresies, with personal abuse of a rival teacher who is a Freedman  of excellent character and intelligence. I heard a portion of his speech- from what I heard and from reports made to me by reputable men- it was calculated, if not designed, to create and foster hostilities between the White and Colored races; indeed I would not err in characterizing it as Incendiary. About a week later another meeting was called