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Most reliable physicians and the other twenty five names were obtained from the records of the Metropolitan police.

There appears to be a desire on the part of all parties to keep the fact that we have had cholera here from obtaining publicity in the newspapers and I cannot myself see what object Surg. Swartzelder could have had in publishing my dispatch as its publication would have a tendency to injure the trade of the city without accomplishing any good. 

I am General
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Fred S. Palmer
Lt. Col & Sub Asst. Comm

[[left margin]]L.S. 264 Off Secy in chf [[/left margin]]


Buletin July 4
A RUMOR WITHOUT FOUNDATION. - The following extraordinary telegraph dispatch, in reference to cholera in Memphis, appeared in the Louisville Courier a couple of days ago:
MEMPHIS, June 27, 1767.
To Major General W.P. Carlin, Assistant Commissioner:
About seventy (70) persons have died of the cholera since June 18th - seven (7) deaths reported yesterday.
(Signed) FRED S. PALMER,
Lt. Col. and Sub. Asst. Com:

Where Lieut. Col Palmers received his information in regard to the great number of deaths reported is a mystery, as no one but himself appears to have heard anything about such a great fatality from cholera.  The physicians of the city know nothing about it.  A few deaths have occurred from cholera morbus, and it may be that there may have been one two deaths from cholera among the colored population, but anything like the regular epidemic which Lieut. Col. Palmer reports is unheard of in the city.  Memphis was never in a more healthy condition that at the present time, and we can assure strangers at a distance that on visiting the city they will never hear the word "cholera" mentioned, as there are really no deaths occurring from that dread disease at present.

Appeal July 4
THE CHOLERA IN MEMPHIS - From a telegram sent by some officer of the freedmen's bureau in this city to Louisville, we learn with much astonishment that the disease is very prevalent in Memphis.  On inquiring yesterday, it was ascertained that the informant of the aforesaid officer was the sanitary sergeant, who reported forty, and a self-styled negro doctor named Toles, who gave the balance.  What the object of sending such news abroad was we know not, but our information in the premises leads us to believe it to be untrue.  To say the least of it, it look malicious. 

Appeal July 7
THE THREE BLACK CROWS DISTANCED
We have not the felicity of the acquaintance of Fred S. Palmers, lieutenant colonel and sub-assistant commissioner of the freedmen's bureau at this point, but are satisfied he either possesses a vivid imagination, or has been frightened out of his wits by rumor-mongers.  Upon no other hypothesis can we account for the following non-sensical dispatch, which is published under a blazing title in the Nashville Banner of a recent date: 
MEMPHIS JUNE 27,1867
To Maj. Gen. W.P. Carlin, Asst. Com:
About seventy (70) persons have died of the cholera since June 18th - seven (7) deaths reported yesterday.
(Signed)  FRED S. PALMERS
Lieut. Col. and Sub Asst. Com.
This lays the stories of the three black crows, Baron Munchasen, and Gulliver's Travels in Lilliput completely in the shade.  It removes the dilapidated linen from all the shrubbery in this region.

Transcription Notes:
REVIEWED and should me marked "Complete and Pending Approval" 6-3-21 Note: the first article has a typo in the date... 1767 instead of 1867. Transcribed as printed.