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Vicksburg August 3rd 1865

To His Excelency [[Excellency]]
Andrew Johnson
President of the United States

Sir

At this time - at this place, there are wrongs perpetrated of which it is believed you are ignorant and ougt [[ought]] to be informed, it is at variance with your policy, your proclamation, and your believed views of justice, that acts such as are here perpetrated should be permitted

The Military Officials and Freemans Bureau have in their possession and continue to hold nearly half of the property of this place. Our citizens have returned, have taken your amnesty oath, have in all things complied with the laws and constitution, and are still with-held their property upon pretenses the most frivolous and sometimes contradictory. Without property or other means persons who have always been Union men, are left to meander about the streets like paupers and vagabonds, men respectable for their patriotism and character it is naturally asked - what was the meaning of your amnesty proclamation? was it made in good faith? does it not give us our civil and political rights? These questions are asked. I am happy to inform you that the answer generally is that the President is ignorant of the condition of things here existing