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the 21st to come to this City for that purpose, he refused his permission and threatened that if we attempted to go he would fine us.  We came and expect he will be as good as his word and fine us 5 Dollars each.  He further threatened that if we ever left the place hereafter to attend to politics or voting he would be prepared for us and would shoot the last one of us.  We came and was promised the protection of the Military Authorities is so doing, and we now appeal to them to protect us against this man Gilmor's tyranny.  We live twenty miles from this place in the interior and we would state that we are in many ways oppressed not being to exercise the rights of Freemen.  We would state one fact that the overseer carries a pistol to the field and although he has had no occasion to use it we do not like to think we have to be treated in so arbitrary a manner.  We would not dare to defend ourselves against any wrong he might impose on us as we know the character of our employer and would not dare oppose an armed man acting under orders from him.  

(sgd) Simon his x mark Hornford
(sgd) John his x mark Goren 
(signed) Berry his x mark Hall
(sgd) William his x mark Hale
(sgd) Simon his x mark Hurd