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Office of Jacobs Williams Wood & Co.
Natchez. Miss. January. 31. 1868. 

Hon Charles Sumner.

My Dear Senator,
By the interference of certain Grand Rascals, who are seeking to make political capital out of our people,
this purchase of the A.K. Farrar Farm, may be retarded.

As a Board of Colored people we do most heartily and and sincerely thank both you, and Gen Howard, for the little encouragement you give us to hope that we shall not be left in the hands of any man, nor any set of men, who call us "Apes", and "Baboons." And say that the study of the black man, should be denominated "Apology". No sir. We sincerely, and earnestly hope that we may have a fair and honest trial, to test our capacity for doing business, for ourselves, in the state of Mississippi. 

We were truly glad when we saw that Gen Howard had got our idea of retaining these Bounties in the hands of the "Treasury Department" and have the Bounties due, settled up as fast as posible. Then Gen. Howard will send a Special Agent, with the money to Natchez, and he will assist you in completing the Bargain, "to ready the letter."

And you never will know the full extent of Joy, that that letter inspired us with, when read to the people. This letter is dated Jan 21. 1868. And to show how very uncertain and short lived are all merely earthly joys. Behold! The very next day comes a letter, Gloomy in its style, but only the precurser of one still more gloomy, dated Jan 24, 1868. Which dashes all our hopes of ever getting Homes, forever to the ground. 

O Sir, Is it so that mens hearts can be so unfeeling 
?
Do, O do, we beseach you, do not desert us thus. 

Please tell Gen Howard to fall back on his plan of Jan 21, which please see, and ask for Pity's sake for high Heavens sake, and for the sake suffering 

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---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-09-13 11:43:08