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Not long since a religious meeting of colored persons, was disturbed by some parties throwing rocks through the windows. In the case first mentioned, an appeal was made to the civil authorities, but the accused was released on a quibble, that they could not be identified. It appeared evident from the action taken, that neither magistrate, nor constable did his duty in this case, some if usually so disposed. I was informed by the Provost Marshal, who has a small guard stationed at Sandy Hook, on the Md. side of the Potomac, that several of his men had been fired upon from the Virginia side, by men secreted in the rocks, Negroes also reported being fired at from the same place. There is a large colored population at Harpers Ferry, more numerous than the whites, and the necessity of having some officer stationed there, not only to protect them from such abuse as I have mentioned , but to provide the idle with industry and prevent suffering among the destitute - is very great. A large number of those there, are now employed by the Quartermaster and Commissary.