Viewing page 31 of 258

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

OFFICE SUB-ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
Bureau Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
Savannah, Ga. December 7th 1865

Genl

I have the honor to state, that the man Bradley, named in your telegram of yesterday is now in arrest here, he turns out to be a colored man from Boston (a lawyer I understand) and I think a dangerous person here at this time.

The tone and spirit of his addresses is to encourage theft and insubordination among the freedmen. He told them in substance, that many of the negroes were complained of for dishonesty and stealing. But, he exclaims! Who does the property of this country belong to if not to negroes! They have earned it all! And why should they not have it, He said the rebel states were in the condition of territories, and the negroes had an unquestioned right to squat upon it, and that they need not obey any orders to disturb them in such possession unless it came direct from Congress, but that the freedmen should maintain this position until driven off by the bayonet. This and other insendiary  and bad teachings were attributed to him and he does not deny the substance of these charges. He commenced to open a school which I have suspended. I hold him in arrest for your instructions.

I am Very respectfully your obt Servt 
H.F. Sickles
Col & ASA Com'r

Brig Genl D Tillson
A Asst. Comr Bureau