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408

July 28th

Sirs
Your Petition representing a Society comprised of freed people known as "Equal Rights Society" as being detrimental to the best interests of the free labor system throughout this State, which was referred to this office by Genl C.C. Strong ASA Com'r, has been received. The Asst Com'r directs me to say that freed people have the same undoubted right with white persons to organize & carry on any Society or Societies of any character whatsoever so long as such organization does not conflict with the existing laws of the State of which they are citizens. Your petition fails to show in what particular manner the Society is detrimental to the best interests of free labor. The petition even admits that nothing is known of the proceedings of the meetings except that they are recently held upon Sunday, when a flag is [[risen?]] &c. No interference will be had or permitted by the Bureau in this matter unless it can be shown by the most positive & undeniable evidence, that this Society is an unlawful assembly for unlawful purposes and in doing