Viewing page 126 of 298

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

719

Sept 11th

Sir
Your communication of August 28th stating that the Freedmen of Liberty County had been for some time past, and still were committing depredations upon the property of the Citizens of your County by killing their Cattle, hogs &c, and requesting that the arms of these freed-people be taken away from them or such other remedy applied as would secure the Citizens in the quiet possession of their property, has been received. I appreciate your motive in making this request and should be glad to relieve your Citizens of the annoyances of which they complain if in my power, but the Constitution of the U.S. and of this State guarantee to these people the right to bear arms, and declare that they shall not be deprived of this priviledge. I cannot therefore permit any class of Citizens as such, to be disarmed. I would advise that your honorable court arrest parties who may be guilty of an improper use of weapons and have them examined. I can see no objection to disarming any person who shall have been guilty
AND

Transcription Notes:
errors not corrected.