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124 220 Hd. qrs. B R F &c State of Texas Galveston July 23. 1867 Abert Lt. Col A.A.A.G. Dist of Texas. 219/241 Colonel. I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of Reports of J L Randall S.a.c. dated starting July 15 1867. and Oscar T. Hunsaker, agent of this Bureau dated at same place July 16. 1867. Measures have been taken to arrest as many of the murderers now at large in Robertson County as possible and to hold them in jail. subject to orders from Dist Head quarters. It is utterly impossible to stem the tide of murder & disorder in this State without a wholesale removal of the Judicial and Ministerial officers of the several Districts and countries.- The Bureau agents do not meet with aid in arresting criminals in the counties in the State over one hundred freedmen have been killed since January 1. 1867.- In the majority of cases not even a warrant was issued for the arrest of the murderers until the Justices were forced to do so by the Bureau, in 9 cases out of 10 is the criminal allowed to escape— If caught the [[strikethrough]] prisoner [[/strikethrough]] murderer is bailed by partial and popularity loving judges and if brought to trial is so feebly prosecuted by a careless or corrupt States Attorney that a jury already inclined to favor the murderer either let him off Scott free or if the case is so plain and glaring that they must find something they give a verdict of Manslaughter. Should they be thus secure a complaisant Jailor is generally found to facilitate the murderer's escape.- In but two cases (tried at Austin by Judge Haley) have juries found white men guilty of murder for the killing of freedmen in both cases was the Sentence suspended by the Judge and the prisoners escaped from Jail— Every general Statement in the foregoing paragraph can be fully substantiated from the files not only of this but also those of Dist Hd. Qrs. The very highest duty a government owes its subject is physical protection— The U.S. government is not and can not give it in Texas as with civil officers constantly endeavoring to thwart the ends of Justice. I am Colonel Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt (Sgd) J.T. Kirkman 1st Lt 26. U.S. Inf A.A.A.G. 221 Hd qrs BRF&AL State of Texas Galveston July 23. 1867 Garretson Lt Chas. A.A.Q.M. & D.O. 147/315. Lieutenant, It being impracticable at present to obtain [[strikethrough]] for [[/strikethrough]] Detailed men for printers. you will temporarily hire two men to take charge of the Bureau press and do the work required.- By order Bt. M. Gen. Griffin Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt (Sgd) J.T. Kirkman 1st Lt 26. U.S.A. A.A.A.G. 222 Hd qrs B.R.F.7.A.L. State of Texas Galveston July 23. 1867 Randall J.L. S.A.C. Sterling. Robertson Co Texas, (Via Millican] 218/265 Telegram Hunt down and take the murders dead or alive. Hold them in Jail when taken. (Sgd) Chas Griffin Bvt. Maj. Gen. U.S.A. Asst Comr. 223 Hd qrs BRF&AL State of Texas Galveston July 23rd 1867 Miller Capt Ed. S.a.c. Millican, Texas 51./ Telegram Take telegram to Randall from Office and send it to him at once (Sgd) Chas Griffin Bvt Maj Gen U.S.A. &c.
