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there was driven from the County. Mr Leopard of Spring Hill is to make the cold people a speech on the 20th many of them (the F M) are [[strikethrough]] were [[/strikethrough]] afraid to go as their lives were threatened by their masters in case they went. It would be worse than folly for me to undertake to enforce the laws without a sufficient number of Bayonets to over-awe the people for it is their boast that "they aint whipped & never can be". Still if you see fit I will take the few men I have & will try to undertake to bring out order from this treasonable confusion. Although I know that when my duty clashes with the interests of their leaders there will be blood spilled as they will hire up assassins to kill me.  The people of Freestone & Limestone are lambs in comparison to them. Yet last night I found that the teacher of the White School here in Cotton Gin had got up an exhibition in which the little children were made to express his treasonable veiws. I sent for him & told him there was no compromise between duty & personal feelings that he had taken the Oath of Allegiance & I should oblige him to abide by it.  I talked to the people & many of them regretted that the teacher had pursued the course he did. The subscription papers in this County among the F.M. for building schools are being rapidly filled & I will be able

Transcription Notes:
changed "reasonable views" to "treasonable views" - huge difference!