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Matagorda 16 July 1866

To the Freedmans Beaureau
Galveston Texas

On the fourth of July we had a meeting at this place on the part of the Coloured population only for the purpose of presenting a US flag to the Beaureau here = the officer at this place, lent his side arms to the parties to use in the procession - (out side arms only) - As the proceeding of presenting any thing on the part of the freedmen was exceedingly distasteful to our secession friends here, I watched the result = The sheriff here arrested a few of the coloured men, as they were leaving the procession on their way home, under the act against carrying concealed weapons. The negroes had no concealed weapons only small dress swords and red sash &c. The Mayor however let them go. 

[[strikethrough]]Every[[/strikethrough]] The day otherwise passed off quietly  The flag was raised and the flag and staff was unmolested untill the night of the 14th. On that night the halyards were cut. On the freedmens agent threatening, that if the staff was not righted he would send for troops - the citizens agreed to and have ree=set the halyards and the flag again flies. I myself notified the negroes to give no help to the secessionists in the matter of resetting the flag stall, to let those who took it down be at the expense and labour of putting it up, and they did so. 

The feeling here is not improving towards the US government. I hear that to the Westward, at Victoria and Gonzales that the US authorities have in both places met with resistance, at Victoria I understand that the [[strikethrough]]provo[[/strikethrough]] Beaureau attempted to put down some riotous proceedings on a race ground, and as people say here the US authorities were put down themselves. I do not know how much truth is in all this, but this I do know, that there is exultation amongst the rebels in the matter. From what I know of the people and I do