Viewing page 152 of 309

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

T63
(Copy)

Austin Texas March 1. 1867

His Excellency J W Throckmorton
Executive Office
Austin, Texas

Governor,

By request, I have the honor to state the facts in regard to the shooting of two freedmen in our County reported to Hd. Qurs. by Capt Porter in the month of December last.

The manner in which Capt Porter made his report has left the impression that these freedmen were shot without provocation, and that the parties who did the shooting were unmolested by the Civil authorities.

To remove this false impression, I shall give the facts as adduced in the trial of these parties.

In the case against Boyce the evidence was substantially as follows: Edwin Parson (freedman) lived the past year on the plantation of Mr Boyce tilling a portion of his farm.  On the morning of the 15th of December last Mr Boyce passed by the cabin where Edwin Parsons and other freedmen lived and he, Boyce, asked Elisha Norwood (freedman) if they were not going to perform a certain piece of work. Elisha said they were not.  Boyce then remarked to Elisha that Edwin promised to do it.  Edwin Parsons was in the cabin but remarked that he did not promise to do it.  Boyce said "you did Edwin for I heard you promise" whereupon Edwin said Boyce told a false