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be put down, right there on the spot, by calling out a posse comitatus, which could have been done. I also three times went among the negroes and endeavored to quiet them, by telling them "that fighting would do no good" "that the law would certainly punish Dudley & others for the assault they had made upon [[Glasgo?]], Jones & Palmer." I also advised the whites not to excite the already risen ire of the colored. I told the magistrates and all the civil authorities & citizens present, it was not my duty to quell the riot.  That I could not make arrests but it was the authorities' duty. I could do no more, as whites continually kept uttering inflammatory speeches and threats, that had a strong tendency to heap coals to the fire; and then Morgan, Dudley, Harding etc. were not dealt with, but were among the magistrates, and damning the negroes at the same time. This I can prove if necessary by several white and black witnesses. 
Very respectfully,
Your obedient Servant,
Henry K. W. Ayres,
Lieut V.R.C & Ass't Sup't &c 6th Dist Va.