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BUREAU OF REFUGEES FREEDMEN AND ABANDONED LANDS
Head Quarters Assistant Sub-Assistant Commissioner, 
Franklin County, Virginia, 
Rocky-Mount, September 25th, 1867. 

TO THE FREEDMEN OF FRANKLIN COUNTY. 

The election for delegates to the State Convention, for the purpose of establishing a constitution and civil government for the State of Virginia, loyal to the Union, will be held on Tuesday, the 22nd day of October next. The Counties of Patrick and Franklin, constituting an Election District, shall, together, elect two Delegates. The polls will be opened at 7 o'clock in the morning, and will be kept open until sunset of the same day. The place of registration in each Magisterial District of the County, will be the place of voting for that District; and persons will be entitled to vote only where they were registered. The voting shall be by ballot (ticket), and all in favor of having the Convention meet must see that "For a Convention" be printed or written upon the ballots for delegates. Before the election the Boards of Registration for this County will all sit in the Court House, at Rocky-Mount, from 8 o'clock in the morning, until 5 o'clock in the evening, from Tuesday, the 8th to Saturday, the 12th day of October next, for the purpose of registering all who, being entitled, may have previously failed, and may now desire to register; and to otherwise finally revised the published lists. 
It is desired that at the coming election all persons qualified to, shall vote. You now possess the right, and you should undoubtedly, without fail, every one honestly and fearlessly exercise it. No person can possibly deprive you of this privilege, nor has any one the right to dictate you how you should employ it, All attempts at intimidation, and whatever other means that may be employed to influence you contrary to your own free inclination, should be totally disregarded and promptly reported; for, bear in mind, you shall be fully protected in the complete exercise of your just rights. 
By a law of the State it is made an offense punishable by fine and imprisonment for any person to either sell or give away liquors of any kind on the day of an election. By all means see that you refrain from drinking on that day; and, under all circumstances, be far too honorable to be induced to dispose of your vote for any consideration. Remember that men in liquor, not knowing what they are about can be easily led to do everything that they might regret in vain for a lifetime afterwards. Recollect, that should any one be found drunk, or if they create or take part in any disturbance whatever, they may not only lose their vote, but are sure to be arrested and punished. Consider, your integrity and your reputation are here at stake; and as no one but an enemy, bent of effecting you mischief, and accomplishing some other evil end of his own, will ever descend so low as to tempt you to your injury you should report any and all who may make any such attempt, to the nearest State, or United States Official, any one of whom, under such circumstances, is in duty bound to take the offender into custody, and see him properly dealt with according to law. 
As to voting--it is due to your own interest to do so. It is your duty to vote, and that properly. You should vote for none but good and true Union men; the very best you can find; men of honesty of purpose, possessed of intelligence and sound judgement, and all others, and for the good of the Country at large. By your votes you can help to place in power such men as will, by adopting a proper basis of law, insure your interests and your rights equally with those of all other classes of persons: and thus it is that it forms among yourselves, but also with that portion of the Whites, who, advocating the same principles as you do, will extend to you the cordial hand of friendship. Union, harmony of action and the kindest of feeling should prevail here, and it is indisputably to your welfare to faithfully apply yourselves to the cultivation of all these. Recollect there are but two delegates to be elected by Franklin and Patrick together. You must, therefore, concentrate, and not scatter your votes, or you will lose the election. 
Lastly, bear well in mind, you cannot get your candidates from abroad; you must find them here; and the quicker they are not brought out, and you unite on them, the better. 
This is the counsel which my duty, as your advisor, requires me to give you. 

Truly Your Friend, 
WILLIAM F. DE KNIGHT,
1st Lieutenant V. R. C., Assistant Sub-Assistant Commissioner, B. R. F. & A. L., 
Franklin County, Virginia

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