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Lieut Ayers not being at Home, I assured them that there was no occasion for alarm as I was sure that such practices were not sanctioned, or allowed by the Department; or its agents. Upon investigating the matter it appeared that Lieut Ayer had invited them to meet for the purpose of forming a Union Republican Club and some of them had taken Guns with them as they said for their protection as they were in about the same fear of the Whites, as the Whites were of the Blacks. I suggested to them the propriety of putting their arms away and that I would assist them in forming their Club which they readily did; and expressed their gratitude for the services I rendered them, and for the council and advice I gave them.

The feeling between the White & Colored in these counties are not of the most friendly nature. There is a sort of jealousy between