Viewing page 168 of 234

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

15

at last the case probably taken up in absence of Colored plaintiff and dismissed at his cost. Freedmen are too poor to employ able counsel, and without this their cause is almost hopeless. 

In criminal cases the merest circumstantial evidence is sufficient to convict. Where freedmen make complaints of assault, in a majority of cases the Grand Jury refuses to find a True Bill. In one case where a colored man had been badly beaten and driven into the river - from which he was rescued with great difficulty - a verdict was rendered imposing $23 fine - In another case where a colored man had been beaten with a club in such a manner as to lay him up for several weeks, a fine of one cent was imposed -. Constables have in several instances levied for debt, against colored persons - on the necessaries of life, even such articles as were exempt from seizure by State Law. In the early part of this year, some fifteen freedmen were imprisioned on frivolous charges and kept in jail over three months without trial -. Mr. Geo W. Graham - the agent in charge - finding it was apparent they would be held until next quarterly Court, wrote the Commonwealth attorney requesting they be tried or admitted to bail; and finding that the matter would not be permitted to rest, they were all released excepting two, against whom more serious charges were preferred. Colored people - aware of these facts - never apply to the Civil Courts until so directed by the Bureau Officer.

Register of Marriages
No Register of Marriages under Act of February 27th 1866, has been made in Mecklenburg, but freedmen are universally informed of its provisions. There is - however - great laxity of morals among them, and the sacred obligations of the marriage tie are very lightly regarded, while the civil authorities do nothing to prevent or abate lewdness

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-12-10 11:04:26