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To give you an idea of the kind of the public speakers (conservative) I will quote an extract from the speech of Thomas Jones (Co Attorney for Richmond Co) delivered at the Court house last Monday. In the course of his remarks alluding to the present state of affairs the course adopted by the Government he said "If we were not the best people upon the face of God's Earth we would hang such men as Gospel and every other officer that came here on such business as he." A union man came to my off & told me of this where Mr Busby H were sitting. Of course such remarks were harmless
I take them as a compliment that I have done my simple duty without showing partiality to either class & if one does that the disloyal men are dissatisfied. William Walker one of the leading members of the ban in this Circuit another of the speakers last Monday said "No nigger who votes for this constitution shall live upon my land nor any white man either. We will never employ them both political parties denied land for their graves. The Yankee officers may report what I say. They may report me if they will to may. Gen. Howard who is the dirtiest dog of the whole dirty lot" This man Walker is a minister of the Gospel [[?]] preaches from the pulpit and practices at the bar.
I cannot think but that the influences which these men pick to exert are as disloyal as their sentiments of 1861.  I believe, Colonel, that a firm intelligent course of action will enable the Union men to carry both Counties.
The opposition is particularly great here