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than any other under my observation in this section, and yet there they have met with the greatest of opposition. Three of their churches and schoolhouses have been burned by the whites since July last, and with the last occurrence of the kind (which took place on the night of Oct. 30th) they have had to bear the additional grievance of having their instructor badly beaten, his life threatened and he driven from the county by a mob in the night. Such shameful and disgraceful proceedings are winked at by the people, overlooked by those whose province it is to uphold the majesty of the law and protect the citizen in his rights of person and property, and, to the white mans shame and the colored mans glory be it said, borne by them with such christian resignation and exalted manhood as can but bring down upon them the benignant protection of an overrulling Providence.

Of this last outrage a report is being prepared, gathered from evidence taken upon the spot, and will be forwarded in a few days.

Teachers are needed in three districts of my division, as schoolhouses are being prepared and schools awaiting their completion and the arrival of the teachers.

Fewer occurrences for the interference of the Bureau Officers in the collection of claims for colored men occur now than formerly, but I apprehend that with the season of labor closing with the closing of the Bureau there will be as great a demand for his interference and assistance as ever, and it will be unfortunate for them that such is the case. To the officers of the Bureau the colored man is led to look for justice because they are the representatives of the national government, and of the officers of the Bureau the white men have more dread than they have of a sheriff or the decree of a court.

I am General
Very Respectfully
Your Obedt Servt
P.H. McLaughlin
A.S.A.C. B.R.F. & A.L.

Transcription Notes:
province: an area of special knowledge, interest or responsibility benignant: kindly and benevolent