Viewing page 230 of 255

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

undoubtedly some difference in the constitution of the several juries, for of two negroes tried for stealing bacon at the last circuit court the less guilty one was sentenced to three years imprisonment and the more guilty to but two years. Judge Sheffey, who was on the bench, delivered a charge to the Grand Jury, at the opening of the term, which, in it's kind and considerate tone in regard to the Freedpeople was deserving of much praise. He asked the jury to be mindful of their ignorance and the new and peculiar phase of life in which circumstances had recently placed them; to consider the temptations by which they were beset, their poverty, and the manners in which they had been raised as slaves. He appealed to the the Christian charity of those he addressed, and to the better feelings of their hearts — and I believe he appealed honestly and in good faith. But the very fact of his making this appeal indicated that his opinion that there was hatred and prejudice rankling in the bosoms of some of his hearers — and this is my opinion also with regard to the whole 
Sub-District, but then I believe that most of those persons are the very ignorant and malignant who are a minority in the County.

The case of Wm Tate, the Freedman shot last February by McKendry was postponed until next court on account of the alleged absence of an important witness in the defense. As stated in a previous Report I believe McKendry guilty of a wilful and unprovoked attempt to kill — and have little doubt but that he could be convicted if able

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-04-30 12:48:48 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-04-30 13:32:06 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-05-01 10:59:42