Des Arc semi-weekly citizen., 1861-07-27
Letter from R. E. Dunlap.

A'AS5 o"iJ AO, loOl,
 DEAR MORRILL, :-I cannot complain or blame you for having published an account if the intended negro instruction in the yicibi. ty of Hickory Plain; though it was greatly to my injury, and by no means beneficial to Southern nterests-showing our weakness to our enemies. #M#f#
 Your friends and patrons presume desired it, without thinking of the private or general injury it might do.
 Being one of your patrons, and having right. life and liberty to protect; feel it my prisi. lege, if not my duty, to write to you, touching the subject, as am still pressed by the twenty four gentlemen, Gin part at least,) to move my negroes. When really they have placed it out of my power to do so, in consequence of the publication. Where they are, the circarnstan. ces, facts and example are known and felt hence, there they are not feared, but pitied. while in other localities would not be per- mitted to bring them.
 As to negro insurrections, from the beginning to the present time, no harm has ever been committed after the plot was discovered. That the negroes were not planners-that plans were not perfected--and that ammunition, guns, rifles, or other weapons were not found, the proof all show--but that they were the ignorant dupes of white council, is shown be. yoI d controversy. The proof in the casews or three kinds; lst, voluntary, 2d, under the lash, 3rd, leading questions. The first admis. sible; the second and third discarded by all Courts of Justice. gs ss
 The twenty-four gentlemen composing the Committee, ordinarily, are first rate clever gentlemen, and are certainly my friends, hav- ing never wronged man in that country, neither in person or property. But Ithink they are pursuing me with too much severity have permitted their undue excitement to get the better of their judgments.
 Great God why, anything further, after the scenes of the terrible Friday, when God in his wisdom seemed to frown upon the haste Such an example terrible in itself, is certainly sufficient for an age to come in that region. have no feelings of enmity, and desire none, but think it time to reason, having enough al ready to regret. I all such things cooler moments will discover things to deplore.
 All insurrections have been mixed with facts and falsehoods- and innocence.
 claim nothing, desire nothing, ask noth- ing, save the rights of an American citizen, who claims, while live, must be free man. When perish by abolition hordes, or other violence in the protection of my rights, will surely die with the consciousness of right on my side.
 War news favorable, particularly for your section. Some forming, some ordered, and II necessary, all will go from here. Calm the public mind and parerare them to hear of re- peated victories that will perch upon our ban ners, under the lead of such Generals as Me- Culloch and Hardee, with their inyincible officers and troops.
 The people of your State should occupy position free from alarm, so far as they are immediately concerned. As invasion under such circumstances seems impossible, should they attempt it, which think quite improSa- ble.
 Messrs. Thomas and Reinhardt, agents for your county, to buy arms, ammunition, &c'' were rendered every facility. Seeing the chlefs' hearing from all quarters, and finding it lm- possible to accomplish their mission, left means with me to do so, in the event an op- portunity presented. Ammunition in the war department here, cannot buy, as they sup pose. can buy unglazed powder, smutty ln- ferior looking, at S20 per keg, and shot at S3' Shall do it, just as soon as it lands, unless instructed differently.
 Respectfully, &c.,
 R. k. DUNLAP.