Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-12-27
Freedman's Bureau--Read and Re.
fleet

The following correspondence, while written in
reference to q certain locality in Middle Tennessee
is of character to suggest an important lesson to
every county in East Tennessee. Should the Legis-
lature fail to pass the Negro Testimony Bill we shall
have Freedman's Court in every county, Congress,
under the amended Constitution, governing these
courts with appropriate legislation" And should
the bill not pass it will be for the want of East
Tennessee votes. We shall dread to see the negro
eo51ts ia all cur counties, hauling up whites, male
and Female, aad trying them upon negro testimony
and by military officers instead of their own usti-
ees aBa judges. We have selected the Negro TsSti-
s9oay BIZ as the lesser evil Bat, our people can
have it as they please. Let the Freedman's Courts
be once 'esssblished-ss they certainly will be-aad
they will saoa realize the wisdom of eur choice:
Brig. Gen. C. B. Fisk-Deag Sir: As have seen
no law upon which can rely, to guide NE in ees-
tain eases, you will excuse me fer asking you the
following questions:
! 1st When a white man Is Justly owing freed.
man for work and labor done, aad give judgment
against him for the same and he refuses to Psy,
what shall be nay course to enforce the same
( Cd. Where a white man is fined by me for cruelty
beating freedman and he refuses to pay said fine
what shall be nay course to enforce the same?
Z q
and labor done, and order him to appear before
me and he refuses TO obey the summons, what shall
/ be my course?
4th When negroes are coming in possession o.
arms, what shall be my course
9Th. Are there any cases in which you would suf
fer freedman whipped7
J 9th. What shall do with negroes who are rov.
ing about over the country eorruptng other negroes
and cannot be controlled? We have q few such
among US. Your early attention TO the above inter
rogatiOns Is respectfully requested.
/ ASSISTANT COMMISSIONERS OFFICE, Nashville
Tenn, December Is, Is65.-SiF: have the honor
to acknowledge the receipt Of your favor of the
/ 18th, and to reply as follows:
Queston.-What shall be my cUurso to enforce 8
Judgment for debit
Answer-You will after giving reasonable time
seize and sell the debtors property.
@. When a white man is fined for beating q freed
man and he refuses to pay the fine, how shall en-
force payment
A Hold him in arrest until he pays it; and if h
still refuses put him in jail.
Q. When l order white man to appear to an
sver claim for debt due a freedman and he refuse
to appear, what am 1 to do
A You will arrest and fine him for COntem p
Q. What about carrying fire arms
A. Treat every one alike. You cannot disarn
the negroes when white men of every class are a.
lowed to carry arms.
Q. What about whipping as a punishment 10
crime!
A No Let the lash be laid aside forever. A
civilized nations have discarded it. Its use woul
disgrace the American name Should any one al
tempt to use it on any of his aborers in your cour
ty you will punish it severely.
O.. What shall do with rowing and vagrant ne
groes?
A. Treat them just as the law treats white vs.
grants Let freedmen know that you are the frien
and protector of the industrious, but the enemy an
Ounisher of the dishonest and Vagrant.
You may ask: How am l to obtain officers to er
force my orders? Select civil officers in the count
if you can find such as will enforce your processes
If not, appoint officers from among civilians.
you can not find such apply for military aid 70
are in the service of the United States, and its who
power is pledged to sustain you in the discharge
: your duty l am, Sir, very respectfully, your OBJ
dent servant, CLINTON b. FISK,
Brv't Maj Gen. and Asst Com. for Kentucb
, and Tennessee.