New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-06-17
Address Of pcicyaics TO the Presiacut-
statement Of Wrongs and Oppression.
A Il e1I,lp held al 4hl

Az q meeting Oh coioIeu peopic utiu NJ 'h'
house of Peter Matthews. ut Richmond, on june 9,
for the purpose OF taking soe action IN relation to the
prosecutions of the colored people by the military and
police authorities Fields Cook was appointed Char
man. After free discussion it resolved 10 ap
point Fields Cook Pet,r voolfolk, Nelson Hamilton
and alter Snead Il committee hear and investigate
all complaints that light be brought before them The
committee were in session for days and received
GREAT variety of complaints among which were those
given below
The committee having made their report 10 nd
,ourned meeting, a committee was appointed 10 lay
their grievances before the President of the United
States ana present the following address;
Mr. PRESIDENT: We have been appointed commit.
Tee By public meeting Of the coored people OF Ken
mond. Va. 10 make known TO your Excelency aS our
bes, friend the wrongs az we conceive them 10 De- ~
which We are sorely oppressed -,
We represent populat OF more than 90 COO coored
people, Including Richmond and aianchos'er VINO nusc
over beer distinguished for their good Der tVor as
slaves and frccmen well a. for tier lhgh more!
and Christian character more than wv Oh our pVpe
are members .n good standing 81 Ch3h.ah 'huTches'
and nearly ou, whole population constantly attend di'
vine service Among us there are ~ least 2WO men
WHO worth from $500 500; 200 who have PfoltIy
valued at from 81 90 10 5000 and number VINO are
worth from s. 90 10 goo OO. None Of our people are
in the alms.bouse and when we were slaves ihe a6ed
and intrm who we've turned away Iivi. ino NOM %
hard mssters who had been enrlchtd by tbeir to ou
benevolent societies supported WINE they Veo anu
buried wien they died and comparatively rev VI "
have found it necessary ask for Government Ia'ons
which have been bountiiuy bestowed upon the I'M
Yepentert Rebels Of Richmond ,.
The law @. Slavery severy punished those who taught
M 10 read and rite but, Notwithstanding this Jvv
Of US ca read and at least 1000 can READ ana Wre,
and a large number OF US are engaged III useui anu
O,oftabe emItoyrneut our Onil oCcourt.
Dnring the whole Of the Shareholders Rebellion we
have been true and loyal 10 the United States Govern
ment privately and collectively we nave sct ~ 9 9se
Union cause We have given aid and comfort to the
soliers Of Freedom Gor which several OF our people,
Of both sexes have been severely punsDed ny rtipc
and i,nprsonment) We lave been their pilois and
fleir scouts and have safely conducted tLcn tnrouSn
MANY perilous adventures. while haidfoneht Dhiues
and bloody he:ds have mn! W. ~ ony
bravery, the loyalty ana tie ueIoi' Pa''''''" y" '
We rsoiccd with exceeding great Joy at the fall Of
PichInoDd and the terHnation OF the war. "hicH We
eupposcd broke the last :etcr OF the American sa'
When the triumphant Union army chlc,eu tne VIZ VI
Richmond we alone gave il cordial welcome iecelV
a., Z, With hearts hurstuc with 10y and thanksgiving
and when our late beloved and msitlrea Tresilsn.
made his ertrt into our city we alone hu'u nis az w
with enthusiastic cheers OF acclans,ion ana o. a tne
.;,zens OF RicLnopd we alone. with few solitary ex
septions wear the exterior badges OF mouIni9s se
truthful expressions Of our grief for ms nn'e o"a
and IL is therefore with sorrowiDg hearts tnns VIC az
compelled thus to scquant your Encelency vita ouI sa
disanpoiltment for present coaditlon IT, III
regpacts worse than when We were snres and ii'iIe
nndey slave law Under the old ysicin, We had the
trotsctioa Of masters, who were hnaBciay ihoI'
ssted physical welfare. That pfoteclion -
ies who seek not Only 10 Cypress people, but u
sbwsr, the designs Of the Federal Government and o.
tansvo,snt NortLern associations in Or behalf We
cennot sppesl TO the laws Of vrgnia for protection
Sr The oH negro laws still prevail and besides. The
oath ~ coIored an against white man will not be
Saysd In anv of our State Courts: 80 that we hare
nowhere to go for protection and justice but TO that
rower which made us free. We wOud iesPoctinly Cat
a,,en,ion az your Ercellency to the condition. o.
~, church Affairs by tie isws Of Virginia, ooloret
churches were compelled 10 accept Of white preachers
wbo Of course were incorporating friends OF south
wiz - us,i,n,ions and again, church property
which We have paid for out OF tho scanty esrnisg'
wears OF toll according 10 law. must pe aeedeu U
yrI,. ,,ns.as. Nov in the reconstruction oil on
cburcb matters. we wish TO employ ciergymen OF GU
own choice and faith. and hold our own property
The obnoxious Clergy We may graaany 49, -. :"
INT how 70 get possession OF church properly pssso
In The city Of Richmond, the military and police au
Sisht ~ tbe regular pursuit of our business ~ On "