Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1866-01-04
The Freedmen.

bearing OH one lccaiiLy, Is VI d
character to suggest the propriety
of publishing it, as the response
covers wide latitude, being gene
raj in its application. We omit
the name of the local agent who
addresses General Fisk:
Brig. Gen. C. B. Fisk-Dear
Sir: As / have seen no law upon
which | can rely, to guide me in
certain cases, you will excuse me
for asking you the following ques-
tons.
First. When a white man is
justly owing a freedman for work
and labor done, and | give judg-
ment against him for the same and
he refuses to pay, what shall be
my course to enforce the same?
Secondly. Where white man
is fined by me for cruelty beating a
freedman, and he refuses to pay
said fine, what shall be my course
to enforce the same?
Thirdly. Where a person is ow-
ing a freedman for work and labor
done, and l order him to appear
before me and he refuses to obey
the summons, what shall be my
course?
Fourthly. When negroes are
coming in possession of arms,
what shall be my course?
Filthy. Are there any cases in
which you would suffer freedman
whipped2
Sixthly. What shall l do with
negroes who are rowing about the
country, corrupting other negroes.
and cannot be controlled? We
have few such among US. Your
early attention to the above inter
rogations is respectfully requested
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONERS Or
FICE, NASHVILLE, Tenn, December
Ii, 1S65.-Sir: l have the honor te
acknowledge the receipt of your
favor Of the 18th, and to reply as
follows:
Question: What shall be my
course to enforce a debt?
Answer: You will, after giving
reasonable time, seize and sell the
debtors property.
@. When white man is fined
for beating a freedman and he re-
fuse to pay the fine how shall
enforce the payment?
A. Hold him In arrest until he
pays it; and if he still refuses put
him in Jail.
@. When l order a white man
to appear to answer a claim fol
debt due freedman and he refu
ses to appear, what am | to do?
A. You will arrest him and fine
him for contempt.
q. What about carrying fire
arms?
A. Treat every man alike You
cannot disarm the negroes wher
white men of every class are al
lowed to carry arms.
Q. What about whipping as 6
punishment for crime?
A. No? Let the lash be laio
aside forever. All civilized ma
tons have discarded it. It's use
would disgrace the American
name. Should any one attempt
to use it on any of his laborers in
your county you will punish it Sc
verely.
@. What shall do with rowing
and yagrant negroes?
A. Treat them just as the law
treats white Migrants. Let freed.
men know that you are the friend
and protector of the industrious,
but the enemy and puLisher Of the
dishonest and vagrant.
You may ask: How am l to oh.
tain officers to enforce my orders
Select civil officers in the country
if you can find such as will enforce
your processes; if not, appoint
officers from among civilians. If
you cannot find such apply for
military aid. You are in the ser
vice of the United States, aud its
whole pNTer is pledged to sustain
you in the discharge of your du-
ty.-I am, Sir, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brv't Maj. Gen. and Asst Com.
for Kentucky and Tennessee.