Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-03-30
NEGROES on THE PENINSULA.

We learn from the Baltimore papers
that the energetic efforts of Calvin Pep
! per, Esq, a lawyer of Norfolk, aud his
! coadiutors in the lately agitated scheme
! entitled The Land and Homestead Set
| Elements, " intended for operation among
the negroes residing on the Peninsula,
received its QuietUs this morning from
Maj.-Gen. Miles, commanding the post,
in an order arresting Mr. Pepper and
holding him il durance, preparatory to
forwarding him to the headquarters OF
the department at Richmond for the in
vestigation Of his plans and purposes.
Since the late meeting in Hampton,
Mr.. Pepper, with other originatOrs Of the
scheme, encouraged by the almost total
abandonment OF the Florida emigration
movement, have been assiduously en-
gagged in holding frequent meetings and
scattering n%ourishing prospectuses among
the cOlOred residents of Hampton and
the surrounding country. BY such
means quite a diversion has been created
in favoro Of the project, and sums varying
from fifty cents to one hundred dollars,
the former amount greatly preponder-
ating have already been subscribed, and
the Interest OF lhe freedmen raised TO
such a degree, thar all ideas OF an emf
grafton to Florida, or another State, have
completely passed away from their
minds. These sums of money thus col
lected, as asserted by Mr.. Pepper, are at
once deposited in the National Freed
mems Savings Bank al norfolk, and
are eventually destined for invest
ments in tracts of land on the
Peninsula, or in other portions of
the State, on which extensive set
Elements are 10 be made, aud hCmesteads
for the destitute, as we'll as the weil-to-do
freedmen, erected, and all the other con-
veniences Of modern civilization secured,
without the necessity Of an emigration 10
Florida. The extensive proportions
which these designs were gradually as
Stunning, apd apparently without the sup
port and cooperation of those most inter-
ested in the welfare of the freedmen,
induced Gen. Miles IN in-titntA q saar"h-
ing investigation as to the modes of
operation, and 10 suggest more stringent
Regulations u the ~p1OGeelinrs. which had
the appearance OF only an enormous
swlndIe. In accordance with this de-
sign, Mr.. Pepper WAS waited upon in
Hampton, q few days ago, by Lieut.. Fes-
sender of the Fifth United States artil-
leryi who handed him the following
document, which explains Itself.
HEADQUARTERS Nh. DIST, or VIRGINIA.
FORT MONROE, Marea u, 1866.
Sir: The Major-General commandino
directs me 10 say, as You are now collect
ing funds from the freedmen of this dis
triet, and giving receipts without names
or dates, documents totally ILLEGAL. and
as you are under no bonds or OBLIGATIONS
whatever, you are hereby directed to
cease transactions and refund the money !,
so collected. This order will not, how
ever, prevent your assisting the freed 4
men IN forming an organization for the
purchase OF lands, with proper RESPONSE |
Die officers.
lam sir, etc, etc, JOHN McEwFN.
and Aid-de-Uamp andActing Assistant |
Adjutaut g neral.
Mr.. Pepper having read the Generals
letter, atonce announced to the officer his |
determination to resist the execution of
lis terms, and his intention 10 retain the
guardianship Of It's funds until otherwise
by the freedmen themselves. !
who We're unanimously in favor of his
colonization plans.
Gen. Miles was shortly made ac-
quainted with the result of the interview.
and teiegaphed TO Maj.-Gen. Terry, az
Richmond, for further instructions. The
Instructions were received this morning. !
and Mr.. Pepper was immediately arrest
ed. The whole affair has naturally ere
ated considerable excitement and inter
est among the negroes, and various nett
ions 10 Congress and Gen. Terry are al
ready under way 70 secure the imme-
iiate release Of Mr.. Pepper, and his res
toration to their midst once more.
Il is due to justice 70 state that Mr..
Pepper and his associate have extern
,iveiy advertised the prospectus OF their
association In the columns of the True
Southeraer, a paper published at Nor
iolk, Va. in the interest of the freedmen
IF this section, Before the publication
" the prospectus Ia question, Mr., Pep
asserts that it was carefully exam-
ned by Gov. Andrews, of Msssaehu-
ietts Cen. Howard, Of Washington, d.
D., and Col o. brown, Assistant Com
missioner of the freedmenis Bureau,
ind secured their unqualified approval,
ind, since its circulation, has received
Important support from bankers in Nor
ok, and financiers in other States, i