The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-12

Fearful State of Affairs in the First
South Carolina District.
A FEDERAL TAX COLLECTOR MURDERED.
United States Officials Compelled to Suspend
the Collection Of Taxes.
WASHINGTON, May IL, 1871.

WASHINGTON, May IL, 1871.
Collector Donaldson OF the First South Carolina
revenue district, has written a long letter TO Com
missioner Pleasonton upon the condition or society
In his district, which ne describes sucn that I'M
less the governments interferes It's representatives
viii be driven to abandon their work on
leave their homes for better protection OF
life and property. The Collector says thas
for year past he has been frequently
warned OF danger to himself anu family. HI states
that throughout his district there exists well or
ganized society," whose object Is 10 control social ana
political action. and Is composed OF soldiers ana
friends the late coniederacy that in every county
OF the district they are destroying representative
men, friends az the government, white and cClofed.
He states that IN Chesterfield county on the 18th
ult. Robert Melton called from his bed Mt mid
night and shot down; his vile was fouy murdered
an his daughter was badly wounded. Melton waa
lax collector in the employ er Mr.. Donaldson. and
hi offence the latter states, WAS loyalty
Nj. Donaldson continues, stating That In Lanc0s-
ter county a man was taken from his bed and
hanged, also another man in Williamsburg
county and the Commissioner OF Clarendon county.
All these ouirages committed, states the writer,
within a few DAYS and in no Instance has any erors
been made to bring the guilty parties TO justice. He
says Governor Scott 10 unable 70 deal with the pres
ent state OF ahars. and that unless the general gov
eroment intervenes 1t will continue. He thinks the
matter personally concerned him % o United States
officer as every person holding such an Office IN that
section OF the country Is object OF hatred. Per
sons have written TO him threatening letters On
TIE date Of his letter to the Commissioners he
ceyed q letter By mail postmarked Ch-raw, wherein
he was ordered TO leave the country III fteen days.
Special deputy Joseph GALLAGHER WHO Is u demo-
crat and one III The urSt families, has been annoyed
ana threatened so that he refuses To continue the
collection of taxes IN kcrshaw and Lancaster cOun
ties. AnoGher deputy, Mr. Frank Goss, WAC has
been In oflce lWo years In those counties, has also
taxes under warrant for like reasons. assistant
letCer, ordering him to leave. and Nj. Donaldson
states that they must be protected by the President
or cease Work. nj. Donaldson asserts that the
STATE Of South Carolina ID powcslss5 10 protect the
loyal cClens, aaa IN view OF these facts, Mr.. DON
aldSoI asks that application be made to the Pres-
the-ves OF the revenue officers and the government
property.
Tho Winnsboro Netcs, under the mead OF "Ku
EiuX,n says:-Ihis Dand OF III, sterlous lcrsonagea
passed. through our town on last Saturday Might
alOGt twelve O'Clock. We IRE informed by those
who saw them that they well mounted; not o
word could be heard from any OF Them every move
Llent was MADE In silence. They were YariOusly
estimated at from eighty 70 $50.
On entering our ONCE Sunday morning., we found
lish:-
GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 105.
X. X. X. HEADQuAETLIB ffTH DIVISION
PArAGRAPHl ]. ". y. Peake q. w. Barber, John Mellow
ell, Alfred Moore, s. NJ Smart James Cook, Milton DUNLAP
Henry snith you aud scvcraly ordered
sign forthwith the .inces hold.
O. The Sheriff Treasurer and Auditor we trust; yet they
must beware respect all good they act
good faith This The first notice shall be obcyed and
must be published BY order of q, u. g., Commanding
l.. A. a.