The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-02-28
sEIBY COLUMBIA G.. SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2s 1875

BY J. "a. SELBY..i . col
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written contracts have been shown to
me by colored men who were parties
to them, who declare that the land
owners with whom they contracted
have driven them away from the land
go leased, under threat Of being killed
if they return. I have forwarded to
Your Excellency many dispositions
made before me by colored people,
who state that they have been fired at
and stopped on the public highways OF
said County by armed white m en-; also,
statements OF colored people, sepa-
rately examined by me, in relation to
the difficulties between the white and
eolored people at Ned Tenants
house in September last, and in rela.
tion to his alleged resistance to arrest
on the 18th or 19:h of January last,
with narrative of facts connected there.
with. 1 have not thought it wise or
proper for me to express any opinion
as to the correctness of these state
ments. It is alleged by white people,
that their dwellings and out-buildings
have been burned by negroes; but
some admit their belief that white men
are often the incendiaries, several of
whom are now in Jail awaiting trial
therefor. It is said that most OF the
white men whose buildings have been
burned, were those who had refused
to anite with others in the recent pro-
soription against the colored people.
From the statements made before
mo I can find no proof that the militia
have at any time been assembled in
Edgeield County with hostile intent,
except in September last, when Capt.
Andrew Burrough marched his COM
pany to support Ned Tennnnt, at his
home on Mr.. Mitchell Glover's planta-
tion, when it was reported that Ten
nant and many other colored people
had been killed by the rifle clubs there
assent bled. From all T could learn of
this, I am unable TO discover that Cap
tain Burrough did more than march
bis men to Tennant's house and imme-
diately return with them to the vioini-
ty Of Edgef1eld Court House, where
they at once dispersed, without having
fred gun or come into collision with
white people.
I am inclined to believe that the as
sembling Of colored people at Ten
nant's house In September last, was
oocasioned by the alarm and curiosity
felt by them on account OF the firing
into Tenants house by white men,
after he had retired with his family for
the night; and it seems that thio as
aembiage. with the exaggerated ru-
more circulated as to its size and pur-
pose, was che cause OF coDgregating
the rifle olah.. No one has denied 20
me their belief that this firing was per-
petrated by white men. and many
white citizens have charactized the act
az wanton and cowardly.
II gives me much pleasure to report
that the action of your excellenoy in
calling on the armed organizations OF
the County to disband, has met with
general approval, and that there sH4ms
no doubt that the letter and spirit OF
your recent proclamation will be
obeyed by all classes.
1 believe that the prescription of
the colored people will soon ceuse.
There are now no more laborers in
Edgcfeld County than will be needed
for the cultivation of the soil this year.
Many of the land owners are in debt,
being obliged to produce from their
land or be sold out. No one believes
that the oolored people who may be
forced to eave the country will be
compensated for by ths arrival Of
others. and hence the interests Of both
races will induce them to live together
10 harmony.
Captain Blackwell. who commanded
the Ozark Corner Rife Club" autho-
rized me to make public his statement
to mo that he was now willing TO rent
land to twenty colored mon, not ex-
cept;ng those who belonged to the
militia. Other prominent white men
have assured me that the proscrip-
ton against colored or militiamcn is
fast dying out, and that it will coon be
at an end.
1 do not think that the presence Of
United States infantry is necessary at
Edgetield Court House at this time.
II q mounted patrol could each day
pass through snch portions of the
County as are most disturbed by law
less men, 40 that all classes OF citizens
might feel some protection against
threat or attack on the public high
ways, their presence would do good;
bat even this may not be necessary.