Year: 1865

and with as much promptness as pOssi-


BILE, has determined to call in the aid of


his Alexandria Legislature to help him


over the difficulties which beset him


The members Of that body have been ar


irving in the city for some days past, and
| there have beeh sundry informal consul


tations between them and the Governor


as to what is best 10 be done when the


Legislature is in formal session. That
| Governor Pierpoint is actuated by the


best motives in the world nobody doubts,
and that he is anxious to harmonic. as
far as possible, the elements which COM
D ose his government, there Is not the
slightest question; but with all his good
ness of heart, correctness of purpose, and
amiability of disposition, / am inclined
to believe that the good man will have
disagreeable time of it with his extra
session of his extraordinary Legislature


1t is thought that the members of the
Alexandria Legislature will prove a lit
tie intractable to the conciliation policy
of Governor Pierpoiut, and will be trou-
blesome upon the question of modifying
the franchise as provided by the Alexan-
dria Convention. Aside from the fact
the members are in no slight degree taiut-
ed with local prejudices, as we'll as being
desirous of maintaining their power in
the State, in order to claim the credit of
its reconstruction there seems TO be
constitutional objection to a successful
carving out of Gov Pierpoint's views
for a more liberal franchise than was con
templated by the trainers of the Alexan-
dria constitution 1t is quite probable
that the meeting of the Legislature at
this time will be found premature, not
withstanding the judgment of Governor
Pierpoint in the matter, and that the ac-
ton of that body will be mischievous
rather than beneficial under existing cir
cumstances The people OF Virginia are
not yet prepared for the excitement which
must necessarily attend the meeting OF
the Legislature, and many intelligent
people believe that Governor Pierpoint's
zeal for the general good has run ont his
discretion in this matter So far as |
have been able to ascertain, the mass of
the people are better pleased to remain
for the present under the mixture of civ
il military government than trust them
selyes to the legislation of men who come
quite warm with their always, original
Union sentiments and prejudices sticking
out all over them. Still we must hope
for the best and trust that the benevo-
lent policy of Governor Pierpoint will
prevail in his Legislature.


In my letter of the 18th, / remarked
that to fully understand the state of
affairs here one must mix with the pee
pie. The earnestness of this suggestion
is very strongly illustrated in the recent
action Of some colored men in this city,
aided by some cOlored rhite men. Two
or three weeks ago the need of some mu-
nicipal exercise of authority was severe
ly felt here. The military authorities
confined themselves very strictly to the
management of military affairs after the
arrival of Governor Pierpoint and left left as
poor civilians to push along as best we
could. The result OF this course was that
rogues, having no fear of policemen.
court or prison before them, transformed
Richmond into q paradise for idlerS, row.
dies and thieves. Offences against per
SONS and property increased to an alarm.
ing extent, so much so that it became
and is still dangerous for person to be
in the streets after dark. Highway rob-
berries were committed in open daylight,
BURGERS abounded and garrotting be
came a pastime with the desperadoes
whom laxity of police regulations in
vited to exercise their nefarious callings.
To meet this state of things, by recon-
mendation from many of the best men in
the city, the Mayors court was re-estab-
lshed, and Mayor Mayo was called upon
to preside over it The jurisdiction of
this court only extended 70 petty cases,
such as assaults, larcenies, and the like.
The selection of Mayor Mayo for a posi-
ton in this tribunal was deemed expedi-
ent and appropriate and he gave salts
faction to all good men in the communi-
ty by the correctness and impartiality of
his decisions. But it was found that the
Mayors court could be made to work but
partially, as there was no place of con
tinement for criminals condemned by The
Mayor and so it was discontinued after
week or ten days of usefulness. OfcOurse
the selection of Mayor Mayo was dis
tasteful to the idle and dissolutr darklcs
who had had knowledge of the justice
administered to them aforetime by him,
and the colOred race construed his ap-
pointment into a griCrdnc TO them, albeit
all the white population thought other
wise. This was colored grievance mum
Der one Colored grievance number two
is of a more serious character, however
as will be shown. After the evacuation
of Richmond all the roads leading to
the osfy presented the appearance of
a pilgrimage to Mecca Negroes of all
ages, colors and sexes crowded the way,
and hurried forward TO be- greeted
as "a man and a brother" by the
Union forces The consequence was
that within a very few days the
farms and plantations were depopulated
and the streets Overrun by n class most
likely to get into mischief and make
trouble for the authorities The crops
were neglected, and while te govern
ment was trying to ameliorate hc condi-
tion of the people who could not help
themselves, the officers found an addI-
tional race upon them from those who
had left good homes and could maintain
themselves if they only had the will
The streets of Richmond literally .warm-
ed with idle negroes. who spent their
time in chaYiDg ratiOns from the govern
ment, sleeping on the sidewalks, or roam
ing about in the day time and appropri-
ating TO their own use everything which
came handy, either by day or night
This evil became a serious one aud re
quired prompt attention from the author
itles, TO have the negro understand fully
what his transition state from servi-
tudc TO perfect freedom, meant The
authorities determined TO have him work
if possible. and with that view provided
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