Year: 1866




70 converse with them as TO the general state
Of feeling between the whites and blacks IN this
community, aud SAID that he was with them IN
an official capacity, with General Fullerton as a
Commissioner, sent by President johnson 10
inquire into the affairs OF the Freedmen's Bu-
reau in the South, and to obtain information as
to the benefit derived from the Bureau by the
Z people. He said chat he could not talk to all
Of them, but they would appoint a delegation,
that he would talk with them in behalf of the
people.


Accordingly, the following gentlemen we're
chosen said delegation, viz. .:-Wlllam Keeling,
j. 7. Wilson j. G. Selden, A. A. Portlock, N.
Barbour, and James Bryant.


Mr., keihng-I hope the Freedmen's Bureau will
notb abolished untillaw and order restored here
and to tue who country; were the Government 10
itmove It now, while we are not recognized as men
~ the W1tes OF the South, IL would be leaving us
and the white Union men at the mercy of the ieno.
rant and sill rampant Rebes and enemies of the
government claim tbat It rs unsafe to abolish the
Bureau until the Government dec that are
men and we have the enjoyment OF all rIgu uts as
american ireemen 1t Is unsafe TO remove the mill
ttry forces until we are put equality with all
OF er citizens. / hope the Bureau wln be allowed
70 man until the laws OF the State are mo-
dlded and remodeled that we can have
just &c before the civil courtsso that we can choose
our ruers-so that we can have say as to whO,shall
Municipal Goyornments. The people OF the Sou h
must be taught that are men like unto them.
seves, and that we must be respected as such Ihe
people OF the sou must be educated and Instructed
Is to the nta principles of our Government.
We Will assist TO pay for their education. We have
EXTENDED TO them the right hand OF friendship and
they have spurned 1t with scorn and contempt. We
are quiet ana orderly, and are awabIding citizens
Out we wleh to be consulted as to the making OF the
laws that govern us. We directly interested IN
gu things the same as the white man. We treat
the whites as we would have them treat us. We
resLect them, and they must learn to do like
wise. We do not molest the whites, but they are
con 2 lpteriering t % with u.s. In many cases
laDors until forced TO do so by he law, and If the
whites alone have voice IN making the laws, they
VIII not provide Tor us In those laws Much pre-.
JudIce still exists againt us bv the whites, but tCe
do not feel any animoslty against them. We are
willing to cast of the past and unite TO barmonIze
for L tnture, but they refuse to come up to the
standard OF right and justice. If the Bureau
must be removed, let us have good mill
as 1t stands, must be supported protec ed
and asslsl ed by the military TO have peace we
must have a republican form of government; then
five have good officers we will have justice before
the civil courts OF the state.


1t is very doubtful that white jury can be found
mere that Will do us justice. hope and prav that
the Bureau may remain and be strengthened, and
that peace may ! g soon restored.


= T Wilson-I see no provision made by the
Legislature OF Virginia by which the DlacKs with
whites. The whites fear the military and,
! believe, Judging the future by the past,
forced 10 do so bv the military. Give the bac man
vote in the Government, and we are all safe.
Make him responsible citzen-l mean give hum
the use Of the ballot. the exercise this right


e man, the exercise of the rights as his fore
fathers had Iu the formation OF The Government
When We vote, we will then, and not until then
feel safe then we will fee that we have come to the
age Of maturity, and that we are longer incapable
of protecting ourselves


General steadman-l am not posted as to the laws
OF Virginia. Are the whites more hostile to the
blacks than they were some time previous?


Mr.. Wllson-lhey seem to get worse every day
especially since the passage OF the Civil Rights bill


General Steadman-Are there any local causes tor


Mr.. Wison-I think the cause is the existence of
TOughs' in the community.


General Steadman-Were you ever q slave?


Mr.. WLson-No s'rj was born free


slaveg


Mr. Keilng-I was, and bought myself for $3.50
paid my hire OF $40 per year; allow me to say just
here that the old white resident LAWYERS will not now
act as our counsel before the cyl Courts, they tell
that we must now get the Yankee lawyers to act
for us They say that the Yankees have freed us
and that we must now look to them to plead for us
Mr.. Keeling here cited one OF two instances to
A. A Portlock-I have been in the United States
Navy and was hOnOrab discharged after the war;
i woIld Ike to cite you case where a Rebel is ry-
ing to my motherln-Iaw of piece Oi property;
IL is ali she owns; the case was brought up before
the Virginia Civil Court, Mr.. Pepper being COUNSEL;
it has Deen postponed, and expect the civil auho
rites are waiting SO tnat the Bureau may be
abolished and the military withd avn, then they
will disposses this poor woman o. ali she has.


General Steadman-I cannot act as a lawyer, or
give advice on these subec 81 hs is not my mission.
Iwantto be informed of the best way to bring about
peace so that 1t Will last want to get up ali the
evidence that can to proceed on my mission. Do
you think that justice will be done the colored
people at the Civil Courts, II tins Bureau is abo-


Mr. Portlock-I do not. I hope the Government
will retain the Bureau, and glVe us the protection of
the military. when we are recOgnized as men then
think 1t Will be time TO talk about aoOshng
the Bureau, and lot until then. l want to see
leace.


Nicholas Barbour-I think that when men become
free, they ought to have chance to enjoy their free
dom / do not think that when we grow up from
childhood ana become men, and rive at manhood
tnat we ought al yavs 20 remalu uuder the parental
roof l am discharged United States seaman;
when enlisted 10 fight the bates of my country
did not expect when the war was over that would
have TO Apply to the Gene al Government to give me
guard when wanted to traye rom place to place
in my own native country; l dId not think that 1t
Woud be needed atterCle war at any rate. Imean to
say that when the Rebellion was crushed and peace
restored to ditTacted country did not expect 1t
would be necessary TO keep guard over my own
house and to be armed to the teeth to keep down
the Rebels / thought the Government was strong
enough TO enforce her avs founded on the funta-
mental prI cIpl les OF the Government. did not
pect to Ue on guard the balance oil my days, but the
way things have turned up It seems so, thought
when the Civil Rghts bill became a law that IL
would be enforced by the Government / did not
expect TO see one law for white men and another for
b ack men, expected TO see ali Tried IN
the same court by the tw. My idea is
to teach ali men what the law is, and then
try all alike. Have no distinction on account
of race or color. Let the same doctor phy-
SIC both the white and black alike. If the
white Union man dies in our cause, are also will
ing 10 die with hm. and Vtce ge'sa Ii ne lives we
want to 1--we also. We have both been the common
sufferers let us both reap the common benefit, The
Bureau must remain a while longer; but 1 do not
want TO be Gttedys dependent on the Government
for military aid and interference that may live here
and enjoy the fruits OF my labor. Put us all upon
our own resources and give us all the same chance.
Had It not been for the blacks the Union white
men OF the South would have been extermnated


General steadman-Do you think justice would
be shown you Dy the state courts II the Bureau were


Mr. Barbour-Keep the Bureau for five years at
least and think the result will be a good one.
Ali the people, both white and black, will then
houa a 0UFinn mo 10 ~ m an