Letter from Charles P. Head and other committee members (including Henry P. Scott) to Commissioner S. Thomas at the Freedmen’s Bureau, April 17, 1866 (Freedmen’s Bureau Records of the Assistant Commissioner, Mississippi (M826), Roll 14, Letters Received, Vol 002, Jan 1866-Feb 1867)
Vicksburg April 17th 1866
General S. Thomas
Commisioner Refugees F & A Lands for the State of Missisppi
Respectfully Sir
At a Public meeting of the Colored People of this City held on Tuesday Evening April 17th 1866
After Serveral Complaints being made of the many abuses that is So. often. Purpertrated opon our People. thougout the State. It was Resolved. That we would inform you of them: Wheareopon the undersigned Committee was appointed to inform you of the facts: first. the Recent outrage opon three Colored Men who Visited this City for the Purpose of making Some Purchases. They Landed in the city about two O Clock at night but were Strangers: conse-quently, They were unable to find Lodging imediatly. The city Police taken them up. and Lodg them in the city goal. The remainer of the night. one of the Parties Claims to have had a Sum of money taken from him When Released at the Mayor Court the next moring: over and above his fine. We earnestly Call your attention to this disgraceful Proceeding of the Civil Courts. We do Respectfully Call your attention to a recent outrage Commited opon the Person of a Colored Citizen, a recent discharge union Soldier, in the town of Port Gibson, Miss. We are Creditible inform that one, George Wright, a White man Without any Just Cause deliberatly Shot the above Colored Citizen, and We are told that the Said Wright, was not arrest at all. We again Soliscite your earnest Consideration at the Same time hope this is inteligible
C. P. Head Chair.
H. P. Scott
Committee
A. W. Ross
S Shafer
H. W. Jenkins
P. Cato