Letter from Colonel Samuel Thomas to J. D. Collier; July 22, 1865

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Letter from Colonel Samuel Thomas to J. D. Collier; July 22, 1865

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People

Aldridge?, Stuart?Collier, J. D.Scott, Unknown Thomas, Samuel, 1840-1903

Events

Criminal Procedure Criminal Procedure--Arrest Criminal Procedure--Imprisonment Property Management Property Management--Eviction

Military Units

United States. Army

Organizations

Plantations United States--Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands United States--War Department

Occupations

Commercial agents Law Enforcement Law Enforcement--Prison Guard Legal Profession--Lawyers Plantation overseers

Places

Mississippi--Warren County. Vicksburg

Social Identifiers

African Americans African Americans--Historically free and newly freed

Page 1

[seal]

(Copy)

OFFICE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER BUREAU REFUGEES, FREEDMEN AND ABANDONED LANDS
FOR STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
VICKSBURG, Miss, July 22^nd, 1865.

J. D. Collier Esq

Sir:

Your communication of July 21^st with reference to the action of the civil authorities in trying to expel you from a plantation leased by you from a regularly authorized agent of the Government has been recieved.

I would say in answer that the charge of abandoned and leased lands has been given to the War Dept and they are now under its control. You will be sustained in your rights and privileges as guaranteed by your lease, if it takes all the armies of the United States to support you.

If Mr. Scott has a claim vs ^against^ any one for the seizure of his lands, that party is the United States.

I am the authorized agent of the War Dept for your protection. I will arrest and imprison with military guards any party or parties interfering with your rights and priviledges under your contract with the United States.

Page 2

Obey the summons of the civil authorites and show them your lease and this letter.

Go to your plantation and carry out the agreement made by you with the United States and let me know when you are inter-fered with in so doing

Respectfully,

(signed) Sam^l Thomas
Col, Asst Com'r Freedmens Bureau]]

Official copy
Stuart? Aldridge?
Lt, Act asst Adjt Genl

Page 3

OFFICE ASS'T COMMISSIONER FREEDMEN'S BUREAU,
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI,
VICKSBURG, MISS., July 22d 1865.

THOMAS, COL. SAM'L
ASS'T COMMISSIONER FREEDMEN'S BUREAU,
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

Directs J D Collier to remain on his plantation leased from the United States.

States that he will protect him in so doing.