Freedmen's Bureau Records: George T. Cook to R. S.
Lacey, July 31, 1866
Summary:
Cook's report talks about the inability of free blacks to receive fair trials, as
well as the local population's desire to keep freedmen "in their proper place."
Cook fears that justice will not be possible until attitudes change.
Bureau Refugees Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
Office
Assistant
Superintendent
Sub-District No. 10
Captain R. S. Lacey
Superintendent Seventh District
Virginia
Lynchburg Virginia
July 31st 1866
Staunton Virginia
Sir:
I have the honor to make the following report of Bureau Affairs in this Sub-District
There seems to be a growing spirit among the whites of resolve to keep the
freedpeople "in their proper place" as they term it, or in other words to keep
them as nearly as possible to their former state of servitude. Assaults have
been quite frequent and the Magistrates to whom the cases are referred for trial
do not give impartial decisions - the trials during the past month have resulted
unfavorably to the freedmen. I have talked the subject over with the Judge of
the Augusta County Court Commonwealth
Attorney, and others, and feel convinced that it will
be impossible to get just decisions before Magistrates until the sentiment of
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the people changes. The Magistrates holding office as a mere
honorary title will not give decisions contrary to the sentiment of the
communities in which they live, and until these preliminary trials are properly
conducted, the Freedmen cannot get justice.
Grand Jurors have in a very aggravated case refused to indict - the case has been duly reported.
Freedpeople have conducted themselves well during the month, labor has been in good demand.
I have registered since last report in compliance with Circular number 11 C.S. 37 Couples and 144 children making a total of 758 couples and 213 children in the County of Augusta.
I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
George T. Cook
1st
Lieutenant
Veterans Reserve Corps and Assistant
Superintendent
