Freedmen's Bureau Records: Statement of David Fultz,
February 8, 1867
Summary:
Fultz, a lawyer in Staunton, offers a statement about his acquaintance with
Frederick Tukey. Fultz states that he had the confidence of the local black
population, and would therefore have known about any complaints against Tukey,
of which, he says, there were none.
February 8. 1867
Staunton
With surprise I have learned that complaints have been lodged against Mr Tukey in connection with the Freedmens Bureau at this place. I made the acquaintance of Mr T. very soon after he first came to our town; and my Office being in close proximity with his, and having frequently attended professionally to [unclear: business] which came up before him officially, I had a better opportunity perhaps than any other person to view his conduct both as a private citizen and a public officer.
And it is but justice to say, that his course has given universal satisfaction to all colors and all shades of party. He has happily mingled a spirit of moderation and conciliation, with a [unclear: firm] upright and impartial administration of justice to black and white, loyal and disloyal. I am satisfied that no man could [unclear: accept] that office who would be more acceptable to our people [added: without regard to color] than Mr T.
I am not the less qualified
[page 2]
to judge of the conduct private and public
of Mr T. because of the [unclear: sentiments] I have
[unclear: entertained], and maintained in relation to the rebellion.
I never have had but one opinion on that subject, and that was, that such folly
and wickedness never was exhibited in any age by any civilised people. This opinion I have expressed on all suitable
occasions, for which I have been frequently insulted and threatened with
personal violence.
After the order directing a Freedmans Court, I was selected by the Freedmen to attend to their interest in said court, but owing to my professsional engagements I had to decline. This would show that I had their confidence, and never having heard a solitary complaint from any one of them, I take it, that there could have been no cause for it.
David Fultz
