Thursday, October 23, 2014

October 24, 1864---"Sheriffs persistently refuse to surrender these negroes except upon the payment of the fees in specie . . ."



OCTOBER 24, 1864:                   

The Adjutant General of the State of Texas corresponds with the Governor, Pendleton Murrah, expressing concern about abuses of power by local Sheriffs, who are arresting slaves working for the State and then refusing to release them except for payment of “fines” in gold and silver:

I desire most earnestly to invite your attention to another matter connected with the military administration in this District. Many instances have recently occurred of vexatious arrests and detentions of slaves in government employment. Upon demand being made by officers acting under my orders, Sheriffs persistently refuse to surrender these negroes except upon the payment of the fees in specie[.]

 As the military chest does not contain a dollar in metalic [sic] currency, it is entirely out of my power to comply with the demand. The consequence is that a considerable number of such negroes are held in confinement in the different jails of the State, and I am powerless to procure their liberation, except by the employment of force, which my respect for the laws of the State, even when perverted to the injury of a sacred cause, does not permit me to employ.

Under these circumstances, I have every reason to believe, that your Excellency, whose attention has been already directed to this subject, will recommend to the Legislature now in Session such amendment of the present laws as you may deem necessary.


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