35

a resident of Annapolis, where the cause of complaint is said
to have originated, and beg leave to enclose herewith a full
report of that officer, which I hope will prove satisfactory.

In reply to your remark that "if the officials are so paral-
ysed by a wrong public sentiment, that they cannot exercise
their trust and make requisition for aid, it will be afforded,"
I would state in justice to the people of Maryland, that from
the date of the Proclamation of Emancipation, I have wit-
nessed no evidence of that "wrong public sentiment" which
could justify the violent action recommended by your agent.
Individual instances of outrages have occasionally occurred
without the sanction or countenance of the people of the
State; and I think I have promptly exercised all the power
which was required, to restrain these acts, whenever com-
plaint has been made to this Department.

It is not without regret, General, that in some communica-
tions heretofore made to this Department, I have discovered
a disposition on the part of certain citizens to ignore both the
power and disposition of the Executive to afford relief in
cases of a similar character, by direct appeal to the Freed-
men's Bureau; and you will permit me to express surprise,
that you should have deemed it necessary upon the submis-
sion of a trivial complaint by an impulsive subordinate to
consult General Grant as to the propriety of occupying the
State of Maryland by a military force in the interest of the
Freedmen's Bureau to supercede the civil authority and out-
rage the feelings of our people by the presence of a military
force to execute the laws.

The report of the Attorney General will satisfy you of the
utter groundlessness of the whole proceeding, which I regret
to find, has already gone forth to the public in disparage-
ment of the temper of our people and their disposition to do
the amplest justice to the Freedman in all that relates to his
person and his property.

I am, with great respect,

Your obedient servant,

THOMAS SWANN.