Two hundred sixty-five residents of Rutherford County deplore the "great evils growing out of the residence of the free colored population in our midst." The petitioners insist that free people of color "not only infest our town, but are scattered over our entire County" and that they "are generally indolent and manifest no disposition to labor for a living, but by thieving themselves and holding out inducements to our Slaves, to trade with them, induce them to steal every thing that comes in their way, which renders them less valuable and more ungovernable." They therefore "humbly, but earnestly ask you in your wisdom to take an extended view of this important subject, and apply whatever remedy you may deem necessary."
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Repository: Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee
