Letters re political, social, and economic conditions, including letter, 3 [Feb.?] 1866, Cartersville, Ga., D.W.K. Peacock, to John [H. King?], re his work as collector with Internal Revenue and plans to quit in order to devote work full-time on farming and cotton trading, availability of land at favorable prices, working with white labor but hiring an African-America to replace his brother who was wounded in a fight, and political developments in Congress. Letter, 20 Apr. 1868, from John J. Ragin, [Summerton, S.C.], re thefts by former slaves, confrontation between whites and blacks, Republican rule and African Americans in government, and financial hardships resulting in bankruptcy forcing land sales. Letter, 9 Sept. 1868, from John J. Ragin, Summerton, re possible damage to cotton from heavy rains, difficulties of farming with "Free Negroes," movement of blacks into Democratic Party out of fear of being dismissed from their plantations, the warning given to Ragin issued to the African Americans in his employ warning that they not vote the radical ticket, and his preference for Wando fertilizer over Peruvian guano. Also includes letter, 29 Sept. 1869, [to Houston County, Ga.], from John Felder, Leesburg, [Tex.], disucssing reasons why he considered Houston County an ideal place to farm and live, discussing his views on the relationship between climate and soil, offering advice on the mixing of guano fertilizer, and complaining of prices in Texas. Letter 7 June 1878, from H.R. Thomas, Wright's Bluff, [Clarendon County, S.C.], re difficulties with H.L. Benbow whom he had accused of having a black wife and children, and enclosing broadside, 15 Mar. 1878, "To the People of Clarendon County," in which he refused to withdraw his statements "reflecting upon the mode of life of Col. Benbow," candidate fo state senate.
