E. A. Lawson to Richard Yates

Jacksonville Ills Sep 19th 1862 Dear Sir. Under the law you and all other citizens of the U S both white and black are entitled to protection of person and property. Any interference with a colored person, which is intended to hinder him from living and laboring wherever he can get wages and support himself is illegal and revolutionary. A contest with one's neighbors is to be deprecated and avoided , but justice and the public welfare often demand some one with courage and discretion, who will for a time allow himself to become odious, that truth through his efforts to defend himself may have an opportunity to combat and conquer prejudice and error. Should you receive orders from unauthorized persons to leave your own premises, you would take

measures to defend yourself. Those whom you employ have a perfect right to do the same thing. The magistrates and other peace officers of your county-and if they refuse, or are unable to protect you-the Governor of the State is bound to protect you by the military power of the State. I hope you will have no cause to appeal to the last resort-force, but were I in your place, it seems to me I should suit myself in employing labor, and try to be ready for emergencies of every sort. Yours Truly E A Lawson Esq Beardstown Ills

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