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Comments on Abraham Lincoln, President Andrew Johnson, and behaving graciously in political defeat. Believes Johnson needs to take "a Firmer tone with the South" to prevent difficult times for African Americans. Mentions citizenship rights for African Americans, social equality, and the poor logic of colonization. Touches on Irish independence.

Contracts for labor with a former slave, Reyton McCalley, "a comon…field hand upon a plantation," for the entire year of 1866. He will work "in the production of cotton and other agriculture."

As a member of the School Committee of Newport, answering questions posed by Janes about African American students. 13 African American students enrolled, "and it gradually increases. It was advised by members of the committee that the introduction should be gradual." School attendance generally diminishing, but only "about a dozen" white children left directly due to African American attendance. No conflicts have been reported and believes integration beneficial to all. Believes existing laws, if properly followed, are sufficient to secure equal access to schools, and community opinion seems to be in favor. Integration first raised to the School Committee by "a colored citizen named Mitchell S. Haynes, who claimed the right to have his child admitted to the school nearest his residence." Accompanied by a ca. 1871 CDV portrait of Higginson.

Discusses tensions between slaves and former owners, and slaves traveling to Liberia; "I think any of those would be wise to go to a country where the mild and equable climate..."

Democrats as rebels; "There is Music in the old Name Democrat but here Democrat means Rebel." Mentions issues concerning the use of the terms 'white' and 'male' in the Michigan and Nevada Constitution. On "State of Nevada--Senate Chamber" printed stationery.

True copy of documents related to the lawsuit of C. R. Johns v. T. D. Moseley and S. W. Goodrich, 1865-1868, over non-payment of slave hire. Includes petition, demurrer and answer, order of court, notes, judgment, petition for write of error, acceptance of service, error bond, and certificate. Witnessed and certified by Frank Brown, clerk of the district court of Travis County. Filing dates to October 6, 1868.

Warrenton, Georgia, Sheriff Norris writes to Georgia Governor Rufus Bullock. Requests military assistance to keep order, on account of the Ku Klux Klan's (KKK) pursuit of former slave Perry Jeffers. Description of the circumstances surrounding the case, including the murder of Jeffers's son, William. Violence against freedmen.

Planning convention of Equal Rights Leagues, "We are about holding a Convention of the Equal Rights Leagues of this State & also invite Some from New York & it may be Ohio." It will meet in Meadville in early August, with "one grand object that of sustaining the Republican Party through effective Organization." Requests help through money and influence with railroads, which would be "the most effective deadly blow Copperheaded treason can sustain."

Describes events around a black man accused of assaulting a girl, "There was a great excitement here in Rochester some two weeks ago about a Negro insulting a little Girl some ten years of age. He came very near killing her. He knocked out some of her teeth and her body in a most shameful manner . . . after he was arrested and in Jail a mob collected around the Jail and demanded the Prisoner." Two people in the mob were killed by troops guarding the prison and he was sentenced to 20 years.

Respecting articles in the Liberator concerned with the destruction of a racially integrated school for"black and white scholars" in New Canaan, Connecticut, by the local community in 1835. Writes that townspeople angered by whites and blacks socializing together described school as a nuisance and insisted upon its removal. Accompanied by an 8-page manuscript respecting the incident from 1872 or later. The enclosure was written on printed "Office of the New Hampshire Patriot" (Concord, N.H.) stationery and on printed "Greeley and Brown Club" petitions.