Source: The Freedmen of Edisto Island Petition to the Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau and to the President for the Opportunity to Obtain Their Own Land, Edisto Island, S.C., October 1865. General: We want Homesteads; we were promised Homesteads by the government. If It does not carry out the promises Its agents made to us, ... we are left In a more unpleasant condition than our former. We are at the mercy of those who are combined to prevent us from getting land enough to lay our Fathers bones upon. . . . To the President of these United States: Shall not we who Are freedman and have been always true to this Union have the same rights as are enjoyed by Others?... Are not our rights as A free people and good citizens of these United States To be considered before the rights of those who were Found in rebellion against this good and just Government (and now being conquered) come (as they Seem) with penitent hearts and beg forgiveness For past offenses and also ask if thier [sic] lands Cannot be restored to them. Are these rebellious Spirits to be reinstated in thier [sic] possessions And we who have been abused and oppressed For many long years not be allowed the Privilege of purchasing land But be subject to the will of these large Land owners? God forbid. . . . Unless some provision is Made our future is sad to look upon. . . . We therefore look to you In this trying hour as A true friend of the poor and Neglected race, for protection and Equal Rights, with the privilege of purchasing A Homestead- A Homestead right here in the Heart of South Carolina.

Source: The Freedmen of Edisto Island Petition to the Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau and to the President for the Opportunity to Obtain Their Own Land, Edisto Island, S.C., October 1865. General: We want Homesteads; we were promised Homesteads by the government. If It does not carry out the promises Its agents made to us, ... we are left In a more unpleasant condition than our former. We are at the mercy of those who are combined to prevent us from getting land enough to lay our Fathers bones upon. . . . To the President of these United States: Shall not we who Are freedman and have been always true to this Union have the same rights as are enjoyed by Others?... Are not our rights as A free people and good citizens of these United States To be considered before the rights of those who were Found in rebellion against this good and just Government (and now being conquered) come (as they Seem) with penitent hearts and beg forgiveness For past offenses and also ask if thier [sic] lands Cannot be restored to them. Are these rebellious Spirits to be reinstated in thier [sic] possessions And we who have been abused and oppressed For many long years not be allowed the Privilege of purchasing land But be subject to the will of these large Land owners? God forbid. . . . Unless some provision is Made our future is sad to look upon. . . . We therefore look to you In this trying hour as A true friend of the poor and Neglected race, for protection and Equal Rights, with the privilege of purchasing A Homestead- A Homestead right here in the Heart of South Carolina.