Fitzgerald, Edward Bishop of Little Rock, Little Rock, Arkansas, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1867 November 10

As requested he sends an abstract of the laws of Arkansas concerning marriage. The only hope for Arkansas is in immigration from the older states or from Europe. The short cotton crops and low prices are having a depressing effect on the people. Every one is speaking of leaving. There is apprehension for a negro rising and massacre. The negroes are drilling by night under the lead of bad white men. They will starve themselves to buy a pistol or rifle. The South generally does not offer much inducements to immigrants. Arkansas would improve rapidly if their political troubles were settled. :: II-5-c A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.