Tallahassee [Fla.] April 5th/66
Dear Sir We the undersigned, colored grocers of this city, take this method to Present themselves to you. We Protest against the crushing Taxes that are charged by the civil authorities as unbearable, under the circumstances.
If we do not keep such astablishments to Protect our People against Paying the Rebels such a high Price for what they need what will they have at the end of the year to begin with. we hope you will give to the Subject your most favourable View
we Remane dear sir your most Obt Servts Respectfully
| Robert Williams | Boson Roberson |
| Samuel Wells | George Laramore |
| Crofford Watkins | Lucian Fisher |
| Austin Whiticer |
Robert Williams et al. to Col T. W. Osborn, 5 Apr. 1866, W-30 1866, Letters Received, series 586, FL Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives. The letter and all the signatures are in the same handwriting. No reply has been found in the assistant commissioner's letters-sent volumes.
Published in Land and Labor, 1866–1867, p. 514.