May
Nineteenth
1920

Mr. J. W. Sharpe,
Deputy Clerk of the Court,
Statesville, N.C.

Dear Sir:

Replying to your letter of May 13th I am enclosing herewith, for your information, copy of letter I have today written to A. H. Nixon. It explains itself. This appointment was made through mistake, and I thank you for calling our attention to it. Of course there is no reason why a negro should not be appointed a Notary Public, provided he is properly recommended by leading citizens of his community. A negro Notary Public is, in my opinion, on all-fours with negro doctors and negro lawyers, who are licensed by the State, as he works only among his own people, and white people cannot be brought before him as in the case of magistrates.

Very truly yours,

[unsigned]
Private Secretary.

M-T