I Have delayed answering your letter to get a line on Nixon. As a result of my investigation I advise that he be not appointed. Nixon is not well known here, has lived here but a few months. I am advised that he came from the Goldsboro section. I was unable to find any white people who know his character. The men who recommended him, F. F. Chambers and R. D. Bailey, are colored. I know them both very well and they are men of good character, but I expect they followed the bad example of a good many white people--recommended Nixon without being sure of his character or because they lacked the nerve to refuse to sign his petition. I talked to one of the most prominent negroes of the community, a man of intelligence and high character who is universally respected. While he had no personal knowledge of any delinquency on the part of Nixon he said the man's reputation was not of the best among the colored people and that he had not made a good impressiom on him. He referred me to a colored minister who knew Nixon in the Goldsboro section. The minister said he could not recommend Nixon. I am satisfied that both these men were candid and fair in their estimate and their testimony satisfies me that the man is of doubtful reputation.

I agree with you that there is no good reason why a colored man should not be appointed notary public, but of course it is important that there be no doubt as to his integrity.