In a September 30, 1865 letter to John Bracklesby in Hartford, Conn., Joseph Linn King discusses politics and legal cases in post-Civil War Knoxville. King describes Knoxville as "improved materially recently and I observe a more moderate tone in the late 2 mos. of the Knoxville Whig also." He also talks about a case in which the judge sentenced a man to six years in prison for intimidating and "takeing [sic] from one of his neighbours 2 sides of Bacon." The judge in his charge stated to the jury that a rebel stood before the law the same as a Union man, and that there was no law that allowed one citizen to rob another because of his political opinions. King also mentions that he has made arrangements to move his family and business to Atlanta by November 1.