Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-03-09
PRICE oF kURsCRIPTIoN.
LETTER PROM GRENADA.

GRENADA, MISS. March :, 1855.
Eds. appeal: 1 lately wrote you a
communication in which an account was
given Of the trial OF one Hagey for kill
ing 8 negro man at this place. This ac-
count was written for the very reason
that believed a false report would be
given of the trial By the Agent Of tAe
Freedmen's Bureau at this place. Sure
enough he has done so, and regret my
communication, written at the time, did
not appear, As it comedies with a report
of the case made officially TO the Gov
ernor Of the State by the Judge.
The Agent Of the Freedmen's Bureau
was present at the trial, and took notes
Of the testimony, which be was reques-
ted to read TO the company, but he re-
fused. He employed counsel, and no OBJ
jections were made at the trial to the
course Of the Judge. All the negro
testimony offered was heard upon
the trial. There We're two negro
witnesses-a woman, chief witness,
whose evidence was taken down in wri-
ting: and a negro boy, son Of the woman.
He did not know his age, bat his mother
ssid he was twelve. His testimony was
not taken down, and it certainly would
have been impossible TO write il down as
delivered nor could its substance be
taken down, for il had no substance. II
was inconsistent, contradictory, incOhe-
rent, idiOtical; and / feel certain that no
Eensible, candid and honest minded man
would give il the weight of feather one
side or the other. Twas present, paid close
attention, and did not understand that
there was any objection made by the
prosecuting attorney 10 the omission Of
reducing this boys evidence 10 writing. /
The testimony was clear and conclusive /
that the negro man from behind knocked .
Hagey down with. probably, a brick bat, .
fell OF jumped upon bin, and while on .
top was shot by Hagey. It WAS a clear
ease OF self defense, and defendant was
discharged. The Agent Of the Freed
mems Bureau said that he wanted 10
take the defendant and witnesses down
10 his quarters TO examine further. The
J Judge replied that he had discharged his
duty by acquitting the defendant, and
the witnesses were in the custody of the
constable Gs run2wsys. Soon afterwards
the Agent Of the Bureau sent a file of
negro soldiers 10 take HaCey and the ne
grOes. The former escaped, but the lat
Ter were taken down 10 the appellate
court.
Yesterday thefolIowing papers were re-
ceived by the judge, or copies. Arespectful
and courteous letter from Gen. Wood TO
Gov. Humphreys, stating that report had
been made 10 him that at the trial of
Hagey, for the murder of a negro, the
Judge refused to receive negro testimony, I
and a letter from the Governor TO the
District Attorney, requiring him TO in
vestigate and report the case. The judge
has forwarded a copy Of the proceedings
with a COPY Of the evidence.
The Judges report j. accompanied by
B statement Of many Of the most respect
able citizens, IN substance clearly con- ]
Trajectory Of the report made to Gen.
Wood. This agent Of the bureaus DO
itical, fanaticsl larson-really does :
uuch harm 30 the Government which ;
pays him, as he is blinded by prejudice, [
4 not by something worse. Is it not q
against his express orders to take juris- Q
iicti0n Of an Offense plainly within the 2
Jurisdiction of the civil authorities, and
which the civil authorities did take iUris- 2
fiction Of and decide2 Could he right {
uIIy arrest and try again a man once d
ried and acquitted by the civil msgis- r
rate2 II be could arrest and try, surely e
.e could punish also. To say that he 7
Ook jurisdiction because the civil court /
rred, is 10 say that he holds court Of z
PpellRte jurisdiction. Aye, but he re- Z
.srts that negro testimony was not re- a
eived, and-his report was false. ?
SIDNEY HAMPDEN. C.