The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-04-08
From the Brandon Republican.
The Committee of Five Convicted
OfFOrefmR Evidence.

Several weeks since we published the evil
dence of a number OF freedmen puIportinG
I TO have been given before the "Committee
/ of Five" and by them reported to the Re-
I construction Committee of Congress. Among
J these certificates was that of James Thomas,
stating that Hon. +. Barksdale went 70
Steen's Greek on the day Of election, armed
wi tn bowie knife and pistol, and told them
that if they did not vote the Democratic
ticket they would be run out of the county
and State. and no employment would be
given them. etc. In another column We
publish certificate of said James Thomas,
who swears that he never made any such
statement TO the committee, and clearly
convicting the committee of forgery and per-
jury. We also publish the certificates OF q
number ofother freedmen, corroborating the
statements of Thomas.
We sincerely hope that other gentlemen
of this county, who have been reported as
using violence and intimidating threats to
compel freedmen to vote against their con-
victions of right, viii initiate the example
and call on such freedmen as are reported
by the committee to have sworn to these
lying statements, and obtain from them
such evidence as will not fail TO convict said
committee OF perjury, bribery, forgery, etc.
AFFIDAVIT OF JAMES THOMAS, (FREEDMAN)
ONE OF THK PRETENDED WITNESSES OF
THE COMMITTEE OF FIVE.
Whereas, In statement made by one ID.
). Hartman TO the Committee OF FIVE, da-
ted June Both, 1869, il is alleged that X.
Barksdale, in speech at Stems Greek,
Rankin county, on the day of the election
(June 22d, 1861 told the freedmen there
assembled that if they avoted for the pro-
posed constitution they would be Obliged
TO leave the county and State" and used
other threatening language TO influence
their action. And whereas IL Is attempted
TO be shown by pretended affidavit, which
| am represented to have made before w.
III. Gibbs, Chairman of the Committee of
Five" that the said +. Barksdale did in the
speech referred 10 threaten the colored vo-
tiers, and said that 'if they voted for the
constitution they would not have employ
ment given them by the white people, and
would be driven out of the State" and far
Their said that said Barksdale did exhibit
weapons and make other threatening DEM
OnstratiOns. Nolc this is 10 certify that did
not make the alleged statement nor any other
susceptible Of its Interpretation That on the
contrary, the speech of the said Barksdale
and previous speech which l heard him
deliver, were explanatory of what he regar-
ded the Objectionable provisions OF the
neutrality-suspicious. its clauses ex-
Guiding certain classes from voting, snd its
miXed-school and militia systems and its
schemes of Public Works. Affiant states
that the said Barksdale used no threats, and
so far from resorting to weapons, DC, his
manner was kind and conciliatory. The
undersigned further testifes that he voted
''for the Constitution" and so informed the
said Barksdale on the day of the election
That he employed on the premises of
the said Barksdale and was not removed for
so voting nor was he after wards spoken to |
by the said Barksdale on the subject who
carried out his contract faithfully at the
close of the year, and between whom and
himself there was no interruption of bust
ness relations. Affiant makes oath that any
pretended statement or affidavit differing
from the foregoing, is FRAUDULENT,
AND SCANDALOUS.
JAMES THOMAS. 1
Sworn to and subscribed before me this |
10th day of March, 1869.
GEO. A. SMYTHE.
u. s. COMMISSIONER.