New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-02-20

the absence of the coroner. 1t was accord
ingly held next day Sunday, but nothing
positive or certain ELECTED as to the assas-
sin.
SO far from being cognizant, or even Gus.
pic;ous, that any one had murderous de-
sign against him, had such an intimatioh
been made TO me but . moment before be
was shot, should have run any rlsk-even
to the hazard of my life-tO shield him. My
activity and zeal in trying to ferret out the
assassin Of my friend are known to all IN this
community, and it seems were known 20
the assassin himself, or some one OF his con.
tederates, as the inclOsed letter, dropped in
in the postotfice here, will render quite sure.
have carefully preserved this document.
having permitted only few particular
friends TO know that it existed, hoping that.
perhaps. by means OF it. some clue may yet
be afforded to the detection of the assassin.
make it a part of this. my defense. ana
entrust it 70 you, only requesting that you
will use it with this letter. and return 1t 20
me. This letter, evidently written by some
person in the confidence OF the assassin, Il
no. one Of his coz federates, immediately
subsequent to tie death OF Mr.. Mcdonald,
taken in connection with my open and un.
sparing denunciatiOn of the manner OF II.
and NV efforts to detec: the perpetrator.
OccasiOned me for some time no little un'
easiness. and kept me on the watch tor my
own safety. And we'll it might, after the
awful tragedy enacted almost in my pres
ence and that OF my wife and little child.
rem. and that, too. in the night time. and
without any known cause.
All the material facts detailed above are
OF record IL the proceedings OF the inquest.
Now. my dear sir. can any reasonable man.
in view of these indisputable facts. have
the ettyontery TO charge, or even inslnuate.
| that was cOgnizant OF the death OF ". b.
Mcdonald. ! am sure there is not man
! in the parish of jackson or elsewhere who
| is acquainted with me. that would tor a
| momen: believe such preposterous charge.
even i. ignorant OF the facts have detailed.
Under ordinary circumstances l should
not even notice the charge. come from
whom i. might. But as you intimate that
| it constitutes an objection with honorable
| Senators TO the confirmation OF my appoint
ment. can not remain silent. AL the facts
| narrated in this communication are well
| known here: and such as bear on the death
| of our late lamented friend are sustained
| by the record.
AS to the "other iawless acts" referred TO
in your letter say nothing. as the perpe.
traitors are well known and l learn that
warrants for their apprehension have been
| duly issued. and it they are not arrested IN
| the meantime indictments will be preferred
| agans. them by the next grand jury. when.
| IL dIItStcb tdAu "LA 20 AAit's S.iN.
flee the country. their lawless conduct vii.
| be judicially investigated. | can proud"
! say, not only that have no sympathy with
such acts, but from. my very sou. abomi
nate them. and whatever my duty re! Tres
Of me in the premises shall be performed
faithfully and impartially." acco:d.n: "a
| the terms of my official oath.
| desire YOU to use this letter in such j
| manner as it may seem best 10 you IL .: der
to remove any injurious impressions that
| may have been made on the minds OF sena'
tors by the silly and gratuitouS charge
| Publish it if you think j. right Or Necessary
to that end: if not. show j: or communicate
its contents to them, individually or col
!ectivelv.
have written more at length than de
| sired or intended when l commenced. but
on reading over what have written have
concluded to mail it just as i. is, without
recasting it for the purpose OF Authorization
| In fact time is wanting. as the mail VII
| soon close. Let me hear from you on re
celpt. Yours truly.
JAMES Z. HAMLETT.
AT Ny RENDEZVOUS. April l. 1873.
JAMES Hamlet. EST:
SIE-As you NANTES: so great a desire tC
! get a thread OF evidence to lead - c0uv.c
ton the murderer of Mcdonald. and a:e :,
DESTROYS to have the parties summac!l,
hung. NEE. us at Captain Aliens Old res
! :dence, one mile from Vernon. at midni ga:
on the nj IN: Of the fifth instant. al. yol
shall. be gratited. We wi! agree noc u
! .iis.,,rf. ca-, xt-;rntpv ~. ". T.