The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-31
WASHINGTON.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.


WASHINGTON. May CO. 1870
THE MISSISSIPPI INVESTIGATION GOVERNOR
AMEs BEFORE THE coMMITrEE-DocUMKNTs
SHOWING THE TRUE HISTORY OF THE vIcKs-
BURG RIOT IN DECEMBER, 1874-THE TROUBLE
INITIATED BIZ AMEs zoR POLITICAL PUR-
POSES
1t is understood that in his testimony before the
Senate Committee Mississippi Affairs, which sits in
secret Ex-Governor Ames told story about the vcks-
burg riot in December. 1874. The following docu-
nents tell tho true story
Crosby, ilIltcrato aud corrupt negro demagogue,
had been elected sheriff Of Warren county. II was
charged against him that he was acting and collect
Ing public money without having given lawful
bonds. and mob illegally coerccd him TO rc-
sign his place. He went to Jackson 10
consult with the State authorities and meeting was
held at the Governors mansion At that meeting the
Attorney General. republican, advised. as his testi.
mony given below proves that Crosby had pcaceabie
remedy in the courts. Several prominent citlxena
were ready to go to vicksburs, as commissioners, u
settle the matter pcaceaby. Governor Ames rejected
all advice and told Crosby to go back 10
vickspurg, summon the negroes from the
surrounding country and reinstate himself
by force. The negroes, summoned by notice the
churches on Sunday. marched yicksburg Monday
mornng in struggling manner, and as, In iact,
mob we're met outside by apary of whites, and driven
on, number being shot. That was the vicksburg
riot; and concerning the manner which and tho
purpose with which Governor Amcs deliberately
brought It on the following sworn testimony VIII DO
laid before the Senate committee
FUst-Tarbe, Judge of the Supreme Court, North
and republican, present tho meeting In the
Governors house, says under oath
My theory OF Crosby was that through his ignorance
ncompetcDcy and dishonesty he had brought the state
oithings we were there 70 consider regarded
Crosby az utterly unworthy, untrustworhy and IncoEn
pctent for any position whatever. IL was considered
that " any physical assistance was rendered 70 Crosby
IL was TO be composed Of colorcd people.
Second-Captain a. W. Allyn also present a. tho con.
suitation. says under OATH
Am captain OF tho Sixteenth United States infantry
and command the post at Jackson; was present 1t
meeting in the early part December 1874 happened
there casually, without invitation; the conversation
turned upon the forced resignation OF Crosby sher Of
Warren county, and upon The power OF tho sheriff -
the body Of tho county posse 10 enforce the
law. There difference OF opinion the eheg-
i-s ability regain his position. Tho opinion At Az
torney General Harris that all tho legal po&er Of
tho courts should be- exhausted before It Wa time
for the Executive TO take action. IL was
.aa' M o,spnr ssssg t
scnid That ''very likely fifteen ~ tosagD
negroes may be Killed, but tAat IL sooaM ressh 3 ~
benefit Of the republicans party"
the official legal advisor tho Governor. also present
at the consultation, says, under OATH
Was present at tho interview at tho Gov
ernor's mansion in December, 1874 just before
(Amcs) asked me concerning the law Or The
matter lin Crosby's easel aud l commenced W
give HIM the law by which Crosby could obtain pos-
session Of his Office In the courts. y y 00vornoe
Amos then turned and addressed himself to Inc col
ored men present. remarkng that he and other white
had faced the bullets to Tree them and II they were
not willing 10 tight Tor that freedom they
worthy Of It. Some remarked that II Crosby under
took that there would DO lives lost and the Governor
replied
'wha. If 1t does cost bloods The blood Of the mar
tyrs Is the seed OF tho Church. y
ADVISED the Governor that 1t questionable, from
Crosby's statement, whether his actual rcssgna
ton or whether was durcss, and therefore II was
question for the courts was Attorney
General at the time.
FourA-H. Il. pcasc, republican and Northern
man, ex-Unitcd States Senator and at present post
master at vicksburg, says
Hal a conversation with W. W. Dcadcrick in Wash
ington city IN the month OF January 1876 as to vat
occurred in the Governors mansion in conversai,a
about the Vicksburg- Crosby ALTAR. Ho spoke
OF the peculiar language, temper and manner OF the
Governor ut that meeting; said the Governor very
much excited aud advised Crosby TO 20 TO yicksburg
and summon the colored people and renssatc himself
in his Office. Upon which Doaderick said he and
one else demonstrated with the Governor TO the
policy Of sending Crosby back TO vicksburs to
the negroes that Crosby sent back there 1t would
result in bloooshed; giving that a for
sending Crosby back TO which Ames replied, rhRt tho
killing OF twenty-five or thirty negroes would be oil al
vantage the republican party, the principle that
tho blood Of the martyrs Is tho seed Of the Church,
Deadcrck spoke OF this as bong very njudcious and
unwisc counsel
This testimony shows that tho real and deliberate
author of the vckspurg riot was Governor Amos him
self; that his order 10 Crosby to summon the negroes
was given In tho face OF tho advice Of his Attorney
General that there remedy in the courts and WITH
his words show tho deliberate intention OF causing
bloodshed and tho killing Of negroes in order 10 ad-
vance partisan interests.