Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-04-04
Tho Matthews and Foster letters:

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 26.--Gen.
hemen:-Referring to tho convcrsa-
tion had with you yesterday, in which
Gov. Hayes policy as to the status Of
certain Southern States was discuss
ed, we desire to say in reply that we
can assure you inthe strongest possible
manner ofOur great desire to have
adopted such a policy as will give to
the people Of the States Of South Car
olina and Louisiana the right to con-
troll their own affairs in their own
way. and to say further that we feel
authorized, from an acquaintance
and knowledge of Gov. Hayes and
his wise views on this question, to
pledge ourselves to you for him that
such will: be his policy.
(Signed), CHAs. FOSTER.
WASHINGTON CRY, February 27.--
Gentlemen: Referring to the conver-
sation had with you Yesterday, in
which Gov. Hayes policy as to the
status of certain Southern States was
discussed, we desire TO say we can
assure you in the strongest possible
manner of our great desire to have
him adopt such policy as will give to
the people of the states of South
Carolina and Louisiana the right to
control their own affairs in their own
way, subject only to the Constitution
of the United States and the laws
made in pursuance thereof, and to
say further, that from an acquaintance
with and knowledge of Gov. Hayes
views, we have the most complete
confidence that such will be the pol
icy of his administration.
(Signed), STANLEY MATTHEWS.
CHARLES FOSTER.
The following letter passed from
Lamar to Ellis prior to the writing OF
the Matthews and Foster letters:
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. 20. s
MY DEAR ELLIS II have just learn.
ed from unquestionablc authority
which will give if you wish it, thai
Foster said to the gentlemen, my in.
fOrmant, that the speech he made to.
day which SO insignificantly but indi.
rectly hints at Hayes Southern policy.
That he mrde it after consultation
with Matthews, Mr.. Hayes brother
in-law, and Matthews told him and
urged him to say squarely that Hayes
would have nothing to do or say to
Packard. Foster said he would, but
he was afraid he would take too much
trouble on himself to say that. But
Matthews reiterates his desire that
Foster should say so plumply, and
further said if l were to speak 1 should
say it, because it is the truth. Foster
further said he did not see the mode
by which Hayes could accomplish the
practical recognition of Nichols aa
Governor, to which my informant re-
piled let him ask Nichols "If / with
draw the arms and gunboats will you
assure me that you will not establish
your government by bloodshed and
by bloody retaliation" and If Nichols
makes that pledge let him withdraw
them. Now, Ellis, this is the first
thing | have ever heard as coming
from Hayes directly or indirectly,
that is worth acting upon by any
Southern man. We do not want Off
ces, but we do want to get our States
and our people free from carpet-bag
governments. Ought you not If any
available opportunity offers You to
serve your people to spring forward
at once and SEQ If you can't free your
State. l think you should at once see
Mr.. Stanley Matthews and ask him if
Gov. Hayes will give him some assu-
rance that he will not maintain Pack
ard in his domination over vour peo-
pie. Your friend,
(Signed) L. Q. G. LAMAR.
Hon. JOHN ELLIS, Representative of
Louisiana.