The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-26
HINDERING THE EXODUS.
CONWAT'S REPRESENTA- TONS TO TIE
FRAUDULENT PRESIDENT.


Mr.. Hayes Promising Protection to the Bont.
that 10 he sent Down the Mississippi
10 Bring up the WnItIna Negro Emigrnnts
WASHINGTON, May 25.-Gcn Thomas w.
Conway Of New Jersey and the Rev John
Turner OF St. Louis have Just reached this city,
delegated to see the Fraudulent President and
lay before him the facts as to the present con-
dition Of the colorcd cmigrants along the Mis-
sssippi River. with the view OF securing such
interference on the part Of the Government MS
might be deemed necessary and proper
Gen. Conway introduced tho object OF their
visit by saying TINT there are now cncamped
along the Mississippi. especially between Vicks-
burg and Natchcz thousands Of cmigrans who
hnvo money enough in their hands to pay for
their transportation northward. but arc
refused by the steamboat men. because
OF the terrorism employed over them
by the planters and their agents: that rs con-
sequence these poor people are left in condi-
ton Of great suffering and helplcssness. from
which there is no hope Of dclivcrance except
by chartcrlng boats especially for the purpose
OF going to their rescue; that the steamboat
companies have been warned by tho planters
that unless they stop carrying the colorcd pco-
pie they will withdraw their patronage; that
twenty i've Loading merchants ut ~. Louis
men engaged IN doing business win ana Tor
planters hero, petitioned the steamhOQt CONF
| puny to soincrcnse the price Of deck passage
! that the negro cmigrants would los un-
able TO pay It, As further means Of
| fOrribly hndering the peoplc from going out Of
| the South. the sherifs Of parishes and counties
have resOrted 10 the issue OF blank writs OF at
! tachmcnt for debt to BE- filled NJ by deputies ut
! the various landings. and served on such OF tho
| negroes ~ might be- found on the hoats; that
10y this process hundreds huve boon cJcHrd
from boats after they had paid their fare 90 ~.
| Louis; that some of the planters or their agents
! have by letter or otherwise threatened to de-
! stroy the steamboats II they did not ceaso cnr-
| rying the emigrants. and rs result Of all this
| mwlcssness and terrorism, the steamboat com
] punio~ are seriously considering the advisable
| ity 81 laying their bOats up for the time heing,
| while thousands Of colored people IRE forced to
| choose between returning To serve men whom
| they regard As oupIe-sors or 10 uhderlko the
| long journey TO 81. Louis ON foot.
Gen. Conway and Mr.. Turner showed lottcrs.
| reports. and kilograms from well-known ana
| Trustworthy persons who bear witness 10 the
truth q their statements.
Mr.. Turner said he had been identified with
| the work 81 relieving the emigrnnls from tho
first arrival in St Louis: that he had tnkcn
great pains TO ascertain all the facts with refer
ence TO the situation down the river. and that hc
| had not the least doubt 81 the truth OF all that
| Gen. Conway had snid.
| tory steps toward chariering ONO liyer boats
y 10 and deliver the amigrnnis who are re-
| fused transportation by the regular lines. and
that threats were freely made that II such boats
| went down the river on such an errand they
would be fired upon and sunk. For this reason
| he said he deemed II n grave public duty 10
| come here and consult with Mr.. Hayes on the
| subject. and ascertain, II possible. whether be
| would approve Of such an Undertaking. also
| whether. In the event Of lawless violent rc-is
iance OF such u lawful business on n public
/ highway OF tho nation. the Government could
! be relied upon To- help rrstain the lawhroakers.
The Fraudulent President said he recognize
this errand To- the capital as a most important
one He was very particular in asccriaiuing
what proofs there We're OF the truth ~ the state
meuts made 10 him. and seemed inclined to be-
lleVe them 80 be true. because OF the letters
kilograms. and report referred 10. He Is re-
ported TO have said that. Judging from the re-
ports OF Government officers and agents. MS
well ~ from other good sources Of iniorma-
ton. he thought the exodus WIS destined To be-
come general. especially from those portions oil
the South where the greatest amount Of pcrsc-
cutlon was inflicted on the negro; that there
would be no need or funds To help tho emtgrHnt.
II the need Of them were but properly mad,
known To the good people OF the country; thai
there could be no question OF the right OF the
negro 10 emgrate whenever he SOW tt 10 do SO
and that this right would and should be main
tanned.
Gen. Conway desired to know definitely
whether Mr.. HAYES approved the proposition {,
20 with chartered boats and deliver the thou
sands on the banks Of the river. Mr.. Haye
said he thought tho step ought 10 be taken "a
ono OF Justice and humanity.
Gen. Conway then asked: suppose the plant
ters or their agents use violent means 10 pre-
vent such nonts from accomplishing their oh
lyri. could the Coy rnment be relied upon Il
| give it, protection -
With considerable shirt and carnostncss Mr.
| Hayes replied: such resistance 10 ltwiu
business carried ON up0n u national highway
such rs the " I~-i~~ip mi would p" rebellion. au.
there would be- no. doubt hut thnt the Govern
mrnt would afford it, protectiou.'
Then replied Gen, Conway, ~ with TIM
most satisfactory assurance. we will undertake
! the work Of delivering our poor follow citizens
VINO are IN bondage OF the river banks"