New-York tribune., 1879-05-26
THE NEGRO TO BE PROTECTED.
An INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT or THE SUB
rpCrr or Nttcp ATTON tn THE WEST
GENERAL PRESS DIsPAICH.I

JECT OF MlOhAIlON ~ lhb MIol'
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCHI
WASHINGTON May 25.-Gcnera Thomas W.
Conway. of New-Jersey, and the Rev. John Turner,
of St. Louis, have Just reached this city, delegated
TO see the President and lay before him the facts
to the present condition Of the cOlored emigrants
along the Mississippi River with the view OF secur
ing such interference on the part of the Govern
ment as might be deemed necessary and proper.
General Conway introduced the object of their
visit by saying that there are now encamped along
the Mississippi, especially between Vicksburg and
Natchez thousands Of emigrants who have money
enough in their hands to pay for their
transportation Northward, but who are turned
away by the steamboat men because
of the terrorism employed over them
by the planters and their agents; and that as con-
sequence these poor people are left in condition of
great suffering and helpessness, from which there
is no hope Of deiverance except by charterng boats
especially for the purpose of going to their
reseue. General Conway further said that
further means of annoyance, the Southern sheriits
have resorted to the issue of blank wrts of at
tocbmenet for debt to be filled up by deputies at
the various landings and served on such Of the
negroes as might be found on the boats that by
this process hundreds have been elected from boats
after they have paid their fare to st. Louis.
General Conway and Mr.. Turner showed to
President letters reports and kilograms from we
known and Trustworthy persons who bear witness
TO the truth of their statements. Mr. Turner has
been identified with the work of relieving the eni-
grants from the first arrival in St. Louis.
The President listened to the gentlemen with the
deepest attention He said that there could be no
ouestion of the right of the negro to emigrate
whenever he saw fit to do so, and that this right
would and should be maintained that the interests
Of the negroes themselves would be best served by
their terlng throughout the Western States in
stead of crowdng into any one of themj and that
ba had no doubt from very extensive information
ON The subject but that all who came from the SOut
Iyonld get good employment west OF the ONO lie
sand also that the exodus would do good, ana Ill
fact had done good already.
General Conway desired 10 know dcInltely
whether the President approved the proposition TO
GO with chartered boats and deliver the thousands
on the banks of the river. L.. II. 4.
The President said he thought the step ought 10
he taken as one of justice and humanity. , :.
General Conway then asked suppose tho
nlanters or their agents use violent means 10 pre-
vent sncb boats from accomplishing their OBJECT,
could the Government be relied upon 10 give us
with considerable spirit and earnestness, the
President replied "Such resistance % IaWiui pus
mess carried on upon National highway snch ~
tbe Mississippi would be rebellion, and there WouId
be no doubt but that the Government would anord
it's protection" ..,., Al,
Then" replied General Conway. with u