Year: 1877

WASHINGTON, April 8.


The following is the Presidents letter
of instructions to the Louisiana Commits
sion: - g --...-- d. g.
To the Hons. Charles B. Lawrence Joseph r.


Hawley, John NJ. Harlan, John G. Brown and


Wayne MacYeigh, Commissioners:


GENTLEMEN am instructed by the President
to lay before you some observations upon the
occasion and objects which have led him to in
yite you, members OF The Commission about
to visit the State of Louisiana, to undertake this
public service. Upon assuming his Office, the
President finds the situation of affairs in Louis
lana such as to Justly demand his prompt and
sohcitous attention, for this situation presents
of its features the apparent Intervention
of the military power of the United States in
the domestic controversies which undoubtedly
divide the opinions and disturb the harmony of
the people of that State. This Intervention,
arising during the term and by authority of his
| predecessor, throws no present duty upon the
President except to examine and determine the
real extent, form and effect to which such inter
ventlon actually exists. and to decide as to the
time, manner and conditions which should be
observed in putting an end to it. - a
1t is to aid In his intelligent and prompt dis
charge of this duty that the President has sought
the service of this Commission to supply, by
means of its examination conducted in the State
of louisiana, some information that may be
pertinent to the circumspection and security of
any measures that he may resolve upon. 1t will
be readily understood that the service required
of and intrusted 10 this Commission does not
clude any examination into or report upon the
facts of the recent State election or of the cam
vass of votes cast at that election So far as at
tentlon to that subject may be necessary, the
President cannot but feel that the reports of the
Commit ttees of the two Houses of Congress, and
other public information at hand, will dispense
with, and should preclude, any original explora-
tlon by the Commission of that field of inquiry.
p But 1t is most pertinent and important. in
coming to decision upon the precise question
of Executive duty before him, that the Presi-
dent should know what are the real impediments
to the regular, legal and peaceful procedures
under the laws and Constitution of the State of
Louisiana by which the anomalies in the Gov
ernnient there presented may be put in course
of settlement without involving the element of
military power as either an agent or make
weight In such solution The successful ascer-
| tainment of these impediments the President
would confidently expect, would indicate to the
people of that State the wisdom and mode of
their removal. xa5


The unusual circumstances which attended
and followed the State election and canvass
from its relation TO the excited feelings and IN
terests of the Presidential election may have re-
tarded within the State of Louisiana the per-
suasive influences by which the great social and
material interests common to the whole people
of a State, ard pride of American character as a
law-abidlng Nation, amehorate disappointments
and dissolve resentments of close and jealous
political contests, but the President both hopes
and believes the great body of people of Loulsi-
ana are now prepared to treat the unsettled re-
suits of their State election with a calm and
conclhatory spirit. Ii 1t DE too much TO expect
/ a complete concurrence IN single Government
Tor tnat State, at leastth President may antici-
pate a submission to the peaceful resources of
the laws and Constitution of the State of all
their alssensions. at once relieving themselves
from reproach and their feilow-eitizens of the
United sStites from the anxieties which must
ever attend a prolonged dispute as to the title
and administration o. the Government of one of
the States OF the Union.