Year: 1877

The President, therefore, desires that vor
| should devote your first and principal attentier
| 10 a removal OF the obstacles, to an acknowledu


ment of one Government for the purposes of an
| exercise OF authority within the State and a


representation of the State in its relations to tbf
General Government under Sec of Art. ot
the Constitution of the United States leaying Il
necessary to the judicial or other Constitutional
arbItrament within the State the question of pIti


materight- If these obstacles should prove in
superabie, from whatever reason, and hope of
single Goyernment IN all its Departments be dis
| appointed 1t should be Your next endeayor to
accomplish the recognition of a single Leeisla-
ttre as the depostary of the representative will
| of the people of Louisiana. This great depart-
ment rescued from dispute. the rest Of The
problem could gradually be worked out bv the
prevalent authority which the Legislative power.
when undisputed, is quite competent to exert in
composing f1 conflicts IN coordinate branches of
An attentive consideration of the conditions
under which the Federal Constitution and acts
OF Congress provide or permit military interven-
ton by the President in the protection of the
State against domestic violence has satisfied the
President that the use of this authority in de-
lerfnInlng or influencing disputed elections in a
State is most carefully to be avoided Undoubt
etly, as was held by the Supreme Court in the
case OF Luther Us. Borden, the appeal from the
state may involve such an inquiry as to the law
tulness of authority which invoked the interfer-





the Constitution. But it Is equally true that nei-
ther Constitutional provision nor acts of Congress
were framed with any such design. Both OBJ
vlously treated a case of domestic vio-
fence within a State as of outbreak against the
law and authorityof the established Government
which the State was unable to suppress by its
own strength case wherein every department
OF the State. Government. has a disputed repre-
sentatlon, and State, therefore, which furnish
Is 10 tne federal Government no internal politi-
cal recognition of authority upon which the
Federal Executive can RELY will present a case of
SO much difficulty that it is of pressing impor
lance to all interests in Louisiana that it should
be avoided. single Legislature would greatly
reeye this difficulty, for that department of the
State Government is named by the Constitution
rs the necessary applicant, when it can be con-
vened, for military Intervention by the United
States. If, therefore, the disputing interests can
concur In or be reduced to single Legislature
Tor the State of Louisiana, it would be grand
step IN composing this unhappy strife.


L ne President leaves entirely to the Commits
sion the conciliatory influences which in their
judgment, formed on the spot NAV seem to
them to conduce to the proposed end. His own
determination that only public considerations
should inspire and attend this effort to give as
tendency In Louisiana to things that belong to
peace is evlnced by his selection of Commits
soners who offer TO the country in their own
character every guarantee of public motives and
methods OF transaction which they have under
taken.


Your report of the result of this endeavor will
satisfy the President, he does not doubt. of the
wisdom of his selection and his plenary trust in
the Commission.


second and less important subject of atten-
uon during the visit to New Orleans will be the
collection of accurate and Trustworthy informa-
tlon from public officers and prominent citizens
or all political connections as to the state of
pnbllc feeling and opinion in the community at
large upon general questions which affect the
peaceful and safe exercise in the State of Luui-
slana OF all legal ald o political privileges
upon all citizens. The maintenance and pro-
tecton OF those rights and privileges by all Con-
sttutlonal means, and by every just, moral and
social influence, is the settled purpose of the
President in his administration of the Govern
ment. He will hope to learn from your investi-
cations that this purpose will be aided and not
resisted by the substantial and effective public
opinion of the great body of the people of Loui-
siana. 1859 tf X


The President does not wish to impose any
limit upon your stay In Louisiana, that would
tend to defeat the full objects Of your visit He
is, however, extremely desrous to find it in his
power, at the earliest day compatible with a
safe exercise of that authority, to put an end to
even the appearance of military intervention in
the dom astic affairs of Louisiana, and he awaits
your return with the confident hope that your
report will enable him promptly to execute a
purpose he has 50 much at heart.


The President desires me to add that the pub
Ncaton of the results of your visit he shall hope
to make Immediately after their communication
to him. HFaFs


l have the honor to be, with great respect,
your obedient servant


(Signed) WILLIAM NJ. EvARTs.