Year: 1876

Grant, IN the course Of a conversation with a
representative of the Associated Press to-day,
said, IN reply to the question, that he had no


knowledge of a Democratic armed conspiracy
south or west as had been reported. He had
information merely of organized clubs out
side of the State militia, but he was not ap-
prehensive of armed collisions In connection
with the Presidency, no matter what might be
the fears of others. 1t seemed to him that
the people desired only a fair count of the
electoral vote in the southern contested
States In order to be satisfied of the result
The reports of the several committees now
there would shed light on the true condition
of affairs, and have tendency to solve exist
ing difficulties. 1t was certainly desirable to
establish the actual fact Of the election of
either Hayes or Tilden for neither could feel
satisfied ifany doubt remained of his election,
because, in such case, his position as Presi-
dent would not command the requisite gen
eral support. The President remarked
that no one could suppose that he
had any connection with or relation to
q declaration as to who was elected; that
was not matter for him to determine. He
was anxious for the coming of the fourth of
March, when he would gladly give way to his
successor; and freed from official cares, and
before establishing himself at his home In
Galena, Illinois. he purposed making voy-
age TO the West indies, visiting Havana and
other points of interest. He had deferred
his voyage to Europe until June. The Presi-
dent, recurring to the recent election, re-
marked that he should promptly recognize
whoever should be declared his successor;
with this his political feeling would have
nothing to do. It would be recollected that
several years ago, during the gubernatorial
contest In the State of Arkansas, and with
both parties representing their respective
cases at Washin yton, he recognized the Dem
ocrat in preference to the Republican, be-
cause, by legal representation, the former
was entitled to the position. While it was
true that the Presidential term commences,
by law, on the fourth day of March,
it did not necessarily follow that the
President elect should defer taking the oath
Of Office until that time He might take it
immedia tely after the declaration of his cleo
Gon, lat of course he could not commence
the performance of his duties as President
until the fourth of March, the day Of the re-
tirement of his predecessor.


The President intends, In replying to the
F0use resolution calling for information as to
the sending of troops to the south, and the
authority under which he acted, to state that
In all such proceedings he endeavOred to keep



ways, previous to acting, consulted the attor-
ney-general, his legal adviser; that, further
more, the Democratic house Of representa-
tives, during the former session of this con-
gress, has emphatically declared that all citi-
zens of the United States should be equally
protected IN their rights. He further states,
that, In regard to the complaints of his send
ing troops to the south for the purposes men
toned, it would be recollected General Blair
wanted troops sent thither for a different
object, saying in his letter to Colonel Broad
head In June, 1865, that there was but one
way to restore the government and the con-
stitution, and that was for the President elect
to declare the reconstruction acts null and
void, and compel the army to undo the al
legged usurpations at the south and leave the
white people to reOrganlze their own govern
ments." Surely, said the President, if the
army, according to General Blair, could be
used to wipe out governments, it could. in
my opinion, be employed to support them.
The Democratic national convention, after
this letter was written, nominated General
Blair for Vice-President on the ticket with
Governor Seymour. The Republican State
governments at the south had nothing to ex-
pect from the Democrats. Under their rule
all such governments would fade out as in
Mississippi, where General Ames was legally
elected governor, but was warned to vacate
the Office, and is now a fugitive from the
State.


The President seemed pleased with
the action of the British government
in retiring from its position on the
extraditon clause in the treaty of
1842, by surrendering Brent, the Louisville
forger, remarking that the treaty, which was
suspended, is thus revived, and hereafter he
would be prepared to respond to acquisitions
from the British government for fugitive
criminals. The entire correspondence be-
tween the two governments Will be transmit
ted to congress on Wednesday, The Presi-
dent said that the treaty of 1894 with Great
Britain provided only for the extradihon of
persons charged with murder or forgery,
but in the treaty of l842 the number of
offenses was increased 50 as to include piracy,
arson, robbery, or the utterance of forged pa
pers. The number, he thought, would be
still further increased, not, however, TO in
clude desertons from the army or navy.