PARISH OF ORLEANS.

A. P. Dumas states, on oath, that he is a citizen of the State of Louisiana, and a duly registered voter; that on the twelfth of September, 1868, at eight o'clock P. M., he illuminated his house—it being the night of the Republican torchlight procession—and placed the portraits of Grant and Colfax in front of his house on the balcony; some white men passed the house, in squads of ten and twenty, at different times before the procession came along, hallooing for "Seymour and Blair," and making insulting remarks, which witness did not wish to answer, as his family and some lady friends were present on the gallery. After the procession had passed, witness took down all the transparencies and pictures, so that his family and friends might not be insulted by these squads of white men; every day since the procession witness has been insulted and threatened by members of the Democratic party; these men pass his house every night and remark, "this is the house (meaning witness's house); we must have the white nigger radical; you (witness) must never put the pictures of Grant and Colfax out on your gallery again, and not illuminate your house again for the nigger procession." On the night of September 22, 1868, witness again illuminated his house and put the pictures of Grant and Colfax on his gallery, believing that he had as good a right to do so as any one else. When he put out said pictures, the Democrats cheered for Seymour and Blair. These white men, who are unknown to deponent, then went into the middle of the street and said: "Look at the picture; we know the place well now; we'll pass it again to-night;" meaning that they would insult or injure him. Witness was all the evening on his balcony; the procession commenced passing his house at about quarter-past ten; the clubs halted in front a few moments and gave him three cheers, and he answered by cheering for "Grant and Colfax," firing off rockets at the same time. The procession passed on very quietly, and at half-past eleven o'clock his house was closed and all the transparencies, etc., taken in; witness was in his parlor with a party of friends, when he heard quite a noise in front of his house, and looking

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through the blinds he saw from fifty to one hundred men standing outside, armed with guns and pistols; they called for witness, but he did not go out; they tried to break into the house, and said they wanted to kill every one in the house; he remained very quiet, and sent a man out by the back gate to bring the police to protect him, but the man found so many men on the street that he could not pass, and returned to the house; the crowd outside threatened to make an attack, and remained about the house until half-past one o'clock, when they left. Some time after a squad of men came back and remarked, "we have a chance to kill him;" witness and the others in the house remained very quiet, and this squad also left. Between eleven and twelve o'clock witness heard a number of shots fired, and people running in every direction; he did not go out, fearing that the Democrats would kill him or burn his house. Since this time many threats have been made against him. On the morning of September 23, 1868, when Mr. Forrest was killed by Guerin, some white men came in front of witness's house with revolvers and guns, pointing their weapons at the house; they had just supplied themselves with these weapons from the gunsmith's near his house. They continued coming all day until nine o'clock P. M. Colored men also came to purchase arms, but the gunsmith refused to sell them any; the white Democrats being there and preventing him. At five o'clock P. M. witness went with Mr. Joubert to the office of the Chief of Police; he related to him all the facts, and the Chief of Police told him, "never mind; all will be right; I will take notice of what you say."

Captain E. Davis states, on oath, that he was marshal of the Col-fax Defenders (a Republican club) on the night of September 22, 1868; as his club was passing the corner of Customhouse street, going down Rampart, between ten and eleven o'clock, P. M., the cry was given to "fall back." He was on horseback and immediately rode up to Canal street, to see what was the matter; when near the corner of Canal and Burgundy streets, he was fired at by a policeman. Witness pursued the man, but he escaped. Witness then rallied all the men from the Republican clubs that he could, and started down Rampart street; when passing between Customhouse and Bienville streets, several shots were fired at the club from a house on the

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south side of the street. Members of the club rushed across to enter the house, but witness prevented them from doing so, and marched them down Rampart to Orleans street, where he met a crowd of police-men and citizens, who told him that some persons were firing from a house on the corner of Rampart and St. Anne streets. Witness went by the house, but the firing had ceased. He then marched his club to their club room and dismissed them.

Louis Coregano states, on oath, that on the night of September 22, 1868, he was a deputy marshal of the "Warmoth Guards" (a Republican club). As they were marching along Canal street, at the corner of Bourbon street, between the hours of ten and eleven o'clock P. M., he saw a white man fire two shots at the club from the gallery of Dumonteil's confectionery; he had heard no shots fired previous to these.

William M. Batchelor and J. B. Cooper state on oath, that they were seated in a Rampart and Dauphine street car at their starting place on Canal street, waiting for the car to start, on the night of September 22, 1868, between ten and eleven o'clock. They saw the clubs passing on Canal street, and supposed without observing closely, that they were Democratic clubs. They saw a man on the balance of Dumonteil's confectionery (corner of Bourbon and Canal streets) fire five shots at the procession, and immediately after several shots were fired from the sidewalk, and from other directions, at the procession, which immediately scattered in every direction; immediately after a Democratic club came cheering and shouting from St. Charles street, and pursued and fired into the other procession.

Previous to this, deponents had been listening to a speech being made by these Democratic clubs at the St. Charles.

Homère Bouthé states, on oath, that on the night of September 22, 1868, he was a deputy marshal of the "Warmoth Guards." When the club was passing the corner of Bourbon street, on Canal, a person standing on the corner in front of Dumonteil's confectionery called out "three cheers for Rollins," which was responded to by the

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clubs by three cheers for "Grant and Colfax." The grand marshal told them to keep quiet; the man ran into Dumonteil's. A policeman told the club that he would have the man arrested. At this time a shot was fired from the gallery of the confectionery. This seemed to be a preconcerted signal, for in a moment the firing became general from the sidewalks and galleries on each side of Canal street. The club dispersed as speedily as possible.

James Gibney states, on oath, that he is a sergeant of police; that on the evening of September 22, 1868, he was on duty, and during the time the Republican clubs were passing out Canal street, he was standing on the corner of Royal and Canal; as the last club was passing the corner of Bourbon, he heard the noise of a disturbance from that quarter, and immediately ran that way. He found several members of the club on the sidewalk. He saw them breaking the windows with their torches. With the aid of other policemen, he cleared the sidewalk. As the members of the club were retreating from under the balcony of Dumonteil's confectionery; a man appeared above the balcony and fired into the procession, and the firing then became general along the street; the clubs immediately dispersed. Witness, with a detail, accompanied them as far as "Congo square," down Rampart street. The members of the clubs went quietly to their homes.

C. C. A. Stevens states, on oath, that he is a policeman, and on the night of September 22, 1868, he was detailed as corporal in charge of a "squad," to accompany a Republican club called "The Grant Incumbibles," for the purpose of preserving order. While they were passing the corner of Bienville and Rampart streets, some three or four shots were fired at the procession; some of the members of the club ran away, and others stood to see what was the cause of the firing. Witness blew his whistle to call together his "squad," for the purpose of keeping the peace. The procession then proceeded down Rampart street, and at the corner of St. Anne street eight shots were fired into the procession from the upper part of the building, occupied as a coffee house. Other shots were fired from a car which was passing; witness followed the car, and called to the driver to stop, but no attention was paid to him; from that time everything was quiet.

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E. Alix states, on oath, that on the night of September 22, 1868, he, with his club (the Warmoth Guards), was passing out Canal street, by the corner of Bourbon, between ten and eleven o'clock. As they were passing Dumonteil's confectionery, a person on the sidewalk commenced cheering loudly for Rollins, a noted colored Democrat, and for Seymour and Blair, to which the members of the club responded, by cheering for Grant and Colfax; a policeman, fearing that this might cause a disturbance, spoke to the man on the sidewalk, admonishing him to be quiet; some of his companions then shoved him into Dumonteil's saloon, and the doors were closed; at this time some persons appeared at the railing of the gallery over-head, and fired into the Club; some members of the Club attempted to enter the saloon, but finding the door closed, broke in the windows; witness endeavored to stop them—at this time shooting had commenced from all directions at the clubs, and the men dispersed and scattered for home.

Julius Lanabère, also a member of the "Warmoth Guards," fully corroborates the above testimony.

Richard Fortune states, on oath, that as a member of the "Pinchback Zouaves," he was in the Republican procession on the night of September 22, 1868; at the time of the commencement of the disturbance on Canal street, he was on Rampart street, near Customhouse; a crowd of white men gathered on the sidewalk, yelling and firing into the procession; shots were also fired from the house on the left hand corner of Rampart and Bienville, going down. After this excitement was over, as witness was standing on the corner of Conti and Tremé streets, a crowd of white men came up, headed by a man named John Henry, who threatened him, and was about to attack him, but the better counsel of his friends prevailed; soon after witness saw another crowd who carried with them a white flag, on which was displayed the words, "No Quarters;" they were all armed with pistols and knives.

A. T. Selover states, on oath, that he was Vice President of the fifth Ward Radical Republican club, during the recent political campaign. On or about the twenty-second of September, 1868, at eight

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o'clock in the evening, he went with his club to the house of the Hon. Octave Belot, on Claiborne street, for the purpose of witnessing a presentation of a flag to his club. After the presentation was over, deponent marched with his club, in company with some other Republicans clubs, through some of the principal streets in the Second District of the city. Every thing went off peaceably and quietly until said clubs reached Canal street, and had passed down said street until the head of the column had passed down Rampart street, for the purpose of quietly dispersing, when suddenly and unexpectedly the rear of the column was fired upon by parties about Dumontel's confectionery, which is located at the corner of Canal and Bourbon streets. Not anticipating any trouble, most of those in the procession were unarm ed, and consequently a stampede was immediately created through out the column, the boys crying out: "we are attacked, we are attacked" The Zouavo Club, just ahead of deponent's, cried out: "rally, boys, rally," and rushed back to the rear of the column to resist the attack. Word came back, "all is quiet, boys, return to your clubs," when immediately a promiscuous attack was made on the entire column, from Bourbon to Basin streets, from banquets and windows, completely breaking up the whole column. At this time Mr. R. L. Shelley was arm in arm with deponent, and they were advised by the boys to "run for their lives." Deponent then crossed over to the south side of Canal street, and while quietly walking on said street a person dressed in light uniform came running furiously behind him, and while passing gave deponent a desperate thrust with a sharp instrument, cutting through his coat, vest and shirt, inflicting a wound on his breast six inches in length. The force of said blow threw his arm in lock with deponent's and in his drawing away from him the instrument inflicted a severe and very dangerous wound across the centre of deponent's arm, just escaping the main artery. After deponent had been cut, the would-be-assassin turned around, looked him in the face, and ran rapidly away. Deponent was advised to go to the hospital and see Dr. Smyth, and ascertain the extent of his wounds; on his way there he met some of his Democratic friends, and showed them his wounds; they remarked that it was "a shameful affair." He also met several of his colored friends, who were much agitated in consequence of being attacked, and having been plundered of their torch lights, banners, flags, musical instruments, and their friends left dead on the streets. Several of his friends advised him to go home, as his life was in danger. After the general ex-

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citement was over deponent heard hackmen making brags how many "niggers" they had cut, at the same time displaying long knives, and saying "that they were not through with the black sons of a—yet." The day after the riot deponent heard some "Dago," remark, as he was passing along, where they were delivering oysters, that "they made the damned niggers fly last night." Deponent heard one say that he "wanted to kill ten more niggers, and would not be satisfied until he did." During this time it was dangerous for a Republican to be seen on the streets, even in the day time. The streets were thronged with men, business paralyzed, parties at every corner secretly consulting, and strangers in passing them would be subjected to the strictest scrutiny. Every man seemed to be armed, and the gun shops were doing the best business in town. The shops were thronged daily with customers buying revolvers, shot guns, and the latest improved rifles. The poor negroes were discharged, and thrown out of employment on account of their politics. The officers of steamboats furnish the colored men with Democratic certificates, giving them protection from their party, and promising employment if they would vote the Democratic ticket. The gun shops refused to sell fire arms to the colored people. A colored man took his revolver to a gunsmith on Dryades street, above Poydras, to be repaired, but was not able to get it back until the riots were over, and then obtained it through the agency of Mr. Henry, a school teacher. This is only one case, however, out of a hundred.

About the last of October deponent, while talking with some friends at the customhouse, saw immediately opposite, in front of a coffeehouse, a fierce looking man with a Spencer rifle in his hand, looking into the coffeehouse in a very suspicious manner; he got into position to fire, but did not. Several police officers were on the corner of Canal street, and although they saw the man's movements, made no effort to arrest him. This man passed up Canal street unmolested by said police officers. Deponent is favorably known by both radicals and Democrats, and was advised by the latter to look out for himself, as he was "spotted;" he was also invited by some of them to come to their houses and live. Some of the leading Republicans were frequently obliged to change their abode, in consequence of having been threatened and attacked. During the late riots, and a few days before the presidential election, bands of armed men, visited Republican club rooms and sacked them of every thing that was of use to

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then in processions, such as banners, etc. The Republicans about this time held a public meeting in "Congo Square," Second District. While Mr. Thomas W. Conway was addressing the meeting, a rough looking man approached the stand, and in a loud and yelling way denounced Mr. Conway and his party as "a set of G-d d-d carpet-baggers, scallawags and robbers," and that "they would catch it soon." Mr. Conway, to avoid trouble called for a police officer and had the fellow taken away, at the same time advising his audience to take no notice of him. When the meeting was about to break up, some colored men came running toward the stand crying out that they were "killing all of their people up on Canal street." Some of the clubs (Republican) were attacked while peaceably parading. Mr. Conway advised the different clubs to keep back of Rampart street as the enemy were in force on Canal street. They did so, but in dispersing, they were attacked, shot at and plundered of their banners, and had to run to save their lives. Dr. Clark and deponent walked up Canal street towards the river and over the ground where the scene had happened; the dead and dying were strown by the way, lamps and oil were scattered in every direction. They saw no negroes; while making this inspection, about fifty men passed us in one squad yelling over their victory, and cursing the d-d negroes and d-d Yankees," at the same time discharging their fire arms at any one that they thought did not belong to their party. This was done in front of General Rousseau's headquarters.

Gabriel Paholy states, on oath, that on the night of September 22, 1868, as a member of the "Pinchback Zouaves" he was in the Republican procession. His club had begun to pass down Rampart street at the time of the commencement of the disturbance at the corner of Canal and Bourbon streets. A crowd of white persons gathered on the sidewalk between Canal and Customhouse streets and commenced yelling and firing into the club; other shots were fired from the houses, and he particularly noticed from a white house on the south side of Rampart street. He proceeded with the club to the corner of Claiborne and St. Ann streets. As he was returning he saw a person on Villere street carrying a white flag, on which was displayed the words "No quarter." Nearly every person whom

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he saw on the streets at this time was hurrying for "Seymour and Blair;" most of them were "Sicilians." He, finding it unsafe to proceed, turned back and remained all night at the house of a friend.

Raphael Santana states, on oath, that on the night of September 22, 1868, he was marching with his club, the "Pinchback Zouaves." As they were passing down Rampart street, between Canal and Customhouse, parties on the banquette fired into the procession. Shots were also fired from the gallery of a brick house, on the corner of Bienville and Rampart. The procession proceeded as quietly as possible down Rampart street, and was again fired into, at the corner of St. Peter. The members of the club, now justly excited, ran to the house, determined to find the assassin, but were dissuaded from carrying out their purpose by the police, who promised to search for him. The club then dispersed.

Octave Rey states, on oath, that on the night of September 22, 1868, he was Grand Marshal of the "Warmoth Guards," and as he, with his club, was passing out Canal street, past the corner of Bourbon, between ten and eleven o'clock, a man standing on the corner, in front of Dumontel's confectionery, apparently very much excited, commenced cheering in a loud manner for "Willis Rollins," a notorious colored Democrat. Witness sent a policeman to quiet him, fearing that owing to the feeling against said Rollins among the members of the club, the men would become excited. The policeman spoke to the man, who immediately went into Dumontel's saloon, and the doors of the saloon were closed. Some excited members of the club ran up on the sidewalk, when he called all the men to fall into the ranks. At this time he heard some person running on the gallery overhead, and looking up saw a man at the railing, who fired a revolver at the club. This was the first shot fired, and apparently directly at him. He then advised all his men to go home. At this time the firing had become rapid, and to avoid exposure, he being on horseback, rode along under the balcony on the sidewalk to Rampart street, but found that the procession was entirely dispersed.

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William R. Mason states, on oath, that on Tuesday night, September 22, 1868, he was standing opposite Dumonteil's confectionery on the corner of Bourbon and Canal streets, at about half-past ten o'clock, looking at the Republican procession. Thinking he saw Captain Rey saluting some person on the gallery of said confectionery he remarked to a friend, who was with him, "What is the matter here? It seems strange that they should salute us from this corner." His friend replied that he did not understand the movement. Immediately afterward a shot was fired at Captain Rey from the said gallery; a shot was returned from the club, and the firing then became general. Upon the springing of the rattles by the policemen, in the vicinity, the clubs immediately dispersed. As witness was proceeding homeward, he passed, on almost every corner, groups of half a dozen or more men who are identified with the Democratic party; at this time they were peaceable though excited.

Pierre Edward states, on oath, that he was in the Republican procession on the night of September 22, 1868; his company was turning from Canal street down Rampart, when the firing commenced on the corner of Bourbon and Canal. That part of the procession then on Rampart street, was immediately fired upon by a crowd on the opposite corner of Canal and Rampart. They halted the procession and the firing ceased. The procession again started down Rampart street, when some persons in a passing car fired again into them; some members of the club tried to overtake the car, but it was driven too fast, and they did not succeed. Witness left the club, and went home, at the corner of St. Louis and Rampart streets.

Baptiste Barrow fully corroborates the above testimony.

James Johnson states, on oath, that on the night of September 22, 1868, he was with his club, the "Pinchback Zouaves," in the Republican procession. As they were passing Dumonteil's confectionery, corner of Bourbon and Canal streets, shots were fired into the procession by persons on the gallery of said saloon. The club proceeded out to Rampart street, down which they turned; they were again fired upon near the corner of Conti; they were also fired upon seven times by white men from a passing car. The club proceeded

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to the corner of Tolouse street, where they were met by the Hon. Messrs. Campbell and Lowell, who pursued them to go quietly to their homes, and avoid any further difficulty.

William Brown fully corroborates the above testimony.

Edward Linderman states, on oath, that about half-past ten o'clock on the night of September 22, 1868, he was standing on the corner of Canal and Carondelet streets in front of Kuntz's confectionery; at this time the Republican procession was passing on the opposite side of Canal street, in front of Dumonteil's saloon; when the last club of the procession had arrived at this point he heard considerable yelling and cheering by white men from the sidewalk for "Seymour and Blair," and also for "Rollins." The men in the procession hissed, which caused considerable excitement; a shot was fired at this moment from the gallery of Dumonteil's confectionery, where a number of white men were congregated; after the first shot was fired, he saw distinctly several more shots fired from the said gallery into the procession; some members of the club then commenced smashing the glass in the windows of the saloon, and this was followed by a general retreat of the procession in that vicinity. Witness crossed over and found a pool of blood on the sidewalk where the affray had commenced, and walking on, he found a colored man lying on Burgundy street, apparently dead; the procession had at this time dispersed, and everything seemed to be quiet.

Charles H. Washington states, on oath, that on the night of September 22, 1868, he was on the corner of Canal and Dryades streets, as the Republican procession was passing on the other side of Canal street; he saw the procession fired into from the brick building on the corner of Dauphine and Canal streets; the Republican clubs fell back to Rampart street, when they were again fired into from the building No. 6 Rampart street; he saw a continuous firing of pistols in front of Christchurch, on Canal street; the members of these clubs ran in all directions; he saw a colored man running from a Bourbon street out to Canal, and upon reaching Burgundy street

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he fell; apparently dead; a crowd of white men started from the corner of Burgundy and Canal, and ran rapidly after the procession to Rampart, firing into the procession continually.

The wounded man referred to above has since died.

Felix Dumonteil states, on oath, that on the evening of September 22, 1868, at about a quarter-past ten o'clock he was walking on Canal street from Claiborne street towards his store on the corner of Bourbon and Canal; he saw a procession coming out Canal street, and soon after heard firing in the direction of said procession, he then ran toward his store; upon reaching it he found the doors on the Canal street side closed; quite a crowd was collected there, mostly of colored people; through the windows he saw his clerks trying to "use the doors on the Bourbon street side, resisted by the people outside. He then went down to the kitchen entrance on Bourbon street, and went in to the assistance of his clerks, and succeeded in closing the door; soon after quiet was restored.

Felix Somali states, on oath, that he is employed as a waiter in Dumonteil's confectionery, corner of Canal and Bourbon streets; that on the night of September 22, 1868, there were several gentlemen and ladies on the gallery of the saloon at the time the disturbance commenced; he was in the kitchen filling an order when he heard the report of pistols, and the noise of the smashing of glass; he ran out upon the gallery to see what was the matter, and found that two men who had been sitting apart from the rest had gone; he immediately turned off the gas in the saloon up stairs, and while thus engaged several men rushed up from below, and one of them ran to the railing of the gallery and fired into the procession, and then ran back down stairs. Witness tried to prevent this man from shooting, and requested him not to go out on the gallery, but did not succeed in his endeavors. All the waiters were then called down stairs to aid in closing the doors. Witness and others did not go, being afraid. Soon after this everything became quiet again. During the whole disturbance he saw no member of the clubs in the saloon.

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John Connor (policeman) states, on oath, that he was at the Central Police Station on the evening of September 22, 1868, at about 10 o'clock, P. M., and news coming in of a disturbance on Canal street, he immediately went down there; upon reaching the corner of Canal and Rampart streets, he saw about thirty-five members of the Republican procession; they appeared very much excited. Witness labored in rain to pacify them, until after the arrival of the Chief with others, when they were prevailed upon to leave for their homes, and promise not to interfere with any body unless they were first interfered with. Witness was detailed with another policeman to go down with them; on the way down Rampart street he was repeatedly told by the members of the Republican club that they did not wish to interfere with, nor molest any one, but that they had been fired upon on Canal street without any cause or provocation. When deponent had reached St. Peter street with the party he was guarding, he heard two shots fired, which seemed to him from the sound to have been fired from the confectionery building on the corner. The colored men got very much excited and made an attack on the said confectionery, doing some damage to the show window; they said they wanted the man that had fired the shots at them. The sergeant and policemen told them that they should have justice done them; they then proceeded on their way quietly. There was no further disturbance.

Philip Montani states, on oath, that he is a citizen of the State of Louisiana, and resides at No. 322 Pricy street, New Orleans. On the night of September, 22, 1868, between ten and eleven o'clock, he was passing Dumonteil's confectionery, corner of Bourbon and Canal streets. He saw a white man come out of said confectionery and cheer for Seymour and Blair, remarking, "Get out, you d—d niggers." A man from the procession stepped up on the sidewalk and was immediately pushed back into the street by said white man. A white man then fired a pistol at the procession from the balcony of the saloon, and the proprietors immediately closed the store. Two more shots were then fired from the gallery; the shots were fired through the blinds on said gallery. The procession proceeded out Canal street to Rampart, and stopped; they were there joined by a party from Dauphiné street, and all proceeded down Rampart street. The procession was again fired upon from a private house

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on the corner of Conti street. Witness could not see who fired the shot. He had no weapon with him. After this he went home.

J. J. Williamson, chief of police in New Orleans, states, on oath, that on the night of September 22, 1868, at about half-past eleven o'clock, he was in the office of the fire alarm and police telegraph, City Hall, receiving reports from different sections of the city and directing the movements of bodies of police, when Mr. Joseph Ellison came in and in an excited manner said, "who is in charge here? I want the general alarm rung on all of the bells." Witness asked him why; he said, "I want the citizens called out to stop and put down the riot." Witness told him that everything was quieted down, and that the colored people had all dispersed for their homes. Mr. Ellison said: "I don't care, I will have the alarm rung and have the people out."

Witness answered him, "we have had enough of riot and bloodshed for once" and although the fire alarm office was not under his control, he would not permit him, or any other person, to ring an alarm from that office that night. Mr. Ellison replied that he did not care for him or his police; he could and would ring an alarm without the use of "that office." Witness told him that his actions were calculated to incite a riot; that if he undertook to carry out his threats, or if he went out of that office with those intentions, he would arrest him, and put him in confinement, let the consequences be what they may. Mr. Ellison at once changed his tone, and remarked that he would go to Generals Rousseau and Buchanan, and left the office.

Aid R. L. Bradley, special officer William Walsh, and operator Adams were present during this interview, and fully corroborate the above testimony.

Joseph Ellison states, on oath, that about noon of September 22, 1868, he was called upon by the chief of police, who desired him to use his influence to prevent Democratic clubs from turning out on that evening. Witness complied by writing a note to the "Frank Blair Guards, Jr.," requesting them not to turn out. The chief stated that he had made arrangements with Mr. Landry, Marshal of the First Ward Club (who were to turn out that evening to serenade Colonel

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Fuller, at the St. Charles Hotel), which, if carried out, would prevent any collision between the different political clubs. Mr. Landry being absent when these clubs started down the street, Mr. Maxwell and witness came down ahead of the clubs to see that the streets were clear, and that no possibility of a collision could take place; they requested Mr. M. Farrell, then on Canal street, to solicit the marshal of any colored club to avoid St. Charles street, for a few minutes, during the time that the Democratic clubs might be at the St. Charles Hotel. Witness also stationed private police officer McIntyre at the corner of St. Charles and Canal streets, with the same instructions, and to promptly advise him, at the St. Charles Hotel, so that he could induce the Democratic clubs to leave the street prior to the approach of the colored clubs. While there he saw the colored clubs passing out Canal street, and soon after received intelligence of a fight on Canal street. He then, with a view of preventing the Democratic clubs from entering into the trouble, ran down St. Charles street to Canal, and out Canal to Carondelet, calling loudly to the First Ward Club to go back. There was no crowd at Dumontel's, on the opposite corner, at this time, but there was rapid firing further out Canal street. He could not distinguish who was doing the firing on account of the darkness. He could find but one man in the Democratic clubs who would acknowledge that he was armed. After this occurrence an excited crowd gathered about the "Clay>tatue," which he endeavored to send home; they demanded that some action should be taken, as people were being butchered in the outskirts of the city. Two gentlemen volunteered to ride down and bring back correct information. On the report of one of them (Deputy Sheriff Dick), about fifteen minutes later, that there was considerable fighting on Esplanade street, witness, accompanied by Mr. Wells, went to the office of the chief of police, and thence to the telegraph office, where, finding said chief (who was receiving a dispatch at the time), asked him what was the news. He stated in reply that there was a devil of a fight in the Third District, and as the police were not sufficient he had sent to General Neil for a company of cavalry. Witness then told the chief that if he could not take care of the people of New Orleans they should be allowed to take care of themselves, and that he ought to ring the alarm bell; his reply was very rough, that no man should touch the alarm, etc., to which witness answered that "if it was necessary to ring the alarm it would be done; that he would ring it himself," and on Williamson's threat to arrest him if he repeated it, he did repeat it, stating at the same

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At this moment a shot was fired at the corner of common and Basin streets, and there was a general rush for that point, but I did not go there. Five men in citizens dress then ran back and deliberately fired as many bullets into the lifeless body and again rejoined the 'Seymour Sentinels,' of whom be it said, none of them participated in this horrible tragedy.

"Twenty or thirty besides myself drew around the spot, when a policeman came up and ordered the crowd to disperse. Then they set upon him, driving him away and taunting him with, 'Where's your Metropolitan's?' 'Where's your Yankee troops?' 'Come back and carry him off.' 'Here's your brother, and such like jeering.

We have another version of the affair near the corner of Canal and Franklin streets.

A policeman stated that "when the Democrats in uniform were passing along on the north side of Canal street, near Franklin, and cheering for Seymour and Blair, a colored man, barefooted and not in uniform, who had just came up Franklin from Customhouse street, stood on the corner and cheered for Grant and Colfax. Men on the opposite side then shouted, 'Kill the black son of a b—h; lets go for him.' Then the colored man in the neutral ground was shot as described.

"The body of the murdered man, whose name is Henry Clay, was conveyed to the Tremé Station and delivered to his friends yesterday. Edward Crosby, another colored man, died at the Marine Hospital this morning of wounds received Saturday evening. Coroner Roche will hold an inquest on Wednesday morning and investigate all the circumstances connected with this most unfortunate tragedy."

Dr. D. Mackay states, on oath, that he is a commissioned surgeon of the Metropolitan Police of this city; that on the night of October 24, 1868, he was called upon to visit a colored man at the First District, main station. He found him severely wounded about the head and face, as if with a hatchet, and a gun shot wound in the right thigh. Deponent ordered the patient to be taken to the Charity Hospital, after he had dressed his wounds. He was lying without any covering in the hall of the station, shivering with cold. This was after eleven o'clock. P. M. Superintendent of Police, J. J.

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Williamson said, "he could not be bothered sending a nigger to the hospital that time of night." The wounded man was a discharged United States soldier. Deponent then had him covered with blankets. The patient remained in the station until morning, when he was removed to his home. Deponent visited him at his home a few hours afterwards and extracted a ball from the upper and back part of his head, which had entered the brain. He died on Monday, October 26, 1868. On Sunday morning, October 25, about two hours after deponent had dressed the wounds of said colored man, there were brought in dead to the main station three (3) colored men and one (1) boy, some of them with four gun shot wounds in their bodies, and their heads and faces severely lacerated. The boy's neck was dislocated and his body covered with contused wounds, as if kicked or stamped upon. Deponent believes he was taken by the heels and swung against a wall or post. On the seventh day of September deponent was called upon to attend a wound-ed (white) police officer, at two o'clock A. M., at the Fourth District station. He had an incision wound between the eighth and ninth ribs, producing internal hemorrhage, which caused his death about five hours afterwards. The officer's name was Butler. He was a member of the Tenth Ward Radical Republican Club. He was stabbed by a man that said, "he would get rid of one d—d radical son of b—h." Deponent visited four (4) other colored men who were suffering from gun shot wounds received on Saturday, October 24, 1868; three of them still have bullets in their bodies. One deponent extracted which had gone clear through the upper part of the left lung, and the man is probably disabled for life. Deponent is known in his district as a Republican, and has been assaulted while quietly walking the streets. He would not vote during the day of election because the same ferocious crowd surrounded the polls who had been the cause of all the troubles in this city that have taken place since the massacre at the Mechanics' Institute, on the thirtieth day of July, 1866. Deponent firmly believes that if the Democratic clubs had supposed that the military would have been used to suppress any violence that they might have committed, no Republicans would have been molested; but, on the contrary, they reckoned on the affiliation of the First United States infantry, under the command of Generals Rousseau and Buchanan. Deponent has repentedly seen colored men insulted and abused by members of

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that regiment. He knows numerous cases where colored men have
been discharged from employment because they were members of
Republican clubs and would not join the Democratic organizations.
Some Captains of vessels and stovedores before employing colored
men, would require from them a certificate from some one of the
presidents of the Democratic ward clubs. The club house of the
Tenth Ward Republican club, of which deponent was president, was
sacked on or about the twenty-seventh day of October, 1868, by a
band of men known as the "Innocents." The man that struck depo-
nent was a member of the Blair Guards.

*Question* (by Mr. Campbell)—State, if you please, all that occurred in an interview between General Rousseau and the Chief of Police and some Democratic citizens of Algiers, with reference to a request of the latter to be allowed to patrol the streets of their town, which interview took place on or about the twenty-eighth day of October, 1868.

*Answer*—I entered the Chief's office at the same time with the citizens referred to and heard the request, made to General Rousseau, that they should be allowed to patrol the city. The General answered, "Well, I can see no objection for any citizen, to do that." I then asked the General "if he meant by any citizen, colored men also;" when one of the Algiers deputation said, "Oh, we would take care of the colored men." The General then said, looking at deponent haughtily, "What need is there for both parties patrolling the city? I do not think this is the proper time to start such a question, and it is just such men as you are that create disturbance." Deponent replied, "General, no one desires peace more than I and my party do; but I would be better protected by a patrol of colored men than by one formed of such men as these," pointing to the deputation from Algiers. Superintendent Williamson then ordered him out of his office, although he was there and spoke merely as a citizen like the rest present. Deponent further states, that out of all the colored men that were killed and wounded on the night of the twenty-fourth of October, 1868, not one of them were armed. Deponent repeatedly heard Democrats while in the cars, and who knew him to be a Republican, threaten his life and other "white niggors," as they called the prominent Republicans; furthermore, he firmly believes that if General Mower, with his few colored troops had been brought over to this city from Ship Island, no disturbance whatever would have arisen from political causes.

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William Richardson states, on oath, that on Saturday evening, October 24, 1868, while he was with his club passing the corner of Baronne and Canal streets, a shot was fired from the window of a house on the southeast corner of said street; a second shot was fired from the sidewalk by a white man, the firing then became general and the members of the club scattered and ran.

William Lewis states, on oath, that on Saturday night, October 24, 1868, he was with his club, First Ward Club; they were quietly marching along Canal street, past the corner of Baronne, when firing commenced from the building occupied by the "Constitution Club." The firing was so heavy that he ran away to the corner of Erato and Bacchus streets; here he, with some others, met a Democratic club coming down Bacchus street; members of this club commenced chasing them and yelling, "Kill the d—d scalawags." He managed to escape in safety.

Emile Oliver states, on oath, that he is a citizen of Louisiana; that on the night of October 24, 1868, between the hours of ten and eleven o'clock, a colored man named Alfred Garner came to his house, No. 359 Camp street, and said to him, "Oliver, I'm shot;" witness examined him, and found that he was shot in the breast; he asked him who shot him; he answered, "I was shot at the corner of Erato and Camp streets, coming home, when some unknown white men came along and shot me." He got into witness' bed, and in half an hour he died. Mr. Garner was a member of the Grant Guards, and was out parading with the club; he was a true Republican.

Peter Joseph states, on oath, that on Saturday evening, about eight or nine o'clock, October 24, 1868, he was passing on Josephine street, near the corner of Fulton; the Working Men's Democratic Club was passing down Josephine street toward Magazine street; at the corner of Annunciation street, some member of the club fired a shot at some colored people who were quietly standing on the sidewalk. Witness afterwards reported at the Rousseau street police

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station, and received orders to call in his men, as there was a riot on Canal street. He met two men in the uniform of the above named club, and heard one of them remark, "I'll bet you that the radicals will be short of some voters to-morrow morning." Witness continued his course to the corner of Dryades street, where he saw two colored men wounded. One James Williams, who was shot in the head, has since died. He afterwards heard a call whistle, and running in the direction he found near the corner of St. Mary and Religious streets, officer Kline lying with his throat and leg cut, and officer Wolfram badly beaten. There were two caps belonging to members of the "Working Men's Club" lying in the vicinity; he did not succeed in ascertaining who were the perpetrators of this outrage. On Sunday morning, October 25, 1868, he, with Corporal Kline, of the Metropolitan Police force, were threatened and abused by armed white men at the Jackson street ferry landing; they were six in number; two of them came into the street and drew their revolvers; one of them leveled his at witness and Kline, saying: "Shall I shoot the son-of-a-b—h?" The other said, "Let him off;" the former replied, "I want to try it on a Metropolitan policeman, any way," but he did not fire. As witness and Kline, soon after, were passing the station, these men commenced to abuse them by saying, "You half white sons-of-b—s, and all you Metropolitan Police." On Monday, October 26, 1868, a colored woman notified witness that she overheard some white men say in a grocery on Jackson street, "We will have to go for that half white son-of-a-b—h that lives on Philip street (meaning witness); he's on the Metropolitan police; we'll get a sly crack at him." On the following day, about noon, a squad of about thirty white men, armed with shot guns, revolvers, etc., came to the corner in search of witness, but not finding his house went away.

Simon Jones states, on oath, that on or about the twenty-fourth day of October, 1868, as he was coming out of the post office he heard a party of men who were there congregated, remark: "There goes that d—d radical son-of-a-b—; let's make a row with him and kill him." To avoid the crowd, witness went into the private office of the deputy postmaster; a few minutes afterward a man came into the office and said that on a previous occasion he had asked

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Charles Smith and witness whether they would allow their daughters or sisters to marry a "a nigger," and that they had replied in the affirmative; witness then replied that it was untrue, an' that he would leave the matter with Charles Smith to settle; this man then said that he had said so, and that he was "a d—d nigger lovin' son of a b—h, and ought to be killed." Witness then seeing that the excitement was increasing in the street, went up stairs into the Custom House, and from there he went to his room. Having heard that one Winn Rogers had laid a plot to assassinate him at 1 o'clock that night, he remained at the house of a friend; when he returned to the house a few days afterward, the ladies of the house told him that a party came there the first night that he was away, and swore that they would shoot him; they did not, however, make any attempt to enter the house. They came again on the following night at about 12 o'clock, and swore they would "go through the house, ladies and all, if witness was not produced; that they had sufficient men to do the work, and his blood should be spilled that night." At about this time Walter Rogers, brother of this man, Winn Rogers, came to the door of his house, on the opposite side of the street, and called his brother in; no further demonstration was made after that. Witness has been told that it was unsafe for him to go about that locality, as they were fully determined to murder him.

Engene Stares states, on oath, that on Monday, October 26, 1868, during the night a body of armed men came to his house, corner of Claiborne and St. Philip streets; they attempted to break open the door, threatening to kill him, but were prevented from doing so by some more quiet members of the party; they, however, left, threatening to return and kill him if they caught him. They returned the following night, and again attempted to break into the house, but were prevented by some parties unknown to witness. They have since called for him, but he, with his family, have remained away from home at night.

Edward Giff states, on oath, that on the morning of October 26, 1868, about 2 o'clock, he was standing on the corner of Tulouse and Rampart streets, as a night watchman, when seven white men

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came to the opposite corner and called to him and another policeman named Nicholls, who was with him, to halt, and then asked them who they were. At this time these men discovered that they were policemen, and one of them, who was on horseback, called out to the others to "come on, now we have got them," and one of them fired at policeman Nicholls, and the man on horseback fired at witness. Witness then ran for his life, they continuing to fire at him. He turned and fired one shot at them. He succeeded in escaping to the station house, and found that Nicholls had been wounded by one of the shots fired at them by the aforesaid party (which consisted of seven men on foot and one on horse back). Witness took Nicholls home and remained with him until morning.

J. Lanabère states, on oath, that on Monday morning, October 26, 1868, some time before 4 o'clock, about twenty unknown white men came to his coffee house, corner of St. Peter and Basin streets, broke into the house, destroyed the billiard table and all the furniture, and took in cash about one thousand dollars; also three gold watches and his books, besides other property. The Sicilians had previously threatened to kill the owner of the house "and every d-d nigger in it." The bar-keeper told them that they could him kill if they wanted to do so. They replied, "never mind, we will come back another time." These men came around the house every day, using bad language and abusing the colored people. On October 27, 1868, a number of these men were standing on the corner in front of his coffee house with pistols in their hands, not allowing any person to approach the bar-room. Mr. Gustave Arnheim, his bar-keeper, was coming at the time, and these men shot at him three times, preventing him from coming to the house. Witness knows of no reason for this persecution. He is a captain in the "Warmoth Guards."

James Wilson states, on oath, that on Monday evening, October 26, 1868, a number of white men, twenty or thirty, many of whom wore the uniforms of Democratic clubs, some with red caps, white capes and black pants, came rushing into the house where he lives, corner of Triton Walk and Dryades street, and called loudly "Where is the d-d son of b-b who fired that pistol at us?"

Witness said he did not know of a shot having been fired. They held him and searched his room for arms, saying, if they found any weapons they would kill him on the spot; they found no weapons, but found and took his watch and coat, a box of carpenter's tools, and a pocket book containing about ten dollars; they also took from his wife's hand her pocket book, containing about nine dollars and a half. Witness is now without house or home, and is afraid to go back to get his bed and bedding, as parties lurking around there say they will shoot him if he shows himself.

Celestin Oliver states, on oath, that on Monday morning, October 26, 1868, about one o'clock, a party of about forty armed white men, came into his neighborhood, near the corner of Franklin and St. Philip streets, and inquired of a lady named Mrs. Bryan, where he lived, and offered her twenty-five dollars to tell them; she told them that she did not know any such person, fearing that they would kill him. On Wednesday evening, October 28, as he was going home he was met by a young colored boy, who told him not to go home, as he had heard a party of white men say that they "wanted to put his light out," because he had been a captain in one of the colored clubs; he remained away from home for five nights until the excitement was over.

Richard Johnson states, on oath, that on the twenty-sixth day of October, 1868, at nine o'clock, a party of about forty white men came to his house, No. 197 Franklin street, all armed with shot guns, revolvers, etc. They knocked at the door and ordered him to open it, which he did; one of them demanded weapons from him; he told them he had none; they said he was a d-d liar, and asked if there were any more men in the house; he told them there were four, when six of these white men went to them and demanded their arms, but they did not have any. They then searched the house and took the registration certificates away from two of the men in the house. They told all of the men in the house that if they went to the polls to vote they would kill them. They also threatened to kill witness on the spot if he did not give them his certificate of registration, at the same time presenting a pistol to his head and

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drawing a knife on him. Witness told them that they would have to kill him, as he did not have any. They then left, ordering him to put out the lights after they got away.

William Nicholl states, on oath, that on the night of October 26, 1868, he was on duty as a policeman, on the corner of Toulouse and Rampart streets; a party of white men appeared on the opposite corner, and fired several shots at him, one of which took effect in his back, where it still remains. Their intention evidently was to kill him, but he succeeded in making his escape to the station house. Another policeman, named "Gift," was also fired upon about the same time and in the same vicinity; he, however, escaped unhurt.

John G. Seldon states, on oath, that he is a citizen of the State of Louisiana; that on the twenty-sixth day of October, 1868, between three and four o'clock, P. M., he was at the corner of Toulouse and Burgundy streets, in the presence of L. D. Larene and A. Dourd, when one Alphonse Picou came up to him without any provocation, and presented a pistol to his face, asking him if he was armed; he answered "no;" Picou then said that he was a Democrat; that he was hunting Belot and all the leading men of the Republican party; witness answered that he was a Republican, and fully determined to sustain it; he then left him; an hour afterward, when in company with his daughter, he met the same man, A. Picou, on the corner of Claiborne and St. Ann streets; he saw the said Alphonse Picou draw a revolver from his pocket and shoot a colored man, who then ran away; witness then went away with his daughter to avoid the difficulty. On the twenty-eighth day of October, 1868, about eleven o'clock P. M., some twenty unknown white men attempted to break open his door, saying, "this is John G. Seldon's house, the leader of the Republican party;" some one of them remarked that he was a Creole, "let him be; we will see him after awhile;" these men then went away.

Augustin Maurice states, on oath, that on Monday evening, October 26, 1868, he saw a party of white men break into the Eighth Ward Republican Club room, from which they took a banner and an American flag; the party numbered about one hundred men, and were

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armed with shot guns and revolvers. They destroyed all the furniture and transparencies, and everything that was in the room. These men called themselves "wide-awakes;" they said they would kill all the officers of the said club before the week was out. On Tuesday, October 27, 1868, from about eleven o'clock P. M., until four o'clock the following morning, about fifty white men surrounded witness' house, armed with guns, pistols, etc.; they knocked at his door but he did not answer; they concluded he was not in, and said that they would wait for him; they, however, left finally, and went to his neighbor's (Mr. Foucher), broke into his house, broke his furniture, and took away clothing and about ninety dollars in money; they left, saying that they were going to burn the colored church on Poet street.

William Murrel states, on oath, that on Monday night, October 26, 1868, he attended the meeting of the "Guiding Star Benevolent Association" on Terpsichore street, between Carondelet and St. Charles streets; while there about twenty "Innocent's" (a noted Democratic club) in uniform broke into the room and drove all from it, and threatened to kill the ladies who were there unless they should show where the arms were concealed; the ladies informed them that there were no arms in the place. They destroyed a United States flag, and took sixty dollars from the colored woman who resided in the house, and took away and destroyed all her furniture and everything she possessed. They also broke into the Second Ward Republican Club room, and destroyed whatever they could lay their hands on; they also broke into a barber shop, belonging to a colored man named Stephen Strange. They shot at every colored man whom they met, and by mistake shot and killed one of their own men, supposing him to be a colored man. On the following morning he saw these same men displaying the trophies (money and other articles of value) which they had taken from the colored people the night previous, and boasting of what they had done.

John Little states, on oath, that on the night of October 26, 1868, a party of about one hundred armed white men came to his house and demanded to know if the body of the colored man named James Williams (who was killed on the night of October 24, in the riot on

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Canal street), was in the house; if it was, they would burn the "d—d son of a b—h," and that they would not permit the body to be buried. Witness is afraid to stay in the house at night, as this crowd of men (all of whom he believes are armed) said they wanted to get him, and he is afraid they would kill him if he remained.

P. M. Williams states, on oath, that he resides at No. 300 Gravier street; that on the nights of October 26 and 27, 1868, a body of armed men, some of whom were mounted, came to his house and demanded admittance. The gentleman of the house told them that he would not open the door. They then broke open the door, and one of them said "strike a light boys, we will get that d—d son of a b—h that spoke to us from the gallery." After obtaining a light they went up stairs and commenced breaking open trunks, armoirs, bureaus, etc., and taking the contents—two hundred and twenty-five dollars in greenbacks, eighty dollars in city money, three hundred and nineteen dollars in bonds, also watches, jewelry, chains, etc., and all the valuables that could be carried away, and breaking the crockery, glassware and other valuable property that was in the trunks, belonging to different individuals. They broke the furniture, took the bedding from the beds, and placed everything in confusion. They opened a closet and took liquor and cigars and everything that they could use. They destroyed and carried away property to the amount of twelve hundred dollars, national currency.

Captain Eugene Staes states, on oath, that he is a citizen of the State of Louisiana, and minute clerk of the House of Representatives.

*Question*.—By Mr. Campbell.—Captain, please state all that was said in any conversation between yourself and General Rousseau on or about the twenty-seventh day of October, 1868, when you applied to him for protection, in company with Mr. William Vigers, chief clerk of the House of Representatives?

*Answer*.—On or about the twenty-seventh day of October, 1868, I went, in company with Mr. William Vigers, chief clerk of the House of Representatives, to the headquarters of General Rousseau, to demand protection, my home having been attacked, and my life threatened the night before by a band of men who were, to the best

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of my knowledge and belief, white Democrats. The General said "he was willing to extend protection to any one, but could not detail his troops on guard to every one that came and asked of him protection, but would do all he could to keep quiet in the city, and that it would take twenty thousand men to do that." Upon stating to the General what position Mr. Vigers and myself held, he said "it was probably on that account that we were the object of the hatred of the opposing party," and added, "that the State officials were obnoxious to the people, and if they were to resign their positions, that quiet would be restored immediately; that in the present excited condition of affairs he was unwilling to have his men killed for the purpose of maintaining in position men who were obnoxious to the people." The same night of the interview a band of men came to my house for the purpose of destroying it, to the best of my belief, as threats had been made to that effect, but they were prevented by some one, I do not know who.

Captain William Vigers, chief clerk of the House of Representatives, being duly sworn, corroborates the foregoing statement of Captain Eugene Staes, and also states that his house was entered on or about the night of October 27, 1868, or the morning of October 28, 1868, by a party or parties unknown, while he and his family were absent, who destroyed furniture to the amount of seventy-five dollars.

On account of threats offered, deponent absented himself from his home for the space of fifteen days, not thinking his life would be safe if he should return during that time.

The following appears in the Republican, of October 27, 1868:

"On Friday evening last a large number of Democratic citizens waited on Mayor Conway, at his residence, and urged him to appoint an entirely new police force, including the Chief, and to disregard the Metropolitan District Police law. Mr. Conway was disinclined to act upon their suggestions, and gave them his views of the effect of such a movement on the prospects of the Democratic party at the North.

"His constituents were not satisfied with his reasoning, and told him, in substance, that they would give him until five o'clock Saturday evening to consider the matter, declaring that if he would not act

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they would take the matter into their own hands. On Saturday evening others of the same citizens visited the Mayor at his residence, but it is not believed that they succeeded in persuading Mr. Conway that it was prudent to disregard a State law.

"Last evening delegations from Democratic clubs, many of the men armed with muskets, estimated by one of the morning papers to number six hundred in all, patrolled the streets, and at length approached the City Hall.

"They marched up St. Charles and Carondelet streets in detachments of from twenty to fifty; some of the squads halting at Hawkins' Branch and at Cassidy's to fortify their courage with old Bourbon or other stimulants.

"They gathered in front of the City Hall, and success seemed about to crown their movements until Major Keeler or Captain De Russy appeared, and accompanied Sheriff Maxwell to the Mayor's parlor, where a number of citizens had assembled, offering assistance.

"It being considered certain that the military authorities would sustain the Superintendent of Police, and order the self-constituted guardians of the peace to disperse, prominent Democrats were called upon or volunteered to address the assemblage.

"The Mayor was not convinced of the necessity of establishing a citizen's police, and could not be won over to its support.

"The first to address the multitude of armed citizens from the front of the City Hall was General Steedman, who, according to the Times, spoke as follows:

"To-day has been one of excitement. In obedience to the call of the Mayor, six hundred men have reported here for duty. The Mayor says there will be no need for your services here to-night; I therefore advise you to go quietly to your homes. He has been advised that the Chief Executive of the State had informed General Rousseau that he was willing to turn over his authority to the military commander. General Rousseau had refused to receive it. The Democracy were a people of law and order. If the party in power could not run the machine, let them get off of it—let them turn the power over to the people to whom it rightfully belongs.

"Go now quietly to your homes, with the assurance that good news is in store for you, for I have intelligence that Horatio Seymour now is on the stump, and is producing among the people of the

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North great changes. The American eagle will yet overshadow this land; the Goddess of Freedom will kneel and not beg in vain for human rights. I beg, then, of you, as men engaged in the great struggle for human rights, to go now to your homes.

"Mayor Conway, being called upon, said that he was ready to endorse every word that had fallen from the lips of General Steedman. He believed that General Rousseau was doing everything in his power to show himself the friend of the city. He begged the crowd, as peaceable citizens, to disperse and go peaceably to their homes."

General Harry T. Hays next spoke thus, according to the same report:

"I came here to say to-night that if your liberties were imperiled, I would be the first to shoulder a musket. I wish to give you some advice as one of you—as one of the poorest of you: I went to the Chief of Police to find out precisely how the police stands, and I tell you that the Chief of Police has bearded the commissioners, and told them that while they were sitting that they should not put a negro policeman on duty. This much praise is his due. At the time he spoke there was not one negro policeman on duty."

He gave them, in conclusion, the same advice as that given by preceding speakers.

Senator Ogden was the next speaker, and said:

"I have no praises (referring to an interruption) to give to any but the citizens of New Orleans. I am proud to have been born a citizen of the place; and I tell you, gentlemen, that we have stood on the brink of a volcano—one of the greatest political convulsions that the world has ever witnessed. It is the cause of law and order, the cause of our wives and sisters, that has united us to-night. All that we now ask is that their lives and our property shall be protected. When, therefore, the chief executive comes to you and begs you to disperse, will you not hearken to his appeal? Will you not go, like good citizens, to your homes? When the Governor of this State comes to you and tells you that he cannot control the storm he has raised—that the dissensions which he has occasioned have sprung into armed men, General Rousseau did right to refuse to shoulder his responsibility. This action of General Rousseau it is now the

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duty of the people to sustain. The speaker begged his audience to retire quietly and be contented with the present situation."

Sheriff Maxwell also addressed the armed people and advised them to retire from the scene and go to their quiet homes. When these speeches were ended some of the club delegations left, but not all. The Mayor went over to the office of the Superintendent of Police, and between these officials there became a good understanding. After the Mayor's return to his parlor, there being still quite a crowd remaining in front of the city hall, Lieutenant Spaulding appeared in uniform, and informed the people that it was his duty, in obedience to military orders, to request them to disperse. His request was heeded without much delay, as he appeared to be backed up by soldiers to enforce any orders he might be compelled to execute.

W. B. Gray states, on oath, that on Tuesday, October 27, 1868, between the hours of eleven and twelve o'clock P. M., he was aroused by some unknown persons knocking at his door. He got out of bed and opened the door, and saw about twenty-five men armed with shot guns, pistols, etc. One of these men, designated by his companions as "Major," asked him if his name was Gray. He answered yes. These men then asked him if he was marshal of any "nigger club." He answered that he had been a marshal of a Republican club. Several of these men then remarked, "You are the very G-d d-d radical son of a b-h," and told him to "come out there." He remonstrated with them. The Major told them to wait until he asked some questions. He then asked witness if he had any arms. He answered that he had a revolver. He then asked if he knew "where any other leading nigger radicals lived like himself." Witness was afraid to tell them, fearing that they would go and kill them; he answered "No." They then asked him if the niggers had any arms. He answered that he did not know. Afterwards these men took hold of witness and pulled him into the street. He was in his night shirt. Some of them said, "Let us shoot him." Others said, "Let us hang him to the lamp post." The Major said, "If we make too much noise, all these niggers back of town will come out and make it too hot for us; we are too far from the rest of our men to do this; we will let it go until another time; but we must have his arms." The Major then commanded witness to £60 into the house with them to deliver his re-

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volver. Several of them followed him into his room, where his wife and children were. His pistol was lying on the table near his bed. They seeing it said, "G-d d-n you, give us that pistol!" at the same time several pistols were presented to his head. He gave them his pistol, thinking it was the best. They then went into his parlor and broke some furniture and crockery. They then left his house saying, "We will come again for you, you d-d nigger son of a b-h!" They then crossed the street to a house where Mr. Payne lived (formerly a candidate for Representative for that district). They demanded of Mr. Payne his arms. Witness was informed that these men were coming to pay him another visit, and, believing that they would come and kill him, he moved his family away. He was informed that these men came to his house the following night, but found that he had left.

Noah Douglas states, on oath, that he was shot at on Orleans street by a party of white men on Tuesday, October 21, 1868.

Hon. D. Douglas, late a member of the Constitutional Convention, states, on oath, that on Tuesday, October 27, 1868, between the hours of twelve and two at night, he was passing down Rampart street, accompanied by a friend. Arriving at the corner of St. Ann street they were attacked by a party of white men, who said, "There are some of Warmoth's thieves!" These men followed them and shot his friend, who fell, and witness was compelled to fly for his life.

Napoleon Richardson states, on oath, that on the night of October 27, 1868, a white man named Flanders Clark came to his house, No. 110 Prytania street, and broke open the door. He was accompanied by six other armed white men. They demanded his guns. He told them he had none. They then searched the house, but found none.

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Edward Mead states, on oath, that he is a citizen of Louisiana; that on Tuesday, October 27, 1868, between the hours of eleven and twelve o'clock at night, a body of armed white men came to his house, on First street, between Liberty and Franklin, and finding him up in the loft, called out to him to come down, and wanted to know what he was doing up there. He told them that he heard them coming and went up there to hide, as he was afraid of them. The leader of the gang then wanted to know if he had any fire arms. Witness answered that he had a gun. The leader said, "Then give it up to me, as the cavalry are coming." The gang then took witness' gun from his bedroom, his pocket book (containing six dollars and thirty-five cents, all the money he had in the world for his daily support), from under his pillow, and said, "Give up your fire arms and we will not hurt you, but if you don't we will kill you."

John Campbell states, on oath, that on Tuesday night, October 27, 1868, he saw a crowd of white men standing on the corner of Third and St. Patrick streets, at about twelve o'clock. They went to his house and broke in and searched for him, for the purpose of killing him; they did not succeed, however, in finding him. They broke into the Eleventh Ward Republican Club room, and destroyed the United States flag and all the furniture in the room.

Charles Grandpre states, on oath, that on the twenty-seventh day of October, 1868, at about seven or eight o'clock in the evening, as he was standing in the cigar store, at the corner of Orleans and Rampart streets, he saw a party of white men shooting and creating a disturbance; he shut his door and kept very quiet, fearing an attack; the same thing occurred again at about nine o'clock; he afterward heard that some colored men were shot. On Saturday, October 24, 1868, while the Democratic procession was passing his place, some party fired into his store.

Reuben Johnson states, on oath, that on Tuesday night, between eleven and twelve o'clock, October 27, 1868, a party of white men, one of whom had a large knife in his hand, came to his residence and

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searched the house-- as they pretended--for weapons; they ransacked the house generally, and took from him a double barreled shot gun; they opened all the drawers and upset everything in the house; they afterward entered the house of a neighbor.

Charles Collins, states on oath, that he resides at No. 63 Franklin street; that on Tuesday, October 27, 1868, at about 9 o'clock, P. M. a crowd of white men entered his house and stabbed him in the back and shoulter with a bowie knife; they asked him if he had any arms concealed in the house; he told them that he had none; they searched the house for arms; not finding anything, they left without committing any further outrage.

Alfred Taylor (colored) states, on oath, that on the night of October 27, 1868, a party of ten or more white men entered his residence on Calliope street, between Baronne and Carondelet, and took forcible possession of his registration certificate.

Warwick King (colored) states, on oath, that on the same night aforesaid, a party of twelve or more white men, entered his residence, No. 153 Calliope street, and robbed him of his registration certificate, a pistol and a hatchet.

Robert Jones (colored) states, on oath, that on the same night, a party of about eight white men came to his residence, No. 207 Calliope street, and took from him his certificate of registration.

William C. Brewer states, on oath, that on the twenty-eighth day of October, 1868, at about two or three o'clock, P. M., he was on Roman street, and saw a crowd of white men running toward Prieur and St. Ann streets; he inquired what was the matter, and learned that these white men had tied a colored man up as a target and shot at him; they killed said colored man, and pursued others to treat them similarly. Witness was compelled to leave his house with his family, as threats had been made against his life.

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J. P. Martin states, on oath, that on the twenty-eighth day of October, 1868, he was at the corner of Urquhart and Mandeville streets, between the hours of eleven and twelve P. M. He saw a crowd of about fifty white men on the corner headed by a man named "Jacobs," they went to a house on Spain street, belonging to a man named "Antoine." They broke the furniture and everything in the house, Mr. Antoine and his family being absent at the time; having been threatened, they had left to save their lives. These men took from Mr. Antoine's house about eighty-five dollars ($85), and afterward broke into the house adjacent and took therefrom a considerable amount of clothing.

Benjamin Scott, states on oath, that on Thursday evening, October 29, 1868, about four or five o'clock, a crowd of about twenty white men were congregated at the corner of Conti and Marais streets; they were in pursuit of Mr. Wickliffe, the Auditor of the State, to kill him, but it being daylight, they did not attack. The people living in the house did not dare to remain there during the night. Witness has also been compelled to move from fear of being murdered.

J. P. Martin, states on oath, that on Thursday, October 29, 1868, at about eleven o'clock, P. M., a Democratic club called the "Wide Awakes," broke into the hall of the "Young Friends' Association," and broke the benches and all other furniture and articles in that place; they pretended to be in search of arms. On Monday, October 26, witness saw a band of white men, armed with guns and pistols, parading the streets of the Third District.

Henry L. Tanzin, states on oath, that he is clerk of the Board of Supervisors of Registration of the Fifth Ward; that owing to threats of violence, he was compelled to suspend his work on Thursday and Friday, October 29 and 30, 1868. The Chairman of the Board was assaulted at his own residence on the night of the thirtieth, and has been compelled to leave the city for safety.

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Peter Johnson (colored) states, on oath, that on the night of October 30, 1868, at about half-past nine o'clock, three white men came to his house, and ordered him to let them in, or they would break in the door. He opened the door, and they demanded of him his registration certificate, and those of the two other colored men who were with him. Witness told these men that their papers had already been taken away by the Democrats, whereupon they left, saying "we can get nothing here, let us go somewhere else."

The Times of Friday, October 30, 1868, has the following account:

"The Second District yesterday morning was, comparatively speaking, quiet. The station and court building were guarded during the night by fifty soldiers. Two places were entered by bodies of armed men, and the contents of the buildings more or less injured. Economy Hall, on Ursuline street, between Villeré and Robinson streets, was sacked. It was at one time a registration office, and is a place of great resort for negroes residing in the faubourg Trémé.

"The origin of the unfortunate difficulty of Tuesday noon is yet an inexplicable mystery, and would probably require days of searching investigation to ascertain all the particulars. The following are those known to be killed or wounded:

"Joseph Punch, colored, residing at the corner of St. Anthony street and the Mexican Gulf Railway, was wounded at No. 255 Dauphin street, it is thought dangerously, and sent to the Charity Hospital.

"A colored man, stabbed and killed at the corner of St. Ann and Bourbon streets. His body was taken to the Second District Station, afterward sent to the graveyard. The colored man, George Allen, wounded on Crossman street Tuesday morning, has since died.

"Deputy Coroner Espinola, we hear, has held an inquest on the body of a colored man, unknown, found dead a few squares from the Laharpe street station house, Third District.

"Mr. Sanches, who was shot in the left side going home Monday night, we hear, is doing well.

"The police report a colored man wounded at the corner of St. Ann and Derbigny streets.

"The lower portion of the city was patrolled Tuesday night by

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the citizens. They report everything quiet in the Seventh and
Eighth Wards.

"The colored man found dead at the corner of St. Ann and Rampart streets was taken to Trémé station.

"Accounts were brought to the station of one or two political assaults made in the rear portion of the city, and of houses being broken open and entered. About midnight a half dozen shots were fired out on Johnson street, between New Basin and Common streets, and two other shots were fired in the same quarter some time after. Shots were fired in the neighborhood of Claiborne Market, and a good many on Common street, about daybreak.

"A man by the name of Nugent, who is said to have made himself unpopular with laborers, is reported to have been chased and fired at.

"About ten o'clock Tuesday night a party of about a dozen men entered the club room of the "First Ward Grant and Colfax Club," on Terpsichore street, between St. Charles and Carondelet. No persons but women and children were in the place, and they were not molested; but the flags, uniforms, caps, lamps and other paraphernalia of the club were carried off, except what was destroyed and thrown in the streets. During the time occupied in 'cleaning out' the establishment, sentinels were posted at the street corners, and all passers halted.

"So quietly was the affair conducted that many residents in the immediate vicinity were not aroused from their slumber. On one or two shots were fired near the corner of Terpsichore, on St. Charles street, but we cannot learn that any one was injured."

The following paragraph appeared in the New Orleans Bee, in connection with the state of lawlessness in the Second District:

"At twelve o'clock yesterday a negro was shot in the head and killed at the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann streets, and another was subsequently found dead at the corner of St. Ann and Rampart streets. They are reported by the police to have been killed by some of the armed men going through the streets. A third negro was killed near the house 225 Dauphin street."

POLICE REPORTS.—George Allen, colored, was shot on Crossman street yesterday.

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The following appeared in the New Orleans Bee, of October 31, 1868:

"There was a large meeting of the 'Innocent' club last night at their hall on Orleans street, where General Rousseau appeared and addressed them in acknowledgment of the serenade tendered to him at his headquarters, which happened he said, while he was absent. He spoke but briefly, giving them good advice, which was received with the heartiest applause, and will no doubt be faithfully observed. He said that he was satisfied that offenses of which they were not guilty had been charged upon them, that they did not look like men who were either cruel or ferocious, and hoped that no more disturbances would occur, and that all persons entitled to vote would be allowed and encouraged to do so."

Joseph Neele colored, states, on oath, that he is employed on the ferry boat called the "Belle Lee," commanded by Captain Wiley. On the thirty-first day of October, 1868, said Captain Wiley came up to him and said "Joe, mind what I tell you, if you vote the Republican ticket on the third of November, I will shoot you and throw you in the river; no one will know it. The niggers make me mad, and I hate every nigger." Witness, therefore, did not dare to vote on the day of election.

A. T. Schover states, on oath, that he was commissioner of election in New Orleans, during the election held November 3, 1868, at Poll No. 3, Precinct 10, Fifth Ward. From the opening of the polls until about noon, the white voters had complete possession of the polls. At noon they, finding there were no Republican votes polled, started around in bands in search of colored voters and offered them money, and in some cases threatened them, to induce them to vote. They told many that they would protect them and see that they should vote as they might choose. Several white men attempted to vote twice; they were, however, detected and prevented. Contrary to orders the deputy sheriffs took charge of the ballot box after the counting was over and took it to the sheriff's office. The sheriff had given them orders to "stick to it until hell froze over."

W. B. Phillips states, on oath, that on the morning of November 3, 1868, he went to the poll near the corner of Claiborne and Common streets, and while there he saw three young white men approach a colored man and tell him "if he did not want his brains blown out, he had better vote for Seymour and Blair.

D. W. Brandon states, on oath, that on November 3, 1868, the day of the election, he went to the poll, corner of Josephine and Laurel streets, with thirty-three colored men to vote, and when there was threatened by a crowd of white men there congregated, who remarked "here come the d-d nigger sons of b-s, and a white radical with them, to vote the d-d radical ticket." Witness advised the colored men to return home; while they were returning some one in the Democratic ranks said: "if those d-d niggers had voted, and had not voted as we wanted them to they would never have seen another day."

Joseph Mintan states on oath, that he served in the Federal army during the late war, and for having done so he has been repeatedly threatened, some telling him "you will pay for it when Seymour and Blair are elected." On the day of the election, November 3, 1868, he was walking along quietly, when he was seized by a party of seven or eight white men, who wore the badge of the "Broom Rangers," and who told him that he must vote. He told them that he had not his registration certificate with him; that he did not wish to vote. He told them this because he believed it to be unsafe to vote the Republican ticket. He finally made his escape from them.

Leander Collins states, on oath, that on the third of November, 1868, he was standing on the corner of St. Louis and Trémé streets; he saw a colored man coming down Trémé street and saw two white men shoot at him, but without hitting him. They then arrested the colored man and took him to the parish prison.

Thomas Washington, George W. Washington, Edward Johnson and Stephen Rag state, on oath, that during the election of November

her 3, 1868, they went to poll number three, precinct twenty, Tenth Ward, corner of Laurel and Josephine streets, to vote; when within a few steps of the polls a man in the crowd (which numbered about forty), who wore a red ribbon badge, marked deputy sheriff, said, "there comes that same white d-d radical son of a b-h that was at Jackson street poll this morning with some d-d radical niggers here to see if he can vote them at this poll, but I'll be d-d if he does, except they vote for Seymour and Blair." Hearing these threats used by the deputy sheriff, they concluded to go home. Had it not been for this intimidation they would have voted the regular Republican ticket.

Daniel Hollins, Patrick Johnson, James Williams, James Page, Washington Green, Jordan Mulligan, S. C. Criber and William Leonard (all colored) state, on oath, that on November 3, 1868, the day of election, they went to poll number two, precinct twenty, Engine house number twenty-two, on Tchoupitoulas street, for the purpose of voting, and when near said poll, a white man came up to them and asked if they were going to vote. They replied "yes." He then asked what ticket they were going to vote. They answered the Republican ticket. The white man then said, "You d-d sons of b-s, you don't vote no such d-d ticket at this poll." They asked him if they didn't vote at that poll. He replied "Yes, but you have got to vote for Seymour and Blair, or not vote at all." They immediately turned from the poll and went home. Had it not been for this intimidation they would have voted the regular Republican ticket.

Edward Decree, Pierre Grant, Charles Emis, Samuel Campbell, David Fisher, Samuel Bell and Samuel Basil (colored) state, on oath, that they are registered voters in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the Tenth Ward; that on November 3, 1868, during the late election, they went to poll number one, precinct twenty, on Jackson street, for the purpose of voting, when within a short distance of the poll (around which a crowd of about two hundred white men were congregated) they heard some person in the crowd remark, "here comes the d-d black radical sons of b-s, and a d-d white radical with

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them, to vote the d-d Radical ticket." They then believing it to be impossible for them to vote, started to leave the polls. As they were leaving the same man said, "it is better for you d-d niggers to go home, for if you had voted the d-d radical ticket, your G-d d-d heads would have been blown off." Witnesses further state that had they not been thus intimidated they would have voted the regular Republican ticket.

The following is an official statement of Wm. Baker, Chairman of the Board of Registrars, as to the conduct of the election of the third of November, 1868:

"There is not a ward in the city in which threats of violence have not been made to the Supervisors of Registration in the performance of their duties. Many of them for some time prior to the election were afraid to sleep in their own houses at night. Others were threatened, and in one instance one of the newspapers called upon the people to 'hang the Registrars to the nearest lamd post.' Is it any wonder that they resigned rather than perform their duties at so much personal risk? In the First Ward one of the Registrars was hung in effigy in front of his own door. Since then, as a matter of personal safety, he has sold out his place of business at great loss, and moved to another portion of the city.

"One registration office (the Sixth Ward) was broken into and the furniture and stationery destroyed; fortunately the records were deposited elsewhere for safe keeping. The First Ward registration office was broken into and the whole records destroyed. It is believed it was done for the purpose of destroying the evidence which the Registrars had been collecting, respecting the breaking into the houses of colored men, and with pistols at their heads and threats of instant death if they resisted, robbing them of their registration papers. I am in possession of many affidavits setting forth these facts. Many clubs rooms were broken into and sacked, the furniture and everything destroyed

"So far had these threats of violence, intimidation and murder been carried that when the Registrars came to that part of their duty requiring them to appoint Commissioners of Election, that in not one ward in this city could be found Republicans who were ready to incur the risk of serving as Commissioners of Election, showing most conclusively the reign of terror which had been inaugurated and which but too truly made "the elections a farce," the "tragedy" having preceded it.

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"The consequences of the intimidation just referred to, is no where more perceptible than in the city of New Orleans. With more than eighteen thousand (18,000) registered colored voters in this city, and certainly not less than six thousand white Republicans, it appears that less than three hundred persons voted the Republican ticket. Why the Republicans did not vote, is easily explained, by taking a glance at the weekly mortuary report of the Secretary of the Board of Health, which shows that three white men and ten colored came by their death, either by gun shot or other wound, in one week in this city during which time such a state of anarchy or mob law existed that the ordinary police authorities were powerless, and the streets at night were patrolled by bands of self-appointed men, armed with all kinds of dangerous weapons, during which time no colored man or known Republican dared show themselves on the streets after dark."

John Dennis states, on oath, that on the third day of November, 1868, he saw Judge Gastinel and Mr. Rousseleau make three colored men vote the Democratic ticket at the poll on St. Philip street, between Marais and Trémé streets; these men did not wish to vote, but did so, being afraid that they would be killed if they did not. (This said Rousseleau is a member of the "Innocent Club.") Mr. Rousseleau's brother-in-law was there, and made colored men vote the Democratic ticket. At the corner of Rampart and Ursuline streets, Mr. Trémé and John Henry, members of the "Innocent Club," stopped witness and asked him to vote the Democratic ticket, when he refused to do so; they told him he must vote that ticket; he left them; between eleven and twelve o'clock these men came to his house for him, but he was out; they then went to his uncle's, Mr. Johnson Dennis's house, and made him leave his sick bed and vote the Democratic ticket; one of these men, Lieutenant Joe Jacobs, of the Third District station. At No. 14 engine house witness saw white men point their revolvers at colored men's heads, and make them vote the Democratic ticket; he saw Judge Gastinel point his revolver at colored men's heads at the engine house of Pelican 1, Hook and Ladder No. 4, and make them vote the Democratic ticket; Judge Montamat and Arthur Guerin were together at Poll No. 21, and forced colored men to vote the Democratic ticket. Witness further states that he saw Judge Gastinel, Mr. Sambola, and another man—all having badges on—with others, one night, in the latter part of October, go to Econ-

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omy Hall, on Ursuline street, and destroy all the blanks for the registration of voters and all the furniture in the room. The Supervisors of Registration held their office there. Witness intends leaving the State for fear of being killed; his life being openly threatened by one Oscar Blasco, marshal of the "Innocent Club."

CROSS-EXAMINED.

*Question* (by Mr. Campbell).—Do you know Judge Gastinel?

*Answer*.—I know Judge Gastinel by name, sight and reputation. I was raised with him all my life.

*Question*.—You state that you saw Judge Gastinel make three (3) colored men vote the Democratic ticket, because they were afraid they would be killed; how do you know this?

*Answer*.—I heard the threats; I heard Rousseleau say, "We will go in your bed and get you out, and you will be sorry for it; you had better vote my ticket. Judge Gastinel told them to vote; he would fix it all right with them; "they must vote his ticket." A young man by the name of Henry, who was along with me, witnessed this at the engine house of Pelican Hook and Ladder, No. 4.

*Q*.—How close were you to the parties?

*A*.—About fifteen (15) feet.

*Q*.—Are you sure it was Judge Gastinel?

*A*.—I am, for I know him very well.

*Q*.—You state that you saw Judge Gastinel and Mr. Sambola, with thirty or fifty other men, on the night of October 23, 1868, go to Economy Hall, and destroy blanks, furniture, and so on?

*A*.—I did.

*Q*.—Are you personally acquainted with Mr. Sambola?

*A*.—Not personally; I know him by name and sight; I used to go to his house before the war; I have known him for about twenty-five years.

*Q*.—State how close you were to those parties on that night, and if you are positive that they were the parties.

*A*.—I live a quarter of a block from Economy Hall. I was standing on the top of my gate, looking over at them. They were about fifty feet off. The moon was shining; it was a clear night; you could pick up a pin in the street. I recognized the parties plainly. While I was looking at them they went to the hall. I heard the breaking of things, and through the windows saw the breaking

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of the glass. After it was done they came out with a new banner in their hands, and passed right before my door; there were about thirty or fifty of them. A young colored man named Henry saw this beside myself.

Charles J. Fogarty states, on oath, that on the third day of November, 1868, he visited the polls in the Eleventh Ward, six in number. A Republican could not express his political sentiments without endangering his life. Nearly all the white men (and they were numerous about each poll) were armed with revolvers; Republicans were in the greatest danger, and probably would have been killed had they attempted to vote. Few Republicans voted, and upon inquiring of the negroes why they did not vote, they answered that they would not go to the polls because they believed that if they did they would be killed. Republicans, appointed as commissioners of election, refused to serve for the same reasons, and others were appointed.

Joseph Lee states, on oath, that he resides on Dryades street, between Common and Gravier streets; that on November 6, 1868, he was standing on the corner of Common and Dryades street, at about half-past ten o'clock A. M., when he saw a white man run out of a house and assault a negro, hitting him three or four times, and then drew his revolver and pointed it at said negro and said, "I am going to shoot that G—d—d—d nigger." A policeman came up to interfere, when said white man pointed his revolver at said policeman, who turned and walked away.

James McDonald corroborates the above testimony.

The committee append to the testimony from this parish the following evidence, in relation to a secret semi-military and political society, styled in its ritual "The Knights of the White Camelin."

The evidence shows that this organization extends throughout all the Southern States, and also has auxiliary branches in many of the Northern States, and particularly in New York city and Washington.

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By the Grand Commander: My friends, it becomes my duty to propound to you certain questions which you must answer truthfully. Your admission into this order depends upon your reply:

Q.—Do you belong to the white race?

A.—I do.

Q.—Do you believe in the superiority of the white race?

A.—I do.

Q.—Did you ever marry any woman that did not or does not belong to your race?

A.—No.

Q.—Will you promise never to marry any woman unless she belongs wholly to the white race?

A.—I will.

Q.—Are you opposed to allowing the political affairs of this county to go, in whole or in part, into the hands of the negro or African race?

A.—I am.

Q.—Will you do everything in your power to prevent its going into the hands of any inferior race, and especially that of the African race?

A.—Yes.

Q.—Will you promise, under oath, never to fail to cast your vote at any election for a white man attached to our principles, when he is opposed by a negro or one attached to negro principles, unless prevented by severe illness or other disability?

A.—I will.

Q.—Will you promise to defend and maintain the principles of this order against all enemies, and at all times and places to observe a marked difference between the white and the negro or African races?

A.—I will.

By the Grand Commander: You have answered the questions satisfactorily. It now becomes my duty to administer to you the oath that we have all taken.

The Oath.—You solemnly swear in the presence of these witnesses that henceforth you will maintain and defend the superiority of the white race upon this continent, and at all times observe a marked difference between the white and negro or African races; that you will do all in your power to prevent the political affairs of this country, in whole or in part, passing into the hands of negroes or other inferior race; that you will never fail to cast your vote against a person opposed to our principles, who may be a candidate at any election for any office of honor, profit or trust, unless prevented by severe illness or other disability; that you will never marry any woman that does not belong to the white race; that you will obey the orders of those who by our statutes have a right to give orders; that you will at all times and in all places respond, if at the peril of your life, to a sign of distress or cry of alarm coming from any fellow member of this order, and that you will defend and protect them, and will do all in your power to assist them through life; that you will never reveal to any one, without authority, the existence of this order or its signs of recognition, its pass word, its signal of alarm or distress, or the name or names of any of its members or anything whatever that you may see, hear or know concerning this order; you further swear that you will always cherish those grand principles and use your influence, your intelligence and power to instil the same into the minds and hearts of others. For the faithful keeping and performance of this oath you pledge your life and sacred honor.

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By virtue of the power in me vested, I now pronounce you "Knights of the White Camelia."

At this point the newly initiated are turned over to the Lieutenant Commander, who proceeds to instruct them in the secrets of the order, viz:

The sign of recognition is made by carelessly drawing the index finger of the left hand across the left eye (all the other fingers of that hand closed). If the person addressed be a member of that order he will respond in like manner. If either party have any doubts he will ask the question, "Where were you born?" The answer is, "On Mount Caucasus." Q.—"Are you free?" A.—"I am." Q.—"Were your ancestors free?" A.—"They were." Q.—"Are you attached to any order!" A.—"I am." Q.—"To what order?" A.—"To the order of the Knights of the White Camelia." Q.—"Where does it grow?" A.—"On Mount Caucasus."

The order has a signal of alarm, which is given by four raps with the hand upon the door of the council for entrance. The same number of raps are given upon the bell for a grand alarm.

There were in August last fifteen (15) Councils of K. W. C.'s in the parish of Orleans, but they now number eighteen (18), one of which is the Grand Council for the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana. The Grand Council is composed of three members.

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The Grand Commander and the Grand Lieutenant of a council are allowed to sit with the Grand Council while transacting the business of their immediate Council, and at no other time, so that the Grand Commander and Grand Lieutenant of each Council take their turn sitting with the Grand Council. Each Council reports to the Grand Council once in each week; the Grand Commander and the Grand Lieutenant take the report of their Council to the Grand Council and sit with them while receiving the report and transacting the business of this Council and retire with the verbal orders from the Grand Council, which they deliver verbally to their Council, thus making the number present, while transacting the business of any particular Council, five (5).

The city of New Orleans, Algiers and Jefferson are divided into military districts, with a Grand Military Commander for the State, and subordinate officers for the districts.

The Grand Military Commander for the State of Louisiana is —

The organization comprises principally ex-rebel soldiers, although any youth of eighteen and upwards can become a member, whether a citizen of the United States or not. All the banished and transported desperadoes now in New Orleans are members of the K. W. C.'s or K. K. K.'s.

The reckless, disappointed, Democratic politicians are all members. Many merchants, clerks, and brokers, have been drawn into the order under the pretence of uniting to redeem the State from the so-called negro rule. These men are withdrawing from the order as they discover its criminal designs. Every foreigner, whether he had been in the State a week or no, that could be made to promise that he would vote the Democratic ticket was brought to the Democratic Committee, and they (the committee) would give the friend of the foreigner who brought him a note to the Democratic Judge of the court, who would give said foreigner naturalization papers, so that he could register and vote; thousands of names were registered in this way. Every member of the order who could not procure a revolver was supplied with one by the Councils; the members subscribing according to their means. Muskets were procured also, and armories, established where the members (K. W. C.) drilled.

In case the order and signal was given for a general massacre of the loyal whites (scallawags and carpet baggers, as they call them) and blacks, all the members of the order (K. W. C.) could go to the gun stores, or places where arms are sold, and take them, and the

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Council would afterwards pay for them. In case of a massacre, if the military interfered they would fight them too, and they openly boasted that they could "clean the military out in fifteen minutes."

The house of every prominent Republican was watched, and the hours that each kept, so that in case of a massacre they would know where and when to find their victims. In October, 1868, they concluded to break up the Metropolitan Police force, under the pretence that "they were not a lawful force, and were not capable of preserving the peace," notwithstanding the K. K. K.'s were the only ones that did disturb the peace, and to arrest one of them would have been the means of calling out twenty thousand armed men.

During the disturbance in Jefferson and Gretna, six black men were murdered in Gretna and their bodies thrown in the Mississippi river by members of the K. W. C. It was the intention of the K. K. K.'s to kill enough Republicans before the election to intimidate the rest from coming to the polls; they said they had no hopes of Seymour's election, but they were determined to redeem the State of Louisiana from negro and radical rule.

The murders committed in the State of Louisiana, in the different parishes, were committed by the K. K. K.'s. The braves (members) would boast among themselves of killing, saying, "I took two niggers down" and "I took one down."etc.

Their mode of assassination was as follows, to wit: When any Republican becomes prominent in the carrying out of the reconstruction laws of Congress, or by his expressing a desire to allow the black man his equal rights before the law, or in keeping company with black men and instructing them in their political rights, such Republican becomes hateful to them, and they wish to get rid of him in any way; they call it "attending to him;" and when a member wants a man killed he will say in the Council of which he is a member to the Grand Commander, and those present: "I want ——" (giving the man's name and address in full) "attended to," then gives the reason why he wants him attended to. When it is put to a vote of all the members present, and if a majority of votes cast are in favor of the proposition, it is granted; but if a majority of votes are not in favor of it, then nothing is done; but if it should be carried and granted, they then elect a member to carry out the designs. If any one is proposed by another he stands up, and if the members think him a fit person he is elected, but if not he is re-

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jected, for the reason that they do not consider the brother a fit person to participate in the work on hand. If a brother is elected to perform any work, and rises up to excuse himself as being sick, etc., a doctor is called—a member of the order—and if pronounced well and in good health, he is then branded as a coward and not permitted to enter the Council in future, and is again sworn to secrecy as to what he knows.

In cases where a man is to be "attended to," reckless desperadoes are always proposed and elected. When a man is to be killed in a district, word is sent to another district and a member is sent to do the work, giving the members in the district where the victim lives due notice of the time it is to take place, when they are on hand in waiting, and if the brother gets into trouble the members in waiting assist him to their utmost ability. In the country parishes they send word to an adjoining parish, and that council elects a brother to do the work, who immediately notifies the brothers of the council in the parish where the victim lives, and they are about at the time specified, when if the brother gives a sign of distress, they rush forward and assist him. The K. K. K. members boast that the Legislature—i. e. the present body—will never be allowed to meet here again.

This order exists in all the Southern States; but in some to a greater extent than in others; in the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas to a greater extent than in the others. The members of the order say "they will remain united as long as a black man holds office;" but a black man can vote free provided he does not vote the Republican ticket. Witness further states that he has the names, residences, and business of the wealthier members of the order, and of the prominent men in the councils. They talk of reorganizing the order, altering the constitution, and changing the signs and pass words. It is asserted by members of the Ku Klux that they are glad the radical Legislature are moving their quarters from the Mechanics' Institute to the old Louisiana Bank, as they did not want to see the Institute burned down, which would be the case if said Legislature continued to occupy it, and that it is very doubtful whether the Legislature meet in January or not. Bets have already been made that the Legislature will not meet. One man said on Canal street on Sunday that every man who had a white heart was a walking arsenal, and by two words he could

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have Canal street in an uproar. He said that the military forces would not last five minutes—besides, he knew the military authorities sympathized with the white people of New Orleans, and that it was, and is the determination of the whites to remain united until the last radical and nigger is out of office.

The following is a continuous narrative of some of the secret proceedings of this organization in New Orleans for the two months preceding the election:

SEPTEMBER 15, 1868.

The city is laid out in military districts, and every member is required to arm himself.

OCTOBER 2, 1868.

— states, on oath, if a member is able to walk, he must go to the place armed and ready for action; in no case must the member provoked a quarrel; if he does, he will get no assistance, even if he is killed, so long as he commences the disturbance and is to blame for it.

They are determined to resort to violence in case Grant is elected; they propose to rise all over the South.

The call it slow poison to have a black man to rule over them.

They also say that in case of a disturbance that no man under General Rousseau will shoot at a white man.

OCTOBER, 1868.

The members at No. 9 met last night at ______, up stairs. They appointed a patrol of one hundred men divided into groups of ten each, who have a chief, and they all under a grand chief, ______. They are to meet every night at seven o'clock in case they should be needed; as matters now stand they will not patrol except called out.

The G. C. said last night: "Brothers, all of you that can come to drill, do so; the armory is up stairs."

A supply of arms has arrived here lately; it is stated that the order now numbers sixteen thousand (16,000) in the parish of Orleans, La.

There is a move on foot in the city (October 29, 1868) to put Judge Ong, of St. Bernard, out of the way. The orders come from St. Bernard parish.

OCTOBER 10, 1868.

Council No 4 met at the fair grounds. Nearly all the members are foreigners. The meeting was a special one, called by order of the

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Grand Council. Resolutions were passed urging every man of foreign
birth to go forward and procure naturalization papers, and to see
that every man did so, whether he belongs to the order or not. It
was also stated that there would be no trouble in getting papers,
even if the applicant was only three days in the country, as the
Democratic Committee had matters arranged with the courts about
giving men papers. Resolutions were also passed forbidding Demo-
crats to employ a colored man, except that he could get his services
for a less price than that of a white man; also prohibiting members
from talking or associating with white Republicans, or even to do
business with them, when it could be possibly avoided.

OCTOBER 25, 1868.

Council No. 15. On Friday there were two colored men killed, and in the evening there were five colored men killed by members of Council No. 15 and some members of the "Wide Awake Club." The bodies were thrown into the river. (Some of the members of No. 15 say that there were six colored men killed and thrown in the river).

There are about twenty United States soldiers in Gretna; they are
drinking whiskey with the Democrats, and say that they (the sol-
diers) do not care a丁 how many "niggers" are killed. Yester-
day (24th), the Democrats or K. K. K., pointed their pistols in the
faces of the Metropolitan police and made them march down to the
river.

Orders have been issued to all the Councils to hold themselves in
readiness until election, and to carry their arms with them.

The "Innocents" will march to-morrow evening (2500 strong)
through those portions of the city that are the most thickly settled
with colored people.

JEFFERSON, October 26, 1868.

The authorities of Jefferson had nine men in custody last evening,
seven of them members of the Metropolitan police and two suspected
spies, who gave some signs of the K. K. K., but could not carry
them out.

On Saturday five men were arrested as spies, because they could
not show all the signs and pass words; but afterwards, proving that
they belonged to Council No. 12, they were released.

Twenty men have been detailed from each Council, to remain in
Jefferson and do picket's duty, until the police matter is settled. Large
numbers of the K. K. K. have come to Jefferson from adjoining
parishes; they are armed with shot guns; every man is well armed,

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OCTOBER 28, 1868

There were one thousand Manhattan revolvers received on Friday
by one of the commanders of the "Braves," expressly for the mem-
bers, to whom they have since been distributed. The revolvers
have six chambers and a six-inch barrel. On Friday and Saturday
night the "Braves" had mounted pickets about the outskirts of the
city, none inside of Claiborne street. Those pickets were to see if
any crowds of colored men assembled. They had a lariat or lasso,
and pretended to be catching stock. The outskirts of the town were
watched because the major part of the colored people lived there.

OCTOBER 26, 1868.

It was announced in the Councils of the K. K. K. some nights
ago, that if any disturbance took place all the members who had no
arms could go to the gun store—the proprietor of which was a mem-
ber of the order—and get all the arms they wanted, and the order
would pay the bill.

The Democratic Central Committee granted permission to the
"Innocents" to parade, the object being to intimidate and frighten
the colored people. They rejoice in the belief that they have that
accomplished already.

A large attendance was had at every Council last evening. No
business was transacted; the members were merely present for the
purpose of being on hand in case of a disturbance. Extra patrols
and pickets were out last night from every Council.

Some of the members are very uneasy and anxious to kill certain
radicals. They say that unless an example is made of some one,
they will not leave, nor will they keep away from here and let the
black man alone. They boast of having the radicals, both white
and black, cowed down.

Large numbers of the K. K. K. moved about in groups in the
back part of the city. About one hundred of the Wide Awakes
and Innocents carried muskets and shot guns; every man was armed
with one or two revolvers and knives.

A supply of arms having arrived, the different Councils are now
furnishing them to those who have none.

OCTOBER 27, 1868.

If a disturbance takes place in Jefferson there will be one started
in Algiers, so that the colored men living over there, and who it is
thought would go to Jefferson on hearing of a disturbance, will be

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kept across the river. Council No. 15 is in Algiers; the K. K. K. care nothing about the military, as they say that the military cannot get around fast enough for the kind of fighting they will do. The K. K. K. will not commence a disturbance, but will give cause to be attacked in some manner, when they will call all members to action by their signs and signals.

OCTOBER 30, 1868.

Council No. 9, seventy-two (72) members present, met last night over _________, Camp street; they went up into the third story to drill; those who had been in the Confederate army declined to drill, stating that they were perfect in drill. About thirty (30) men then drilled for about fifteen or twenty (15 or 20) minutes. The room is a bad one, and it is the intention to get another in the Second Ward, which the Council represents. There were about one hundred new muskets there, and it is believed that they were brought there since last Wednesday night. The Chief of the hundred patrol knows where the arms are stored.

OCTOBER 31, 1868.

Council No. 10 met Saturday evening. The Grand Commander requested all the members to go to the polls armed, but under no circumstances to try to keep any colored man or white radical away from the polls, as the Democrats were certain of carrying the State; that matters had gone too far already, and that the radicals would take advantage of what had occurred.

NOVEMBER 13, 1868.

Council No. 9 met last night; twenty-five new members were admitted; violent speeches were made by _______ and _______ to the effect that the organization had acted on the defensive too long; that the radical party had been the aggressors for the last six months, plundering the people, etc.

They spoke very bitterly against Lieutenant Governor Dunn, saying, "here is a negro that could be bought for fifteen hundred dollars ($1500) seven years ago, now the Lieutenant Governor of the State and President of the Police Board—how long are we to put up with it?" They also complained about the radical press getting to know too much about them.

NOVEMBER 18, 1868.

Council No. 14 met last night; a letter was received and read from the Tammany Hall (N. Y.) Vigilance Committee, recommending four (4) men to the "tender mercies" of the K. K. K.

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These men are noted radicals, and they will be watched; the letter will be sent to every council in the city.

NOVEMBER 26, 1868.

They talked of revising the whole constitution, and reorganizing the order, and excluding a certain class of members, who, they say, never ought to be admitted, viz: loafers.

DECEMBER 3, 1868.

One man said that they had been outraged, the G. C. replied "Yes, and the eyes of twenty thousand indignant men will watch the traitor; he need not think that he will escape, he will be found sooner or later." In Council No. 4, they think that it is one of their members who has betrayed them, and in No. 14 they strongly suspect ______.

COUNCIL No. 14, DECEMBER 9, 1868.

The Grand Conductor said that they might as well throw the doors open and admit everybody, as there was no secret about the order now. He also spoke of the benefit derived from the organization, and the great necessity for keeping it together, saying that it was the fear of the order that kept the radicals in the Legislature from passing several extreme measures; he also told the members that nothing had been received from the Grand Council yet. The members, in speaking of the Legislature say that it will not be allowed to meet. They also say that they will positively kill every black man that is put on the police. Some say that when the Legislature meets, there will be a committee to wait upon the Governor and first request him to urge the repeal of certain acts, and if he refuse, they will then demand their repeal. The notices in the Times calling special meetings are for effect, merely to make people believe that they are not affected by the exposure of their signs, etc.

There are a number of the members of Council No. 10 who drill every night at ______, Canal street. They drill with muskets—the muskets are always found in the drill room when they meet. Only one hundred drill at one time, as that is all the muskets they have there. Council No. 9 meet and drill in the room over ______, on Camp street. Each Council has a drill room; each Council also detail a certain number of men armed with revolvers—most of them the Manhattan revolvers—that were received from New York for distribution, and which have been referred to at earlier dates. During the riots these armed men patrolled the city, and when they met a colored man they would assault, rob, and sometimes kill him. This patrolling party broke up the Republican Club rooms. This patrol-

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ling party was divided into groups of ten men each, with a chief, and the whole under a grand chief. When these groups met a policeman they would assault or kill him.

— states, on oath, that on or about the twenty-sixth day of October, 1868, he was in the Merchants' Bank, on Camp street, and while there saw several gentlemen come into said bank and go into the back room, where they were met by some officers of the bank, who delivered to them money or a check, and ordered the book-keeper to make the entry of money paid to purchase arms to keep the peace.

ORLEANS—SUMMARY.

<table><tr><td>Number killed.</td><td>63</td></tr><tr><td>Number shot.</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>Number maltreated.</td><td>87</td></tr><tr><td>Total victims of massacre.</td><td>161</td></tr></table>

The following be compiled in Appendix:

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