Report of the Joint select committee appointed to inquire into the condition of affairs in the late insurrectionary states, so far as regards the execution of laws, and the safety of the lives and property of the citizens of the United States and Testimony taken.

1508 CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN THE SOUTHERN STATES.
far as I know, they are. I have not been about but very little this year; I have been
confined to my room since the 27th of March.
13 the CHAIRMAN:
Qxestion. Before going to Linden that dtay, were you aware that Dr. Jones was going
to make an address?
Ansi'ver. I had heard it from the newspapers; I understood he was to be there; I went
there with that purpose.
Qlestion. Do you think it was generally nnderstood in the comnmunity?
Alswcer. Yes, sir; I think it was generally understood.
Question. Was there any feling against Dr. Jones up to that time in the colmmlunity
Answer. Well, sir, they did not like him: I do not know that thcy dislike him, but
they do not like the course he is pursuing; the white people generally aro opposed to
the course heis pursuing.
Question. W\as he odious on accoiunt; of his political sentiments?
Answer. I do not know that that was it, so mubc as the language in which le speaks,
and the distracting of the ]lalboer from his business; and going on plantations and inculcatinog b)ad doctrines with the neogroes, telling them they should not hire except for
certain wa-ges. That is the impression given out. I do not know that it is so; that is
what he is accused of
Question. WaVs he not odious, because of the fact that hle was a native Alabamian, and
was a, radical, and advocating radical sentiments?
Ansswcr. I think it likely, sir. I think it likely.
Questionl. Were the negroes disarmed, that day, by the whites?
lzseer. They were not. They wxere armed up to the time I went into the room
where Mr. Jones was, and I remained until I saw him safe. I do not know what was
done outside afterward. I understoodl they were not disarmded, b lut nmany of them left
and went home.
Qutestion. Wiias not violence offered to the negroes?
Alsloru. None that I know (oifI t may have been while I w as in the room. I did
not see it.
Question. Yon say there wa-s a, grea t uproa',r among tle wNhites and negroes while you
were in the Toom1?
A,.iswer. Yes, sir.
Qiesti o. Whait n-as the natiureo of t;1at uproar?
Anwlcr. It appeatred to be a hallooing and whoopilng. I believe the -whitess all thought
M3r. Jones was eone. I do not thinlk they did it toitlarnm himl, ir I think they thou1ght
lhe was gone.
(?uteiion. Whxy sl'hould tthey l]irve remained there if they had supposed lie had gonle?
in.s:lwcr. e Well, jlust drinkiin and going on; I do not know. I judge fronm the fact,that many black people on tlle plantation I have employed told me they were staying
there waiting for ine; thalt they understood I wias in a room somewhere, and they
wan;ted to see mer safe.
Questio). If the people tlhought Jones had gone, w\-hy should you have been alarmed
whtile you were in the room withi him?
An cswer. I did lot know then what tl y t tho ught outside. After I got out to tihe room
and talked with a great miany, they told me tlat they thought Jones had made his
escape -when I was in the room.
(Qucstiio t o. So are now of opinison that 0you were not in danger while you were in
the room?
Alnswcer. I do not think but very few knew it.
Quzeslion. Could he have nlade his escape fromn tie court-house wiJthout people seeing
him? Was notl the court-house slurroiunded?
Ansiwer. No, sir; he was in the north room of the lower story of the court-houseone of the north rooms; the south room is the clerk's roon; just below that south
room is the probate court-room l he could lave gonen bhelow that;.and just below is a
ravine, and tI thought he could have iaade his escape through thatt. Hei, did not think
so himself I proposed that.
QuLestion. There would have been some risk of observation?
Asw'r. Yes, sir. there would; lbut I thloulht the risk was less than in tle room tlhere.
Question. VWhat twas the character and standing of the white people of that crowd
who ran to )-et their arms after lie had challenged Mor(igan for a fight?
nzlswlr. XWell, sir, I think they were quiet,, law-abiding people, as far as I know.
There were some few drinking preople amovng tthem.
Question. But, generally speaking, they were of a quiet, law-abiding character?
Answer. Yes, sir; bust they did not listen to reason at that time. 1 tried to prevent
them from interrlupting him during his speech, and wanted him to speak what lie
pleased, and as long as lie pleased, but niany of thelm would not do so.
Question. When lie commenced speaking,, I understood you to say you were standing
on the opposite sidi of the stret or sitti:r on tile opposit e side of the street. Is it