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.

1528 CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN TIIE SOUTHERN STATES.
By Mr. BUCKLEY:
Question. Did the negroes pursue?
Answer. We have asked the negroes, " Why did you not catch him?7"
By the CHAIRMAN:
Question. Where a horse is stolen in your county, the owner and his friends make
(diligent pursuit of the thief, and endeavor to arrest him?
Answer. It depends on circumstances. When we get the track, we do. But stolen
property is freqently not found.
Question. A horse-thief is frequently overtaken and brought to justice?
Answer. He is overtaken sometimes, but frequently not. My brother lost a horse not
long ago, and never could get any clue. I have lost several cattle.
Question. There is earnest effort, though?
Answer. There is no particular earnestness shown, more than the man advertises and
inquires about with all earnestness, as far as that is concerned; but I do not know any
particular demonstration or effort. He does not know where to go.
Question. There is riding to and fro on the different roads, is there not?
Answer. To some extent. There is a messenger sent. I met a boy yesterday morning looking for a mule. He asked, " Have you seen a stray mule?" No more than
that; that did not excite particular attention.
Question. You say this same band of disguised men that made the raid on Mrs. Nutting, on that same night released, in the town of Greensborough, one McGrary from
jail?
Answer. That is what I understood and believe.
Question. How large a town is Greensborough; what is its population?
Answer. Since the extension of the limits of the town, I suppose it to be two thousand; all included, fifteen hundred to two thousand.
Question. About what hour of the night did you understand McGrary's release was
effected?
Answer. About 11 or 12 o'clock.
Question. Before or after the raid upon Dr. Blackford?
Answer. It was the same night.
Question. But was it before or after the raid upon Blackford?
Answer. Well, sir, I do not know; I have known, but I do not remember.
Question. Did you understand that the jailor made decent resistance?
Answer. I understood that, he could not make any resistance; he was just taken possession of, and commanded to go. There was no need of resistance, and no use in resistance.'
Question. That part of the town is populous, is it not?
Answer. It is right in the midst of the town where the calaboose was.
Question. Did the jailor make any outcry?
Answer. I do not know.
Question. If he did, you never heard of it?
Answer. I never heard of it.
Question. There would have been no difficulty in his being heard, if he had made outcries?
Answer. He could have been heard by the immediate neighbors, if they awoke. It
was at the dead hour of the night.
Question. Was any effort made to pursue McGrary?
Answer. No, sir; not that I ever heard. He disappeared immediately from the community; it was so understood. I will mention in this connection that there was an
effort made to rescue this man, McDonald.
Question. I will come to his case directly. You say McGrary was said to be falsely
imprisoned?
Answer. Whether falsely or not, some thought; he was unjustly imprisoned.
Question. Upon what charge?
Answer. Htorse-stealing, I think.
Questiohn. Was it said he had stolen the horse of a negro?
Answer. It was said that he had been accused of some deed; that he expected to
take one horse, but was mistaken in the horse, and got the wrong horse, and for that
wrong horse he was pursued and taken.
Question. Did the horse belong to a negro?
AnswerL. No, sir; I heard the horse belonged to a white man.
Question. He was imprisoned upon a complaint or charge preferrcd by a negro?
Answer. I think there was something of that kind. I think a negro had something
to do with it; the negro made the charge, and he was arrested by our authorities-by
the sheriff. I believe I did hear something of that.
Question. Was his release regarded by the citizens as a great outrage?
Answer. Well, sir, it was just regarded as one of those acts of outlawry, or lawlessness, which we condemn.