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.

1792 CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN THE SOUTHERN STATES.
Question. So you think that where colored people have been abused they are afraid
to report their cases to court for fear they will be punished further?
Answer. Yes, sir; I do honestly think that. I was here Tuesday, and that man got
after me out there and I felt pretty bad, and I went for home. I walked from here
back. I did more walking than I have done in twenty years in that length of time; I
am crippled in one leg, as you can see; I can't do much walking; but I did that day,
because I felt uneasy, very much, because I didn't know what the terms were.
Question. Do you know of any colored men staying away from the polls and not
voting for fear they might lose their places or their employment, or be otherwise injured, in case they voted the radical ticket.
Answer. Yes, sir; I do know several men in that situation. They have been so; furthermore they decline [incline] to stay away from the polls without they can see some
way for protection. That is the case in a great many cases, certain.
Question. What are the colored people up in Greene County thinking about doing to
better their condition; are they talking about emigrating to some new country?
Answer. A great deal; there's mighty big talk; most people up there don't care to
move, but in the situation they are now in, they can't live there; they want to emigrate.
Question. Do they feel secure as things now are, in their lives and persons, in Greene
County to remain there?
Answer. They don't claim to by and large-that's certain.
Question. Do you think negroes are in any safer condition, where they come out
openly as democrats, and agree to vote the democratic ticket? Are they molested in
the least when they become democrats?
Answer. There is a great deal of difference in them then. They become better satisfied-more reconciled to the situation; of course they feel it. Now, when he signs a
piece of paper to stick up to the democratic party, they tell him they will see him protected and take care of him.
Question. Do they protect the colored people when they come out and join the
democratic party?
Answer. Well, they got along; they do very well. They do get better credit than
when they went strong republican, and they can have more influence.
Question. Do the colored people in Greene County think that a great deal of this persecution against them is because they vote the radical ticket?
Answer. That is the main cause; that is what they think generally.
Question. Do you think it is true that much of this persecution is attributable to that?
Answer. I do, from what has been said to me. I drawed up a card to put in the
Whig to resign my republican principles. I did that myself.
Question. Is the Whig the name of the paper?
Answer. Yes, sir; the Eutaw Whig. I drawed up the card last spring.
By Mr. RICE:
Question. What was the nature of the card?
Answer. It was that I acknowledged I had been a republican-a strong republicanand had done all that it was my duty to do; but since the question had got as it was,
I would resign and claim to have no more to do with republicanism, or any political
duties whatever; and if they would just let me escape and go, I was done with all
these things, and not take them into consideration.
Question. Did the democrats seem to be pleased with it?
Answer. A man told me that was worth a thousand dollars to me.
Question. That card?
Answer. Yes, sir; I told him I was very glad to hear that, for I was sort of dissatisfied
in my present situation.
Question. Did you sign that card in order to buy your peace, in order that you might
be better protected in the community more secure in your rights?
Answer. I did at the time; I felt that that was my safest plan; that is the way it
came.
Question. You are still as much a republican in your sentiments as ever?
Answer. Yes, sir; I stand square, I am.
Question. Do you not think that is the case with most of the colored people who have
agreed to vote the democratic ticket?
Answer. I do.
Question. Do you think it would be safe for you if it was known up in Greene County
that you had been before this committee and testified to these things you have to-day?
Answer. I don't think I would like to go back any more; that is the fact, honestly. I
i don't feel satisfied.
By Mr. BUCKLEY:
Question. Do you think that in the election which was held last year in Greene
County the colored people voted freely, without any fear or intimidation?