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.

ALABAMA-SUB-COMMITTBE. 1847
Answer. Not then they didn't. They told him here, right before this gate here, that
there was a way for him to live without his teaching a negro school. At the time of
the whipping I didn't hear them, but they told him that here.
Question. The told him that in town, before they took him and you out in these woods?
Answer. Yes, sir; right out there, at that gate.
Question. Did you go to a justice of the peace, or the county solicitor, or intendant at
the town, and tell them of your abuse?
Answer. Not one, sir; I couldn't go to nobody; the doctors came to me; I couldn't
go nowhere; I laid down and expected to die.
Question. How long were you laid up with your wound?
Answer. I reckon it was about three weeks, as near as I can come at it.
Question. After you got well, did you take any measures to obtain redress?
Answer. Not a thing.
Question. Why not?
Answer. I was afraid.
Question. What were you afraid of?
Answer. I was afraid, may be, the men might get hold of it that I was trying to make
an inquiry, and I was afraid they might do me worse than they did before; that was
all I was afraid of.
Question. Did the grand jury, or any of the authorities of the law, take any measures
to punish these men?
Answer. When it was done I never knew a thing said about it, not a thing, no more
that if it had been a snake shot.
Question. Nobody has been punished?
Answer. No, sir; not in my knowing; I never heard anything talked about it.
Question. Were you ever interfered with before or since?
Answer. Never before, nor since.
Question. Do you know any other colored men who have been whipped, or shot, or
killed in this county?
Answer. Yes, sir; I heard of some being, but not to my knowing; I have heard of
others being whipped and shot.
Question. Whom have you heaid of being whipped?
Answer. I heard of a man being shot by the name of Peter Stewart.
Question. Was Peter Stewart a colored man?
Answer. He was a colored man.
Question. When was he shot?
Answer. I reckon it was a year ago, nearly.
Question. Where was that?
Answer. It was done up here close to where I live.
Question. Where is that?
Answer. On the railroad, in the beat of Coatopa-about a mile from Coatopa Station.
Question. Was he shot in the day-time or night?
Answer. I think that was done in the morning.
Question. By whom?
Answer. I don't know who by.
Question. Was he hurt much?
Answer. He died.
Question. Died of the shot?
Answer. I heard he died. I never went to see him.
Question. Did you understand what he was shot for?
Answer. No, sir; I did not know what he was shot for.
Question. Did you understand that more than one man was concerned in shooting
him?
Answer. No, sir; I never did.
Question. Was anybody ever taken up for it?
Answer. Not as I know of, sir.
Question. Have you heard of any other colored men being shot or whipped?
Answer. Yes, sir; I have heard away off —away in Choctaw, but I don't know who. I
have heard so much of it. I never have paid no attention to who. It was just the
sound.
Question. You have heard of a great many being shot?
Answer. Yes, sir; I have heard of a great many-just the sound-but all I was trying
to do was to keep clear myself. I was afraid to talk any. I heard of many.
Question. Have you heard of many being whipped?
Answer. Yes, sir; I have heard of many-so many I couldn't tell-so many that I
didn't pay attention to it. I was trying to take care of myself-trying to be as still
as I possibly could.
Question. What do you know of colored men being prevented from voting according
to their sentiments?
Answer. I don't know anything at all about that.