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-COMMITTEE. 1951
Question. And it has occurred within a week. How large a combination of men did
yon understand had set their faces against this matter?
Answer. I heard that a great many of the best citizens of that part of the county,
sir, had gone to these men and told them if it was not stopped they would-have to
leave the county; that they would not submit to it.
Question. You were speaking a moment ago about the citizens calling a public meeting here. What did I understand was the purpose of that call?
Ansuwer. Nothing except to denounce anything like injustice or improper treatment
to the negro or any one else.
Question. When was that suggestion made-this week?
Answver. Yes, sir.
Question. Since the committee arrived here?
lAnswer. Yes, sir; I heard it spoken of since; I am not sure but I heard it before, sir.
I did hear one or two gentlemen speaking of it before. I have heard it mentioned this
week, too.
Question. That a meeting should be called?
Answuer. Yes, sir; that it would be best, or that they ought to call a meeting or something of the kind.
Question. What was suggested as the purpose.of the meeting when it should assemble?
Ansuwer. Nothing but to announce a determination to get rid of these lawless characters over the county-either make them leave the county, or bring them to punishment
for every crime they committed or were alleged to have committed, where the truth
could be ascertained.
Question. How did they propose to find out who were concerned in these outrages?
Answver. There was nothing said as to that.
Question. Did they suppose that a fulmination of a set of resolutions in a newspaper
would accomplish that object?
lAnswer. I do not know their purpose. The suggestion was made that a meeting of
that sort be held.
Question. There are men in the county that are suspected of being concerned in
these outrages, are there?,Aszver. None immediately about here that I know of.
Question. Well, in Sumter County?
Answser. I do not know. There are some bad characters. I do not know that they
are concerned in any of these bands; but there are men that are supposed to be concerned in the commission of different offenses, as well as some assaults and batteries
on negroes, stealing and encouraging negroes to steal cotton, and buying it of thembuying corn at night of them.
Question. What effect upon the negro has the commission of these various outrages
against these negroes had?
Answver. Well, sir, I could not say.
Question. Have they become, to any considerable extent, alarmed and afraid for their
personal security?
Answer. I have not heard any complaint of the sort for a year or two-two years, I
reckon.
Question. Do you think the negroes are generally contented and satisfied?
4Ansier. Yes, sir.
Question. And feel secure in their persons and property?
Answer. All those that demean themselves properly, I think, are so.
Question. You have heard of no disposition evinced by them to go to some other
country, where they will be safer?
Answer. No, sir.
Question. You have heard no talk of emigration to Kansas?
Ainswer. I have heard talk of it among white persons, but not among negroes. I
have heard it mentioned in regard to Marengo County particularly, but I never heard
of the idea of emigration from this county; but I have heard that there was such a
project there on foot, or proposed, in Marengo.
Qutestion. Did you understand that that project originated because of the insecurity
the negroes felt in Marengo County?
Answser. I did not. I learned from the source of my information the supposed object
only, and that was some gain, either pecuniary or otherwise, appeared to be derived
by a Mr. Jones over there, who was leading the negroes very considerably. A gentleman in this county told me le had understood that Mr. Jones was offering a bonus of
so many dollars to all those who would go.
Question. Men advocate their political sentiments here freely and unreservedly, and
without any apprehension, do they?
Answer. I have not heard anything to the contrary.
Question. You heard nothing last fall to the contrary?