f unoffending men at the town
of Hamburg, S.C. My letter to Governor Chamberlain contains all the
comments I wish to make on the subject. As allusion is made in that
letter to the condition of other States, and particularly to Louisiana
and Mississippi, I have added to the inclosures letters and testimony in
regard to the lawless condition of a portion of the people of the latter
State.

In regard to Louisiana affairs, murders and massacres of innocent men
for opinion's sake or on account of color have been of too recent date
and of too frequent occurrence to require recapitulation or testimony
here. All are familiar with their horrible details, the only wonder
being that so many justify them or apologize for them.

But recently a committee of the Senate of the United States visited the
State of Mississippi to take testimony on the subject of frauds and
violence in elections. Their report has not yet been made public, but I
await its forthcoming with a feeling of confidence that it will fully
sustain all that I have stated relating to fraud and violence in the
State of Mississippi.

U.S. GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _August 11, 1876_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith a telegram of the 5th of August instant from
Lieutenant-General Sheridan to General Sherman, a letter of the 11th of
the present month from General Sherman to the Secretary of War, and a
letter from the latter of the same date to me, all setting forth the
possible needs of the Army in consequence of existing hostilities.

I would strongly urge upon Congress the necessity for making some
provision for a contingency which may arise during the vacation--for
more troops in the Indian country than it is now possible to send.

It would seem to me to be much more economical and better to authorize
an increase of the present cavalry force by 2,500 privates, but if this
is not deemed advisable, then that the President be authorized to call
out not exceeding five regiments, 1,000 strong each, of volunteers, to
serve for a period not exceeding six months.

Should this latter authority be given, I would not order out any
volunteers unless in my opinion, based upon reports from the scene of
war, I deemed it absolutely necessary, and then only the smallest number
considered sufficient to meet the emergency.

U.S. GRANT.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _August 14, 1876_.

_To the House of Representatives_:

In affixing my sign