ishing
town of Coushatta. Some of them were Republicans and officeholders under
Kellogg. They were therefore doomed to death. Six of them were seized
and carried away from their homes and murdered in cold blood. No one has
been punished, and the conservative press of the State denounced all
efforts to that end and boldly justified the crime.

Many murders of a like character have been committed in individual
cases, which can not here be detailed. For example, T.S. Crawford,
judge, and P.H. Harris, district attorney, of the twelfth judicial
district of the State, on their way to court were shot from their horses
by men in ambush on the 8th of October, 1873; and the widow of the
former, in a communication to the Department of Justice, tells a piteous
tale of the persecutions of her husband because he was a Union man, and
of the efforts made to screen those who had committed a crime which, to
use her own language, "left two widows and nine orphans desolate."

To say that the murder of a negro or a white Republican is not
considered a crime in Louisiana would probably be unjust to a great part
of the people, but it is true that a great number of such murders have
been committed and no one has been punished therefor; and manifestly,
as to them, the spirit of hatred and violence is stronger than law.

Representations were made to me that the presence of troops in Louisiana
was unnecessary and irritating to the people, and that there was no
danger of public disturbance if they were taken away. Consequently early
in last summer the troops were all withdrawn from the State, with the
exception of a small garrison at New Orleans Barracks. It was claimed
that a comparative state of quiet had supervened. Political excitement
as to Louisiana affairs seemed to be dying out. But the November
election was approaching, and it was necessary for party purposes that
the flame should be rekindled.

Accordingly, on the 14th of September D.P. Penn, claiming that he was
elected lieutenant-governor in 1872, issued an inflammatory proclamation
calling upon the militia of the State to arm, assemble, and drive from
power the usurpers, as he designated the officers of the State. The
White Leagues, armed and ready for the conflict, promptly responded.

On the same day the governor made a formal requisition upon me, pursuant
to the act of 1795 and section 4, Article IV, of the Constitution,
to aid in suppressing domestic violence. On the next day