excluded the vote of said
precincts, and the choice of the people was annulled and reversed,
and that such action of said Weber and Anderson was induced or
encouraged by assurances from me. The charge was based upon the
following letter, alleged to have been written by me:

"New Orleans, November 20, 1876.
"Messrs. D. A. Weber and James E. Anderson.

"Gentlemen:--Your note of even date has just been received. Neither
Mr. Hayes, myself, the gentlemen who accompany me, or the country
at large, can ever forget the obligations under which you will have
placed us should you stand firm in the position you have taken.
From a long and intimate acquaintance with Governor Hayes, I am
justified in assuming the responsibility for promises made, and
will guarantee that you will be provided for as soon after the 4th
of March as may be practicable, and in such manner as will enable
you both to leave Louisiana, should you deem it necessary.

"Very truly yours,
"John Sherman."

The charge was without any foundation whatever, and excited my
resentment. On the 20th of May I wrote Mr. Potter the following
letter:

"May 20, 1878.
"Hon. Clarkson N. Potter, House of Representatives.

"Sir:--I observe that the resolution of the House, under which your
committee is organized, singles me out personally by name from
among twenty or more gentlemen who were present, at the request of
President Grant, or the chairman of the Democratic national committee,
to attend and witness the action of the returning board upon the
presidential election returns in the State of Louisiana in 1876,
and, in substance, charges that at that election in East Feliciana
parish the Republican vote was withheld and not cast, in pursuance
and execution of a conspiracy by such voters, that in furtherance
of such conspiracy, James E. Anderson, supervisor of registration
in that parish, and D. A. Weber, supervisor of registration in West
Feliciana parish, falsely protested that such election in such
parishes had not been free and fair, and that, therefore, the
returning board of said state falsely and fraudulently excluded
votes of such precincts, and 'by means thereof, and of other false
and fraudulent action of said returning board, the choice of the
people of the state was annulled and reversed, and that such action
by the said Weber and Anderson was induced or encouraged by the
assurances of Hon. John Sherman, now Secretary of the Treasury.'

"This r