esolution requires you to investigate these allegations,
and upon the result of these depends the accusations against me.

"First. That there was a conspiracy among the voters to withhold
and not cast the votes, with a view to make a false charge on the
election.

"Second. That in point of fact there was a free and fair election
in East and West Feliciana, which was falsely protested and returned
by said Anderson and Weber, by which the votes of those parishes
were falsely and fraudulently excluded by the returning board.

"Third. That the offense of Anderson and Weber was encouraged by
assurances by me.

"With the view, therefore, to meet this accusation, which, so far
as it affects me, I declare and know to be absolutely destitute of
even the shadow of truth, I respectfully ask, and now make formal
application, for leave to be represented before your committee in
the investigations of all charges affecting me personally. I tender
and offer to prove that, in point of fact, the election in East
and West Feliciana parishes was governed and controlled by force,
violence and intimidation so revolting as to excite the common
indignation of all who became conversant with it, and proof was
submitted to that effect, not only before the returning board in
evidence contained in ex. doc. No. 2, second session 44th Congress,
but also in the testimony taken by the committee of the Senate on
privileges and elections, report No. 701, second session 44th
Congress.

"I will, if allowed, furnish the names of witnesses whom I desire
to examine before you to prove the truth of this statement as to
said parishes, and that the protests referred to were true, supported
by the testimony and properly acted upon and sustained by the
returning board. To my personal conduct during this examination
I invite your fair and candid scrutiny, with entire confidence that
not only myself, but my associates of both political parties, acted
honestly and properly, from a sense of public duty. I have requested
Hon. Samuel Shellabarger to deliver this to you, and I respectfully
designate him as the gentleman I would desire, on my part, to be
present to cross-examine witnesses testifying in relation to charges
against me, and who will, as my counsel, tender evidence in proof
of this statement. The favor of an early answer is requested.

"Very respectfully,
"John Sherman."

It is not necessary to detail the history of this investigation,
o