"I am, with great respect,
"John Sherman."
On the 13th of May, 1878, the charges against me assumed a different form, by the adoption, in the House of Representatives, of a preamble and resolutions offered by Clarkson N. Potter, of New York. Among the recitals of this resolution was a charge that James E. Anderson and D. A. Weber, supervisors of registration of the parishes of East and West Feliciana, falsely protested that the election in such precincts had not been fair and free, and that the returning board thereupon falsely and fraudulently 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 resolution 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.