Governor Nicholls to Mr. Blaine.
Your dispatch of this morning has been received. I think only three persons among the killed are claimed as Italian subjects—Loretto Comitez, Peter Monastero, and Charles Traina. I am told the real name of Traina is Vencenzo Traina. The registrar of voters in New Orleans reports to me that all the parties killed are registered voters in New Orleans, with the exception of Monastero, Traina, Comitez, and Manuel Politz. The latter declared his intention of becoming a citizen in the criminal district court of New Orleans October 13, 1890. Traina, most of the time, has been in the parish of St. Charles, on the Sarpy plantation. I have been unable to find any record of him as to his citizenship. I will send you report sent me by the registrar. I am unable to give you, with any degree of authenticity, the past history of these parties. The reports you have heard are and have been current here. I do not know affirmatively that any of the parties are Italian subjects.
Governor.