Mr. Adee to Baron de Fava.
Washington, September 20, 1899.
Excellency: The report sent thither by the governor of Louisiana comprises a report by the sheriff of Madison Parish and an indorsement by the judge. From the latter it appears that the grand jury was unable to find an indictment upon the facts before it, and that the matter will be laid anew before the grand jury. The sheriff’s report deals mainly with the incidents preceding and attending the lynching. As its statements do not fully accord with those heretofore received, it is thought that discussion and possibly fruitless controversy over unessential details may be avoided by this Government obtaining for itself more precise information, and it will be held in abeyance pending the report to be made by a special agent who will be sent forthwith to make the necessary investigations on the spot.