Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1901

Signor Carignani to Mr. Hill.

[Translation.]

Embassy of His Majesty the King of Italy,
Washington, D. C., July 22, 1901.

Mr. Acting Secretary of State: A copy of the record of the inquest conducted by W. E. Hunt, sheriff of Greenville, Miss., and embodying the verdict of the jury in the matter of the lynching at Erwin, has just reached me from the royal consulate at New Orleans.

I deem it expedient to communicate to your excellency a copy of that strange document which for the sentiments therein expressed and the manner in which it is worded, deserves, in my opinion, the attention of the Federal Government.

It is scarcely necessary for me to point out the deplorable effects on the people of Washington County, Miss., and the painful impression in all parts that may be wrought by principles such as those that are recognized by a judicial officer and a commission composed of “six good and lawful men” as put in the report of inquest under consideration.

At the present time—that is to say, twelve days after the lynching—I am without advice that its perpetrators have been arrested, and since it is established by experience in the preceding cases of the same nature that the guilty never were punished, I permit myself to ask your excellency whether it may not be feasible for the Federal Government to send “detectives” to the spot on its own account for the detection of the lynchers. Such a step might facilitate the attainment of the object in view; it would also evidence the interest the Government of the United States takes in the triumph of the cause of justice and humanity. That such is the most earnest desire of the Federal Government has been over and again declared by your excellency and his excellency, Mr. Hay.

This absolute necessity of insuring a regular operation of the laws and the punishment of the guilty is also a matter of supreme interest to the Government of the King, my August Sovereign—as I have had many occasions to state it.

A telegram, received by me last night, from the minister for foreign affairs again repeats this sentiment and brings me evidence of the Sensation of grief produced by this fifth lynching.

Awaiting the communication that your excellency may be pleased to make in the matter, I renew, etc.,

Carignani.

[Inclosure.]

W. E. Hunt, sheriff and tax collector of Washington County, Greenville, Miss.

State of Mississippi, County of Washington.

It having been duly reported to the undersigned justice of the peace of said county that Vincin Cerio and Joe Cerio had, on the night of the 10th of July, 1901, been assassinated by a mob of men unknown, the said justice then proceeded to the dwelling house of one Frank Cassio at Erwin Station, Miss., where the dead bodies of the said above-named parties were found, and proceeded to impanel a jury of six good and lawful men to act, inquest jurors on said bodies. After a due examination of all evidence and examination of the bodies, returned the following verdict:

We, the jury, sitting as an inquest upon the bodies of Vincin Cerio and Joe Cerio, do find that the said Vincin Cerio and Joe Cerio came to their death by the act of God, in that they died from gunshot wounds at the hands of unknown parties to this jury.

Witness our hands this 11th day of July, 1901.

Johnson Erwin.

A. W. Mann.

V. A. Stein.

T. W. Wrencher.

G. W. Bennett.

Jerry Howe.

The above is a true copy of the proceedings of the inquest of Vincin Cerio and Joe Cerio held by me on the 11th day of July, 1901.

Witness my hand this 11th day of July, 1901.

J. M. Basket, J. P.

State of Mississippi, Washington County.

I, T. H. Hood, clerk of the chancery court in and for said county, do hereby certify that the foregoing one-half of this sheet contains a true and correct copy of the verdict of the jury of inquest upon the bodies of Vincin and Joe Cerio as the the same was certified to this office, by J. M. Basket, justice of the peace, of said county, by whose authority said inquest was held.

Given under my hand and official seal this 16th day of July, A. D. 1901.

T. H. Hood, Clerk.

Per copia conforme,

New Orleans, 18 Luglio, 1901.

[l. s.]

C. Papini, Il Reggente.