Mr. Adee to Signor Carignani.
Washington, July 30, 1901.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 22d instant in further reference to the murder of Italians at Erwin, Miss.
You communicate a copy of the record of the inquest embodying the finding of the jury in this regrettable affair, and state that on account of the strange wording of the document you deem it expedient to bring it to the attention of the Department.
While the finding of the coroner’s jury is perhaps, as you state, somewhat unusual in phraseology, it is in effect the finding customary in such cases when the evidence at the inquest does not disclose to the jury the authors of the homicide. The effect of the finding is to devolve upon the judicial authorities of the State further investigation [Page 293] of the case with a view to discovering and punishing the perpetrators of the crime. It leaves the way open for the usual course of justice in endeavoring to ascertain the “parties unknown.”
Not being advised up to the time of writing that the perpetrators of the crime had been arrested, you inquire whether it might not facilitate the cause of justice if the Federal Government should send a “detective” to the spot for the “detection of the lynchers.”
A suggestion to substantially the same effect was made by Baron Fava pending the consideration of the Tallulah incident in 1899. Baron Fava, in a telegram dated September 21 of that year, expressed the hope that the special agent appointed by the Department would “discover and denounce the criminals.” I replied, on the same date, that “in the actual status of the matter and in the absence of Federal jurisdiction over an offense committed in a State,” the agent sent to Tallulah could not assert any part in the local administration of justice, but was sent merely to collect information for the Department’s consideration and such action as might be in order.
* * * * * * *
The governor of Mississippi has assured me of his purpose to enforce the laws by all means within his power, and I am informed that the universally expressed sentiment of the community where the murders occurred deplores the crime and shows a determination to aid in the discovery and punishment of the perpetrators.
Be pleased, etc.,
Acting Secretary.