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STATEMENT 
 
 OF 
 
 FOSTEE BLODGETT, 
 
 AND EVIDENCE, 
 
 IN EEPLY TO THB CHAKGES OF 
 
 JOSHUA HILL. 
 
 Made in the United States Senate, April 10, 1871. 
 
 ^ 
 
 ' U.S.A. 
 
 WASHmOTON, D. C, APRIL 24, 1871. 
 
^ 
 
STATEMENT. 
 
 Washington, D.C, April 24, 1871. 
 To the Honorable 
 
 The Senators of the TJ. S. Congkess : 
 
 Pkeyious to the wanton, public attack upon my private 
 character, by Joshua Hill, in the Senate of the TJnited States 
 on the 10th of April last, I had chosen to regard him as a lair 
 opponent, who would deal in facts, and use the language ot a 
 gentleman in his opposition to me. But his fierce, vmchctive 
 attack, which surprised and disgusted honorable senators on 
 that day, presents him to the world as a mahgnant falsiher, 
 and, were he not protected by his senatorial position, a slan- 
 derer of private character. 
 
 Who is Joshua Hill, who rises in the United States Senate, 
 and arraigns a republican senator elect, and opposes his ad- 
 mission to the enjoyment of the rights of his seat with your 
 
 honorable body ? ^ • ^ 
 
 He was elected to the Senate, in 1868, by a vote of nmety- 
 six democrats and ten repubhcans ! Since his admission to the 
 Senate, he has regularly caucassed with the repubhcans, and, 
 in every instance, voUd with the democrats ! 
 
 Still, in Washington, he claims to be a repubUcan, while m 
 Georgia, he is a sound democrat ! 
 
 In his speech of April 10, 1871, Joshua Hill charged me 
 with having committed perjm-y in taking the " test oath, and 
 with having been a member of a vigilant committee m 
 Augusta, in 1861, and persecuting Union and Northern men 
 
 In answer to these charges, and aU others made by Hill, 1 
 have convincing and undeniable proof of their utter falsity, 
 
and will first present a communication made by me to tlie 
 Postmaster-General, July 20, 1865, previous to receiving my 
 appointment as Postmaster at Augusta : 
 
 EVIDENCE OF FOSTER BLODGETT'S LOYALTY. 
 
 Washington, D.C, July 20, 1865. 
 To the Hon. Postmaster- General, United States. 
 
 Dear Sir, — The undersigned represents that a large num- 
 ber of the citizens of Augusta, Ga., have petitioned for his 
 appointment as Postmaster at the city of Augusta ; that he 
 has also the recommendations of the Hon. John P. King, en- 
 dorsed by the Hon. James Johnson, Provisional Governor of 
 the State of Georgia, also from the Hon. Benjamin F. Perry, 
 Provisional Governor of South Carolina, and from quite a 
 number of distinguished citizens of other states. He further 
 represents that he was, at the commencement of the late re- 
 bellion, and has been since, a Union man ; that he was the 
 President of a large Union meeting, held in Augusta, in De- 
 cember, 1860 ; that at that time he was mayor of said city of 
 Augusta, and that, both privately and officially, used his in- 
 fluence, and every effort in his power, for the preservation of 
 the Union ; that in consequence of the open and outspoken 
 course pursued by him, and the assistance rendered by him- 
 self personally, in extricating citizens of the JSTorthern States 
 from mobs and " vigilant committees," he rendered himself 
 extremely obnoxious to a large number of the people then in 
 Augusta ; that he was threatened, time and again, by anony- 
 mous letters, and* otherwise — with a coat of tar and feathers, 
 the destruction of his residence by fire, and even with death 
 itself ; that his family, consisting of a wife, four children, an 
 aged mother and a sister, were constantly in imminent peril, 
 as well as himself, from the violent mob spirit which at that 
 time prevailed ; that, ha"\ang a large family depending upon 
 him for support, and not being wealthy, it was impossible for 
 him to leave the country ; that he consulted with a number 
 of his friends who agreed with him in sentiment, and they 
 advised him to enter the army of the so-called Confederate 
 
States, that the lives of himself and family might be spared, 
 and his property saved ; that upon that advice, he did enter 
 the army for a time, but as soon as he possibly could, he with- 
 drew, and from that time, by good management, succeeded in 
 keeping out of the Confederate service. He withdrew from 
 the so-called Confederate army in April, 1862. 
 
 He would further represent, that he never was in any bat- 
 tle or skii'mish whatever, never fired a gun or di*ew a sword 
 against any soldier or citizen of the United States ; that he 
 was enlisted for twelve months, but only done servnce for about 
 half that time. He feels confident, that but for his having 
 been in the rebel army, that, strongly recommended as he is, 
 and endorsed by the Governor of his State, he would certain- 
 ly receive the office he seeks ; but wishing to conceal nothing, 
 he makes this statement, which can be substantiated by a 
 number of as good Union men, in Augusta, as ever lived. He 
 hopes that his reasons for having been found in the rebel army 
 for a short time, may not appear voluntary, but for the pur- 
 pose of protecting himself and family. He can conscientious- 
 ly take the oath of office prescribed by Congress, and will do 
 it if necessary ; but still, for the purpose of preventing any in- 
 sinuations from parties not conversant with the circumstances, 
 would prefer a slight modification. He represents that he 
 was always very popular in Augusta, never having failed to be 
 elected, till he took the course he did in defence of the Union. 
 He therefore respectfully prays that he may be appointed 
 Postmaster of Augusta, in consonance with the wishes of a 
 large majority of the citizens of that city. 
 
 All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 (Signed,) Fostee Blodgett. 
 
 P. S. — I would respectfully refer to the Hon. Benj. F. Per- 
 ry, Provisional Governor of South Carolina, and the whole 
 delegation who are now in this city. Also, to all the original 
 Union men of Augusta, Ga., where I have lived during my 
 whole life, except for a short time during the rebellion. 
 
 (Signed,) F. B. 
 
6 
 
 Post-Office Depaetmetstt, Appoi:srTME]SiT Office, 
 
 Januarij 9, 1868. 
 
 I certify the foregoing to be a true copy of an original let- 
 ter on file in this office. 
 
 St. John B. S. Skinner, 
 First Assf. P.M. Gen. 
 
 By the foregoing it will be seen I made a fi'ee, frank, open 
 statement of my connection with the rebellion to the Post- 
 master General, attempting to conceal nothing, and desiring 
 to do nothing wrong. 
 
 Upon my statement to the P. M. General, that gentleman 
 decided that I could take the oath, which is shown by the fol- 
 lowing letter from Gov. Bullock, to Hon. A. T. Akerman, 
 Attorney General. 
 
 Executive Department, State of Georgia, 
 
 Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 1st, 18T0. 
 
 Hon. Amos T. Akerman, AUy. Genl., TJ. S. : 
 
 Sir, — At the request of the counsel for Hon. Foster Blodgett 
 I take pleasure in making a written statement of a fact that I 
 would testify to upon oath in court, if Mr. B. should be forced 
 to stand a trial upon the malicious prosecution which political 
 influence has caused to be broug-ht ag-ainst him. 
 
 In the year 1865 I made an application for the appointment 
 of Post Master at Augusta, and the Hon. Mr. Dennison, then 
 P. M. Gen'L, had decided to give me the appointment. After 
 this decision I learned that a large portion of the citizens of 
 Augusta desired the appointment of Mr. Blodgett to that office, 
 and that he was endorsed by Gov. Johnson and other promi- 
 nent men. Knowing that Mr. B. was competent and worthy, 
 and had been a Union man, though unavoidably connected for 
 a time with the rebel army, I decided to withdraw in favor 
 of his appointment, provided he could qualify. 
 
 Mr. Blodgett then made a written statement of his course 
 and of his connection with the Confederacy, and filed it with 
 the P. M. Gen'l., and upon reading this statement and hearing 
 my explanation, Geii'l. Dennison expressed the opinion that 
 
2£r. Blodgett could qualify ^ and with that understanding the 
 appointment was made. 
 
 There was no concealment, or attempt made in that direc- 
 tion, of the connection which Mr. Blodgett had for a time 
 maintained with the Confederacy, and the oath of office vms 
 not talcen until after these statements had heen considered hy 
 the P. 31. GenH., and he was satisfied that Mr. B. could con- 
 scientiously swear that his connection with the rebellion was 
 not voluntary. 
 
 Yery respectfully, 
 
 (Signed,) Rufus B. Bullock. 
 
 The above statements of facts are from my own personal 
 knowledge. B. 
 
 As will be hereafter seen, the statement to the P. M. Gen'l. 
 is corroborated and fully proven by voluminous evidence. 
 
 In order to show I was not the willing and swift disunion- 
 ist Hill would make me out to be, I will present various 
 anonymous letters I received, being but a few of those sent 
 me, but all I can lay my hands on now : 
 
 ANONYMOUS LETTERS. 
 
 (1.) 
 
 ArGUSTA, April 10, 1861. 
 Mk. Foster Blodgett : 
 
 Sm, — Eemarks made by you of late in opposition to seces- 
 sion and in favor of the U. S. Government, renders it neces- 
 sary for you to at once enter the Confederate army or be 
 severely dealt with. The opposition against you is of such 
 a character as to lead to the most fatal results. Your rescue 
 of that man, Thayer, has never been forgotten or excused. 
 He should have been hung, and if you are not soon in the 
 Southern army you will share the fate he so justly deserved. 
 So if you desire to live act promptly. "J. word to the wise is 
 sufficient.''^ W. 
 
(2.) 
 
 Augusta, April 12, 1861. 
 
 Mk. Foster Blodgett : 
 
 Sm, — I wrote you two or three days ago, telling you that 
 you must go at once into the army. I have seen no indication 
 of your doing so. I now write to say that you have been ad- 
 judged a traitor to the South and deserve death, which will 
 be surely inflicted upon you, but we prefer you should go into 
 the Southern army, and perhaps you may be killed by some 
 of your d****d Yankee friends. You have said at the Court 
 House that you " never would fight against the United States." 
 Now you have your choice either to go into our anny or be 
 assassinated. You will be called upon by one of our men per- 
 sonally, in a day or two. Look well to your Residence, to 
 your head. Think of your Wife, children, mother and sister 
 tui'ned out houseless and homeless and you a corpse. Go, Go, 
 Go, to the army or die. "^ word to the wise is sufficient.'''' 
 
 (3.) 
 
 Augusta, April lUh, '61. 
 
 Mr. Blodgett, — I write to inform you, although personally 
 unacquainted, that there is a conspiracy to take your life and 
 destroy your property. Last night I heard at a disreputable 
 house some of their plans. You are to be secretly murdered, 
 and fire set to your dwelling, unless you enter the army. 
 Some of them were for killing you anyhow, but it was deter- 
 mined that your life would be spared if you joined the army 
 right ofi". There was about fifteen of them. Barney Willis 
 and Henry Porter were the most bitter against you. I write 
 this as a duty, and advise you to join at once. Please don't 
 say anything about this letter, or they might kill me. I am 
 from the North, and the only thing they seem to have against 
 you is yom- kindness to the Yankees, and your hostility to 
 secession. Yours, F. 
 
9 
 
 (4.) 
 
 Augusta, April 16, 1861. 
 
 Mr. Foster Blodgett, — Mr. H. J. P. has reported that he 
 saw you and you promised to join. I write to say you are 
 watched and your footsteps are dogged. You can't fool us. 
 So beware, for there are over twenty of us who have taken 
 the most solemn oath to kill you if you do not go into the 
 Southern army. ISTow, don't make this public, for if you do 
 you will die. Of course you only know positively one of our 
 party, but I assure you the remainder are as determined as 
 he, and wi 1 avenge anything that may happen to him. Go 
 at once into the army as you ought, and all will be well with 
 thee and thine. W. 
 
 Mr. " H. J. P." mentioned in the above letter, was, un- 
 doubtedly, designed for Henry J. Porter, mentioned in the 
 letter signed "F." 
 
 The following affidavits establish the authenticity of the 
 anonymous letters : 
 
 State of Georgia, Richmond County. 
 
 Personally appeared before me, Samuel Levy, a Justice of 
 the Inferior Court of said County, William H. StaUings and 
 Shadrach S. Pardue, who being by me duly sworn, depose 
 and say. That they verily believe the letters accompanying 
 this affidavit are a portion of the letters received by Foster 
 Blodgett in April, 1861, that a large number of anonymous 
 letters were shown to them by said Foster Blodgett in said 
 month of April, 1861, which said letters were all generally of 
 the import of those now exhibited, signed " W " and " F," 
 and were all of the most threatening character. Deponents 
 further state, That they are citizens of Augusta in said Coun- 
 ty, well known in said City ; That they were well acquainted 
 with public sentiments in said City before the war, and that 
 the utmost violence of feeling was manifested by the turbulent 
 among the people against the said Foster Blodgett for the 
 stand he had taken in opposing secession, and in aiding the 
 objects of enmity of the Yigilance Committee to escape. 
 Deponent S. S. Pardue further swears, That when the 
 
10 
 
 company commanded bv said Foster Blodgett was raising, he 
 desired to go in it, but be was dissuaded by said Foster Blod- 
 gett, who advised him not to go — said Foster Blodgett stating 
 that be would not go himself if he was not compelled to do 
 80. W. H. Stallings, 
 
 S. S. Pardfe. 
 
 Sworn and subscribed before me this Sept. 3d, 1867. 
 Samuel Levy, J. I. C. R. C. 
 
 State of Georgia, Richmond County. 
 
 Personally appeared Eliza S. Blodgett and Mary E. Ells, 
 who, being duly sworn, say, that they are the mother and sis- 
 ter of Foster Blodgett, of said county ; that it comes within 
 then- knowledge, that the sentiment of a large number of the 
 people of the city of Augusta, in said county, was exceedingly 
 violent against said Foster, on account of his Union feeling; 
 and that numerous letters were received by him, threatening 
 death, the burning of his residence, and other outrages, before 
 the war ; and that he went into the army, not from any desire 
 to benefit the rebellion, but solely on account of the reason- 
 able fears he entertained for his person, property and family. 
 
 Eliza S. Blodgett, 
 Mart E. Ells. 
 
 Sworn to and subscribed before me this 3d day of Septem- 
 ber, 1867. David S. Boats, 
 
 Not. Pub. B. a, Ga. 
 
 The following affidavit of Wm. H. Stallings, one of the 
 Btaunchest and most respectable citizens of Augusta, attests my 
 Unioniam, and that my life was violentl}^ threatened by Henry 
 J. Porter, openly and publicly to my face : 
 
 THE KU-KLUX OF 18G1. 
 State of Georgia, Fulton County. 
 
 Before me, a notary public, in and for said county, this day, 
 came William H. Stallings, and on oath makes the following 
 statement : 
 
 That he is now, and was in 1860 and 1861, a resident of 
 
11 
 
 Augusta, in this State ; and that in said city, in the fall of 
 1860, and winter and spring of 1861, there existed a highly 
 intense feeling and bitterness against any person known to be 
 opposed to secession. That Foster Blodgett was, in the fall 
 and winter of 1860 and 1861, a known, open Union man, and 
 presided, in December, at a Union meeting in the city. Much 
 bitterness and denunciation was directed against Mr. Blodgett, 
 and other Unionists, dm^ing the winter. 
 
 After the war broke out, and men commenced going into 
 the Confederate army, this feeling against Union men became 
 more heated ; so that most Union men who could, had left the 
 city. There was a very heavy pressure, to force men into the 
 Confederate army, and to my personal knowledge, many 
 threats were made against Union men who declined or hesi- 
 tated to engage in the Confederate service. 
 
 Mr. Blodgett was, and for years had been, a prominent pol- 
 itician in Angusta; and during the spring of 1861, I have 
 myself seen him take from the post-office "• bucket letters,"* and 
 I have read the same, which letters threatened his life, and to 
 burn his property, etc., unless he entered the Confederate 
 army. 
 
 In April^ 1861, Mr. Blodgett and I were walking the public 
 streets^ and met H. B. Willis and Henry J. Porter. Porter was- 
 a man of much influence among the rash and violent men^ and 
 was himself a notorious secessionist and violent man. 
 
 They both coramenced abusing us, hut especially 3Ir. Blod- 
 gett i and Porter and Willis said publicly to Blodgett, tlicd if he 
 did not join the Confederate army, that his life would be taken. 
 Porter said, '"''I will kill you myself. I am selected as a com- 
 mittee of one by the vigilance committee, to notify you that we 
 will kill you, if you do not volunteer. You cannot escape by 
 leaving ; tue will follow you, and kill yoit^ Much other abus- 
 ive language was used : the general tenor of all being, that 
 Blodgett must join the Confederate army, or neither himself, 
 his family, or property would escape violence. 
 
 Shortly after this, Mr. Blodgett entered the Confederate 
 army. He told me several times before he went into the 
 army, that he only did so to escape the violence to himself 
 
 * Note.— In the South anony mous letters arc called " Bucket Letters." 
 
12 
 
 and family, with which he was clearly threatened. He talked 
 with me, showed me the anonjTiious letters he had received, 
 and advised with me about it. I saw two of the letters at his 
 office door, (left in the night,) and read them. 
 
 I thought his life and property in danger, and advised him 
 to go. And it is my judgment now, that if he had not gone 
 to the army, he would have been killed. I advised him to go. 
 I heard so many threats, from many persons, against Mr. 
 T31odgett, for his known opinions, that I thought his life not 
 safe. (Signed,) William H. Stalling. 
 
 Sworn and subscribed before me, this 1st September, 1870. 
 
 H. I. G. Williams, 
 
 Not Pah., F. a 
 
 Hon. Benj. Conley, President of the Georgia State Senate, 
 wrote the following letter to the U. S. Attorney-General : 
 
 WORDS OF TRUTH. 
 
 Atlajstta, Ga., Sept. 1st, 1870. 
 
 Hon. Amos T. Akerman, Atty.- General U. S. 
 
 Dear Sib,— At the request of Mr. Foster Blodgett, I write 
 this note to say that I have known him from boyhood, and 
 during all that time had every confidence in his honesty and 
 integrity, I know of my own knowledge that Mr. B, was an 
 ardent friend of the Union and opjX)sed secession with all his 
 power and influence, that he presided over the last Union 
 meeting held in Augusta previous to the Rebellion. That in 
 consequence of his open stand and out spoken course he was 
 threatened with violence and the destruction of his property 
 unless he should enter the Confederate service, that he com- 
 municated these threats to his friends then in Augusta, among 
 them to the late Thos. S. Metcalf and myself, asking our 
 advice in the matter, that we advised him, that, for the pur- 
 pose of saving his own life and being at peace, he had better 
 go into said service for a time. Ihnow that he did not volun- 
 tarily enter said service, but did so for the reasons above 
 named, and others which might be stated. I make this state- 
 
13 
 
 ment of facts witliin my own knowledge as an act of justice to 
 my friend Mr. Blodgett. 
 
 With sincere regards I am, Yery Respectfully, 
 
 Your ob't. Servt., 
 (Signed,) Benj. Conlet. 
 
 State of Georgia, Richmond County. 
 
 Before me Eichard W. Maher, a Justice of tlie Peace in and 
 for said County, this day came William Crittenden, who on 
 oath says that he now is, and for many years has been a 
 citizen of Augusta, Georgia, That in 1860 and 1861 he was to 
 a large extent familiar with the talk of the secession party in 
 Augusta, That Mr. Foster Blodgett was the special mark for 
 the hatred of the secessionists — he having labored to get up a 
 Union meeting in the city, and he also openly professing to be 
 a Union man at all hazards. This deponent knows that Mr. 
 Blodgett was forced into the Confederate ai-my from the fol- 
 lowing facts. Mr. Blodgett Wyis asked in a public crowd after 
 the war hrohe out if he was not now willing to fight for the 
 South, and he replied he was determined never to fight against 
 his Government. Witness heard him say this. It was upon 
 this, determined by many to force him to do so. Witness has 
 heard many speak of this statement of Blodgett — declare him 
 a traitor, and say that he should fight against the U. S., and 
 especial eifort was made by various persons by open threats, 
 anonymous letters, and otherwise to force Mr. Blodgett to go 
 into the Confederate army. 
 
 Witness has a personal knowledge of these facts, and says 
 that this remark of Blodgett's made publicly at the Court House 
 gave great offence, and was the occasion and reason why 
 special resolves and efforts were made to force Mr. Blodgett 
 rather than others into the Confederate army. 
 
 (Signed,) Wm. Crittenden. 
 
 Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9th day of Septem- 
 ber, 1870. 
 
 (Signed,) Richard W. Maher, J. P. 
 
14 
 
 "When tlie indictment for perjury was pending the following 
 testimonial was given me, signed by some of the most honored 
 citizens of Augusta, of all jDolitical shades of opinion : 
 
 State of Georgia, Richmond County. 
 
 The undersigned citizens of Augusta hereby certify that 
 they have been personally acquainted with Foster Blodgett, 
 of said County, for many years ; that they were acquainted 
 with the sentiments of said Foster Blodgett in relation to se- 
 cession, and the motives which induced him to enter the Con- 
 federate army; that he was violently opposed to secession, 
 and exerted all his influence against it, and entered said Con- 
 federate service solely on account of the great odium excited 
 against 1dm hy the ultra secessionists and the threats of violence 
 uttered against hi?n and Ids 2)'''02)erty in the event of Ids failure to 
 go into said service. 
 
 (Signed,) 
 
 Benj. Conley, Ephraim Tweedy, David L. Roath, 
 
 William Doyle, George McKenney, Wm. P. Rhodes, 
 
 A. Deas, B. H. Broadnax, Thos. R. Rhodes, 
 
 Thos. N. Philpot, D. G. Cotting, Amos P. Wiggins, 
 
 Jas. R. W. Johnston, Thos. T. Wright, Thos. S. Skinner, 
 
 Jas. B. Rodgers, J. E. Burch, W. E. Broadnax, 
 
 J. Danforth, Thos. S. JVIetcalf, John P. King, 
 
 Wm. C. Derry, Wm. Shear, John Coskery, 
 
 G. Crawford Rhodes. 
 
 While the charge of perjury was pending against me in the 
 U. S. Court, at Savannah, Col. Henry S. Fitch, formerly U. S. 
 District- Attorney, and who procured the indictment against me, 
 addressed the following letter to Judge Lochrane, my counsel, 
 showing that he had been made a tool of by my political op- 
 ponents to injure me on account of my political opinion : 
 
 POLITICAL PERSECUTION. 
 
 New Tokk, March 27, 1870. 
 Dear Judge, — I have seen Mr. Foster Blodgett, and he 
 has introduced the subject of his approaching trial and in- 
 
15 
 
 forms me that you are one of liis counsel. Of course my past 
 official relations to this somewhat celebrated case makes it a 
 matter of considerable delicacy for me to express any opinion 
 as to its real merits ; justice, however, to Mr. Blodgett, as 
 well as to his friends, seems to require that I should, when 
 called upon, personally give him, as well as my successor in 
 office, the benefit of my opinion, to be by them taken for 
 whatever it may be worth. For a long time I scorned to be- 
 lieve that there could be any political animus at the bottom 
 of the complaints made against him, and thought the only ohject 
 VMS to vindicate the laio. Subsequent events have convinced 
 me that such ivas not the case, and I really regret that I toas 
 made use of in this connection. If Mr. Akerman should enter 
 a nolle prosequi in the case it would only, in my opinion, be 
 an act of justice. I have seen the Attorney-General upon 
 the subject, in order that my motives might not be misunder- 
 stood, and while he does not deem it his province to instruct 
 his District- Attornej^s in such matters, but leaves it entirely 
 optional with them, he expressed a desire that I should give 
 my views to Mr. Akerman, and I have no doubt would be 
 glad to see it ended amicably. 
 
 I will see you in Savannah at Court. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 (Signed,) Henry S. Fitch, 
 
 Late V. S. District- Attorney. 
 
 The following letter from Gen. Henry R. Jackson, of Sar 
 vannah, one of the most distinguished lawyers and gentlemen 
 in the State of Georgia, to the U. S. District-Attorney, but 
 speaks the truth as to the justness of my course. 
 
 An influential member of the Democratic Party, which 
 latter fact gives his testimony great weight. 
 
 Savannah, Ga., Oct., 25, 1869. 
 Hon. John Milledge, U. S. District- Attorney, etc. 
 
 My Dear Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the re- 
 ceipt of your letter of the 22d inst. If I am to understand 
 that you desire such information as will aid you in deciding 
 for yourself a question of official duty, as to whether you shall 
 
16 
 
 press further the prosecution against my client, Mr. Blodgett, 
 I have no objection to giving you the light which, as his at- 
 torney, I possess. At the same time, as custodian of his char- 
 acter in this criminal prosecution, it is proper for me to state 
 that, while I cannot resist, I by no means seek other termina- 
 tion to the case than a verdict of acquittal by a jury. 
 
 I have no doubt that he will be triumphantly acquitted by 
 an honest jury. 
 
 Mr. Blodgett placed in my hands for his defence, certificates 
 from a number of respectable witnesses, to the effect that he 
 had been threatened with the harshest treatment of himself 
 and his family, should he fail to enter the Confederate service ; 
 that these thicats had resulted from his well-known antagon- 
 ism to the secession of Georgia from the United States. He 
 also confided to my keeping, a number of letters written by 
 himself to his wife, upon the eve of joining the Confederate 
 army, in which he fully developed the motives whicli prompt- 
 ed, or rather the apprehensions which constrained him, to take 
 the step. It may be proper to add, that these letters bore un- 
 mistakable evidence of their genuineness ; not simply in their 
 dates, but in paper, envelopes, and postage stamps. They es- 
 tablish the fact that he did not " voluntarily'' enter the mili- 
 tary sei-vice of the Confederate States. 
 
 Before taking the oath, alleged to be perjury, Mr. Blodgett 
 made in writing, and placed on file, in the P. O. Department 
 at "Washington, a succinct statement of his connection with 
 the Confederate army, and causes which induced it. Upon 
 this statement, he submitted the question to the Postmaster- 
 General, whether it would be proper for him to take the oath, 
 and was answered in the affirmative. Mr. Blodgett was sur- 
 prised by the fact that this document^iry evidence in his de- 
 fense was not allowed before the Grand Jury. It is a great 
 misfortune that there should have been ex-parte action in a 
 matter so seriously involving his character. 
 
 Very respectfully yours, 
 
 Henry K. Jackson. 
 
17 
 
 ELECTED TO U. S. SENATE. 
 
 While the perjury suit was pending against me, I was elect- 
 ed, by the Georgia Legislature, to the U. S. Senate, for six 
 years, from the 4th of March, 1871, but, in the following let- 
 ter to Governor Bullock, setting forth my views upon the sit- 
 uation, I declined to receive a certificate of election, until the 
 charge of perjury had been withdrawn, or I had been ac- 
 quitted : 
 
 IMPOETANT CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 Atlanta, Febrxmry 16, 1870. 
 To His Excellency, Rufus B. Bullock : 
 
 Sir, — Having been elected by the Legislature of the State 
 of Georgia, one of her representatives in the Senate of the 
 United States, it becomes a part of your official duty to issue 
 to me a certificate of my election. My object in addressing 
 you at this time is to request that you withhold such certifi- 
 cate for the present. I am well aware that such a request 
 coming from myself, will appear singular and unprecedented. 
 You will, therefore, pardon me, if I enter somewhat at large 
 upon the motive which prompts me to make the same. 
 
 It is a matter of history, and I can, therefore, say it with- 
 out being accused of anything like self-praise, that ever since 
 the Republican party was organized in Georgia, I have been 
 identified, and my name has been connected with it. I pre- 
 sided at the last ITnion meeting held in Georgia, and was 
 President of the^r.<?z! RepubKcan convention ever held in the 
 State. I have labored for the cause of reconstruction without 
 intermission, from the first to the last, with all the ability and 
 influence which I may possess. 
 
 Bom in Georgia, and having the interest and well-being of 
 my native State at heart, 1 sincerely and deeply felt that both 
 would be best promoted by the success of the EepubUcan 
 party, and the speedy admission of the State, in the manner 
 and under the conditions prescribed by Congress. These 
 views and those of the Union party, although now in the as- 
 cendant, were for a time unpopular ; and although I knew my 
 political conduct would expose me to all manner of opposi- 
 tion, both political and personal, I yet persevered in the course 
 2 
 
18 
 
 I had marked out for myself. Calumny and slander liad no 
 effect to make me falter, or surrender my principles. As your 
 Excellency is well aware, every engine of malice and abuse 
 was put in operation, and if I received a larger portion of 
 venom than others, it was only because I was prominent, earn- 
 est and persistent in my advocacy of the Union cause. 
 
 My enemies are only those who are also the enemies of re- 
 construction. It was for the purpose of blasting my character 
 and destroying my influence, that an indictment, known to be 
 founded upon no facts to sustain it, was, for political purposes 
 trumped up against me. 
 
 Although no effort has been made, or was ever intended to be 
 made, to prosecute it to effect, yet it still stands in the Court. 
 I have no fear of it, or its consequences ; and that this effort 
 has had no effect here in Georgia, I think I can safely aflSrm, 
 in view of the vote which I have so lately received for the 
 high position of United States Senator. 
 
 I was unanimously nominated at the Republican caucus by 
 acclamation. The nomination was spontaneously and cheer- 
 fully made, as an endorsement of my political record and per- 
 sonal character. 
 
 Upon the election in the Legislature, I received every Re- 
 publican vote, without exception, while many among the 
 Democrats, believing that I had been persecuted without a 
 cause, also voted for me. Under this state of facts, it may be 
 asked why I should desire you to withhold the certificate of 
 my election ; but, sir, I feel it to be due to the great cause of 
 Reconstruction, and the noble, true hearted Republican party 
 of Georgia, that I should enter the United States Senate, if I 
 enter it at all, without a stain upon my record or a blot upon 
 my character. 
 
 Although those who procured the indictment alluded to, 
 now confess that it was only done for political effect, am^d 
 rests unsupported hy amy proof yet it is there, and never 
 until it is withdrawn, or I have heen triumphantly acquitted, 
 can I, 01' will I accept of the position to which the honorable 
 suffrages of my political friends have elevated me. 
 
 I thank them sincerely for this flattering testimonial of their 
 appreciation of my political services and personal character ; 
 
19 
 
 but for the reasons already stated, I request your Excellency 
 to withhold the certificate of my election. 
 
 Believing that justice in this matter will now be meted out 
 to me, I remain with high respect, 
 
 Tour obedient servant, 
 
 ^ Foster Blodgett. 
 
 ExECTJTivE Department, 
 Atlanta, Ga. Fel. 16, 1870. 
 
 Hon. Foster Blodgett, TJnited States Senator elect: 
 
 My Dear See, — Your communication of this date request- 
 ing me, for reasons which are highly creditable to yourself, 
 both in your position as a public man and in your character 
 as a Christian citizen, to withhold the certificate which wiU 
 entitle you to your seat in. the United States Senate, is 
 received. 
 
 In thus acknowledging the receipt of the request, and an- 
 nouncing to you that I shall comply with it by withholding 
 the certificate until the charge against you, which we all know 
 was brought solely for its political effect, " is withdrawn, or I 
 [you] have been triumphantly acquitted," I cannot withhold 
 the expression of my gratification as a Republican, that it has 
 been the good fortune of the party in this State to show to the 
 country that the person whom it has continuously chosen as 
 its chairman since its first organization, is a man who can rise 
 above the temptations and allm'ements of one of the highest 
 oflaces in the gift of the people, and decline to take upon him- 
 self its honors and its responsibilities, until, by the proper 
 action of the courts, malicious charges which have been brought 
 against him to destroy his character and his pohtical influence, 
 shall have been withdrawn or disproved. 
 
 Thanking you in the name of the party for this renewed 
 evidence of your desire to promote its welfare and its success, 
 I am 
 
 Yery truly yours, 
 
 KuFus B. Bullock. 
 
20 
 
 In commenting upon the above action, the Atlanta New 
 Era of Feb. 17, 18T0, published the following editorial : 
 
 Hon. Fostek Blodgett and the United States Senate. 
 
 The correspondence which we publish this morning, be- 
 tween Hon. Foster Blodgett, United States Senator elect, and 
 his Excellency, the Governor, will arrest attention. 
 
 Nothing connected with the history of Georgia politics, 
 dui'ing the last five years, is better undei-stood here than the 
 utter falsity of the charges alluded to in this correspondence ; 
 and there lives not in Georgia a well-informed, fair-minded 
 man who does not honestly believe that those charges were 
 prefen-ed solely for the purpose of impairing Mr. Blodgett's 
 political influence. 
 
 Honest and sincere in his convictions, bold and uncom- 
 promising in the annunciation of his political faith, zealous 
 and vigilant in all things pertaining to the interests of the lie- 
 publican party in Georgia, Mr. Blodgett early became a 
 powerful political leader, and therefore a formidable obstacle 
 in the way of those whose political fortunes and personal 
 aggrandisements were contingent upon the defeat of the Re- 
 publican organization in this State. It is a species of political 
 warfare peculiar, in many respects, to a set of local politicians 
 and reactionists in and about the City of Augusta, and which, 
 we regret to say, has been generally adopted by the leaders 
 of the Ku-Klux Democracy throughout the State. Their 
 policy is to decline meeting an opponent upon the merits of 
 the issue in controversy ; to ignore argument ; to substitute 
 personal abuse of the most shameless and disgusting charac- 
 ter, for legitimate discussion ; and in order to cripple the in- 
 fluence of a political opponent, to utter charges and institute 
 legal proceedings which they know to be utterly groundless 
 and wholly without merits. 
 
 False and malignant as these charges against Mr. Blodgett 
 are known to be here, they nevertheless might have a ten- 
 dency to impair the interests of the State, were he to claim 
 recognition at "Washington as Senator for the long term. And 
 although many of Mr. Blodgett's friends wiU regret his de- 
 cision as set forth in the correspondence referred to, it never- 
 
21 
 
 theless shows to the world that he has more concern for the 
 interests of his native State, and the triumphant vindication 
 of the great principles of the Republican party, than for his 
 own personal aggrandisement. It is an example of self-sacri- 
 ficing devotion to the party and to the interests of Georgia, 
 which should be emulated by true men everywhere, and 
 which will be a standing rebuke to those whose conduct in 
 political life justifies the suspicion that they seek their own 
 promotion rather than their country's good. 
 
 There has seldom lived, in any age or country, a public 
 man who has been the object of so much shameless personal 
 abuse as has Mr. Blodgett. Only a few weeks since, in this 
 city, he was arraigned before one of our local tribunals upon a 
 charge of assault with intent to murder ! This charge was 
 made by a political opponent, and for no other purpose than that 
 of weakening Mr. Blodgett's influence at Washington. The 
 investigation disclosed the fact that the indictment was not 
 only wholly unsupported, but that Mr. Blodgett appeared 
 only in the capacity of peace-maker, and that the very man 
 who procured the indictment probably owes his life to Mr. 
 Blodgett's interference to preserve the peace ! We allude to 
 this fact only for the purpose of showing how utterly un- 
 scrupulous have been the means employed to break his in- 
 fluence ; and we take this occasion to say that an investiga- 
 tion of the charges alluded to in the correspondence between 
 himself and the Governor, will reveal how utterly groundless 
 have been the calumnies against his good name as a private 
 gentleman. 
 
 TREED AND ACQUITTED. 
 
 On the 21st of November, 1870, I, through my counsel, 
 succeeded in getting my case to trial, and the following copy 
 of the minutes of the U. S. Circuit Court, shows / ivas tried by 
 a jury, and acquitted ; notwithstanding Hill said, in his speech 
 against me, that the indictment was " quashed," and I was 
 not acquitted by a jury of my countrymen : 
 
22 
 
 EXEMPLIFICATION OF MINUTES OF CIRCUIT COURT. 
 
 United States of Ameeica, Southern District of Georgia^ ss. 
 
 I, James McPlierson, Clerk of the Fifth Circuit Court of 
 the United States for the Southern District of Georgia, do 
 hereby certify that John Erskine, Esq., who signed the within 
 certificate, is, and was at the time of signing the same, a 
 Judge of the Fifth Circuit Court of the United States for the 
 Southern District of Georgia, duly commissioned and quali- 
 fied ; and that full faith and credit ought to be given to his 
 acts and attestations, given as such. 
 
 In witness whereof, I have hereto set my hand and the seal 
 of said Court, this tenth day of December, in the year of 
 our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy. 
 Jajvies McPherson, 
 [seal.] Clerh Fifth Circuit Court of said District. 
 
 United States of America, Southern District of Georgia, ss. 
 
 I, John Erskine, Judge of the District Court of the United 
 States for the Southern District of Georgia, do hereby certify 
 that James McPherson, who signed the within certificate, is, 
 and was at the time of signing the same, the Clerk of the Dis- 
 trict and Circuit Courts of the United States for the Southern 
 District of Georgia; that full faith and credit ought to be 
 given to his acts and attestations given as such, and that his 
 said certificate and authentication of the foregoing transcript 
 is in due form. 
 
 In witness whereof, I have hereto set my hand this tenth day 
 of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
 
 hundred and seventy. 
 
 John Erskine, 
 
 Judge of the District Court of said District. 
 
 In the Fifth Circuit Court of the United States for the 
 
 Southern District of Georgia. 
 
 November Term, 1870. 
 
 At a Circuit Court of the United States for the Fifth Circuit, 
 begun to be holden at Savannah, in and for the Southern 
 
23 
 
 District of Georgia, on the tenth day o^ November, in the 
 year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy. 
 Present, the Honorable William B. Woods, United States 
 Judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, and the Honorable 
 John Erskine, United States Judge for the District of 
 Georgia, presiding. 
 
 Monday, November 21st, 1870. 
 
 The United States 
 
 vs. 
 
 Foster Blodgett. 
 
 Indictment for Perjury. 
 
 True bill found in the District Court of the United States 
 for Southern District of Georgia, November 29th, 1867. 
 
 Kemitted to the Circuit Court, February 11th, 1868. 
 
 This day came the United States by John D. Pope, district 
 attorney ; also came defendant in his own proper person, and 
 by his counsel and the said defendant waiving arraignment, 
 and put to plead, and the said indictment read to him, pleaded 
 thereto " not guilty." 
 
 Thereupon, to try the issue joined between the United 
 
 States and the said defendant, a jury being called, came — to 
 
 wit: 1. James Ennis, foreman. 2. Curtis G. Lowe. 3. T. B. 
 
 Whitfield. 4. Grenby G. Jordan. 5. Isaac L. Avant. 6. 
 
 Joseph Danguix. 7. Charles Maclahan. 8. J. E. Mann. 
 
 9. J. T. Wilbur. 10. Charles A. Keith. 11. Alexander 
 
 Doyle. 12. M. S. Yerdery. Who, being empanelled, and 
 
 sworn the truth to speak upon said issue, and true verdict 
 
 render, according to the law and the evidence upon their 
 
 oaths, do find and say as follows, to- wit : 
 
 <" We, the jury, find the defendant not guilty. November 
 
 21,1870. (Signed,) ^ ^ ^ „ 
 
 James Ennis, Foreman:' 
 
 Thereupon, it is considered by the Court that the said de- 
 fendant go hence without delay. 
 
24 
 
 Southern District of Georgia : 
 
 I, James McPherson, Clerk of the Fifth Circuit Court of 
 the United States for the Southern District of Georgia, do 
 hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true copy of 
 the proceedings had in the cause therein stated, as they appear 
 on the minutes of the said Court, and of Kecord. 
 
 Witness my official signature and seal of said 
 [seal.] Court at Savannah, in said district, this 
 
 tenth day of December, Anno Domini eight- 
 een hundred and seventy. 
 
 James McPherson, Clerk. 
 
 The Governor, upon hearing of my acquittal addressed me 
 the following letter, enclosing my certificate of election to the 
 TJ. S. Senate, which is before your honorable body, and a 
 a copy of which follows the letter : 
 
 Executive Depaetment, State of Georgia. 
 
 Atlanta, Ga., Novemher 30, 1870. 
 Hon. Foster Blodgett, Senator Elect. 
 
 Dear Sib, — On the 16th day of February last, you re- 
 quested that I would withhold your certificate of election to 
 the Senate of the United States, and notified me as follows : 
 " Although those who procured the indictment alluded to, now 
 confess that it was only done for pohtical effect, and rests un- 
 supported by any proof, still it is there, and never, until it has 
 been withdrawn or I have been triumphantly acquitted can I 
 or will I accept the position to which the honorable suff'rages 
 of my fellow citizens have elevated me," — and now with con- 
 gratulations that even at this late day tardy justice has been 
 awarded to you by your full and absolute acquittal by a jury 
 of your fellow citizens, of the malicious charges which have 
 been made against you for political effect, I have the honor 
 and the pleasure to hand you enclosed your certificate as a 
 duly elected Senator in the Congress of the United States for 
 the term commencing with the 4th day of March next. 
 
 It is not possible for you to be in any manner compensated 
 for the terrible ordeal of malignant persecution and abuse 
 
25 
 
 which has been heaped upon you by the ingenuity and iniquity 
 of your poHtical opponents, but you have for yourself and family 
 and for your children who shall survive you, the satisfaction 
 and justification of receiving the united support and endorse- 
 ment of the loyal republican citizens of your native State, in 
 your selection for, and election to, the highest official position 
 under the Government and Constitution of the United States. 
 For yourself personally and officially, you will, I trust, 
 accept my expressions of great regard and high esteem. 
 
 Yery truly yours, 
 RuFus B. Bullock. 
 
 STATE OF GEOKGLA.. 
 
 To the honorahle the Pt'esident of the Senate of the United 
 States, greeting : 
 
 This is to certify that Hon. Foster Blodgett was duly elected 
 in accordance with an act of Congress to regulate the times and 
 manner of holding elections for Senators in Congress, ap- 
 proved July 25, 1866, a Senator for a term beginning with 
 the 4th day of March, 1871, and ending with the 3d day of 
 March, J-877, in the representation of this State in the Senate 
 of the United States. 
 
 Given under my hand and the great seal of the State, at the 
 capitol, in the City of Atlanta, the 16th day of February, 
 in the year of our Lord 18T0, and of the Independence of 
 the United States of America the ninety-fom-th. 
 
 [l. s.] Rueus B. Bullock. 
 
 By the Governor : 
 
 David G. Cotting, 
 
 Secretary of State. 
 I DID NOT BELONG TO A VIGILANCE COMMITTEE. 
 
 Now, as to my having been a member of a vigilance com- 
 mittee in 1861, to persecute and drive away Union and 
 Northern men, I would call especial attention to the letter of 
 Dr. H. R. Thayer, of "Worcester, Mass., testifying, in the 
 highest terms, to my services in saving him from the violence 
 of an infuriated mob. 
 
26 
 
 WoRCESTEK, Mass., May 18, 1869. 
 Hon. J, A. J. Creswell, Postmaster-Generaly Washington, 
 
 D. a 
 
 Dear Sir, — I have just received a letter from Foster Blod- 
 gett, Esq., Postmaster of Augusta, Ga., desiring me to give 
 you a full account of my expulsion from that city by a mob, 
 on the 9th day of November, 1860. I had been a resident 
 there for five years previous to the last, which I spent in the 
 North, on account of ill health. Having fully recovered, I 
 left Boston on the 31st day of October, for Augusta, via 
 Charleston, S. C, arriving in Augusta on the 5th day of No- 
 vember, where I received a cordial welcome from numerous 
 friends. Everything passed pleasantly, till Friday a.m., six 
 o'clock, when I received the following note : 
 
 " Dr. Thayer^ — You are hereby notified to leave the city at 
 the earliest possible time, or abide the consequences." 
 
 (Signed,) Alex. Phillips and J. M. Hill. 
 
 I immediately sent the note to Mr. Blodgett, then Mayor. 
 He called on me at once, and assured me that I should be 
 protected ; said he had seen the council judges, and the Grand 
 Jury, (the court then being in session) ; that they all agreed 
 with him in using any means in his power for my protection, 
 and bringing the offending parties to justice. He sent a carriage 
 to me at eleven o'clock, to go to court, where an affidavit was 
 issued,"and the parties arrested and brought into court. They 
 asked for time to prepare for trial, and were given until four 
 P.M. I was then conducted back to my hotel by friends, 
 where I remained until three p.m., when a carriage again 
 came for me to go to the Court-House. As I stepped upon 
 the walk, three desperate wretches attacked me, and did their 
 best to force me into a carriage, to take me to Hamburg, 
 S.C, where my fate would have been sealed in half an hour. 
 I was soon rescued from the grasp of these ruffians, and taken 
 -back to ray room, and surrounded by friends, who did all in 
 their power to protect me from an infuriated mob, which soon 
 amounted to thousands. It is but just to say, that Mayor 
 Blodgett did all in his power to protect me and mine from 
 violence ; also, to disperse the mob, and restore order. 
 
27 
 
 At half-past five p.m., he came to me, and said our only 
 safety was flight ; the mob was getting so exasperated, it was 
 feared they would attack the house ; also, that it was impossi- 
 ble to raise force sufficient to disperse the crowd and protect 
 me from violence. Accordingly, it was arranged that we 
 should be taken away privately, while the crowd were held at 
 bay in front by speeches from influential citizens. In the 
 meantime, a carriage was taken to the rear of the hotel, on 
 the back street, to which I was conducted, with my wife and 
 daughter, and driven rapidly away, under the protection of 
 Maj^or Blodgett, who accompanied us ten miles into the woods, 
 down the Savannah road, where we arrived at eight p.m., and 
 remained until one o'clock, and took the cars for Savannah, 
 where we arrived at half-past seven a.m. ; went directly to the 
 steamer, took our rooms, and remained on board until we 
 sailed for N.Y,, at four p.m., when we again breathed free, the 
 first time for thirty hours, leaving all our effects behind, ex- 
 cept the clothes upon our persons. I would say, that I had 
 been acquainted with Mayor Blodgett for years, and always 
 knew him as a staunch Union Tnan, ever ready to enforce 
 law, and do all in his power to restore order, and protect the 
 lives and property of all. It affords me pleasure to say, he 
 was the first to come to my aid, and did not cease his efforts, 
 until he saw us safe without the reach of that infuriated mob. 
 I hope and trust the above will be all sufficient to refute aU 
 calumnies that may be raised against him, as a disunionist. 
 It would afford me much pleasure to know that he is retained 
 Postmaster of the city of Augusta. 
 
 Eespectfully yours, 
 
 H. R. Thayer, M. D. 
 
 Also, the following letter, from J. R. W. Johnson, Esq., 
 formerly of Augusta, certifying to my Unionism, and upon 
 the vigilance committee charge : 
 
 Atlanta, Ga., April 27, 1869. 
 Hon. J. A. J. Ckeswell, P. M. General. 
 
 Dear Sir, — Understanding that the enemies of Repubhcan- 
 ism in Georgia are making the most desperate efforts for the 
 
28 
 
 removal of Hon. Foster Blodgett, as Postmaster at Augusta, 
 and that, among other calumnies and false accusations, they 
 charge him with being " a member of the Vigilance Commit- 
 tee of Augusta, in 1860 and 1861, and cruelly treating Union 
 men, while he was Mayor of Augusta at that time." A sense 
 of justice impells me to give you a statement of what came 
 under my own observation, and I do this without the knowl- 
 edge or solicitation of Mr. Blodgett, but merely as an act of 
 justice and gratitude. I shall be brief as possible. In 1856 
 I resided in Maine. Having just entered manhood I became 
 an ardent Republican, and worked earnestly and faithfully for 
 the election of the first Republican National Candidates, Fre- 
 mont and Dayton. I came to Georgia in 185T, and settled 
 in Augusta. I took no part in politics, and lived quietly and 
 peaceably until "the storm of secession began to gather," when 
 it became known that I made some political speeches in 
 Maine in favor of Fremont and Dayton. I became a marked 
 man, subject to the tender mercies of those chivalric gentle- 
 men, who, from members of Yigilance Committees in 1860 
 and 1861 have ripened into fall bloom K. K. K.'s of 1869. 
 
 Receiving assurances that I was to be a victim of their 
 compassionate love, and having no desire to become an ap- 
 pendage to a lamp post, I called upon Mr. Blodge't, then 
 Mayor of the City, and stated to him my case and claimed 
 from him protection. Having known him intimately for some 
 time, he readily and cheerfully promised me every aid in his 
 power, and in the course of our conversation / urged him to 
 join the yigilance Committee^ believing that he might there 
 obtain insight into their actions and aid his Union friends. 
 This he positively refused to do, condemning in the most 'positive 
 ierms the formation of such committees and his utter abhorrence 
 of them. He, however, said that he would so arrange as to 
 have a true man there, which he did, and to that information 
 thus obtained, myself and others are indebted for preservation 
 to-day. I know that Mr. Blodgett was instrumental, and the 
 hardest worker, in getting up the last Union meeting held in 
 Georgia, which was held at the Court House in Augusta, 
 Dec. 24, 1860. For this action many parties threatened his 
 life. He was in the almost daily receipt of anonymous letters 
 
29 
 
 threatening destruction of life, property, etc Many of his 
 friends — true Union men — advised him to enter the Confederate 
 army, as a means of escaping the daily persecution to which 
 he was subjected for being a Union man. "With extreme re- 
 luctance and continual protest he yielded to their entreaties — 
 joined the C. S. A. — was in no battle, resigned from the ser- 
 vice as soon as possible, and kept out of it. When he was 
 appointed Postmaster there was no one objected thereto, until 
 he became a Republican. Then all the vials of wrath were 
 opened, and from that day to this he has endured persecution, 
 stood more abuse, been more villified than any Kepublican in 
 Georgia. He stands firm. Were he to-day to join the Demo- 
 cratic party no man would become more popular than he, for 
 he is a hard working politician of great shrewdness and of 
 greater influence than any Republican in Georgia. His op- 
 ponents are all Democrats — or Eepublicans like Bard and 
 Bryant,"^ who were Democrats, before they became " so-called 
 Eepublicans," will be Democrats again as soon as they find 
 they get no office. I hope Mr. Blodgett may be retained, 
 and I believe that is the wish of all Eepublicans throughout 
 
 the State. 
 
 Yery truly yours, 
 
 (Signed,) Jas. E. W. Johnston. 
 
 HAS JOSHUA HILL COMMITTED PERJURY? 
 
 In the Senate proceedings March 15, 1870, on the Georgia 
 question, [See Congressional Globe, page 1954,] occurs the fol- 
 lowing, read at the request of Senator Stewart, who had the 
 floor : The Chief Clerk read the following extract from a print- 
 ed letter signed " Joshua Hill," and dated " Madison, Georgia, 
 August 31, 1863." 
 
 " It suits the purpose of those accustomed to kill off adver- 
 saries by detraction to ascribe opinions and designs to me that 
 I never entertained. And friends who have never had sufficient 
 
 *How true tlie above prediction! Bard is now editing the "True 
 Georgian," a Democratic paper, flying at its mast-head the name of Gov- 
 Hoffman for President, in 1872 ; and said to be owned by Dr. Bard, Joshua 
 Hill and Thos. P. Saffold ; while Bryant was the Democratic candidate for 
 Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives. 
 
30 
 
 experience to know liow little reliance is to be placed on pledges 
 and platforms 'ask for a sign.' It is charged that I am in 
 favor of a reconstruction of the Union, opposed to the prosecu- 
 tion of the war, and to the administration of President Davis. 
 I answer tliese charges to satisfy a class of friends who are really 
 ignorant of my sentiments, and not with the hope or desire of 
 appeasing the wrath of enemies who regard me as having de- 
 signs on their commissary department. 
 
 "Men will fight desperately for subsistence. Since my 
 resignation of my seat as a member of the Congress of the 
 United States, which occurred immediately upon the with- 
 drawal of my colleagues, I have taken no active part in 
 politics. I have often expressed my honest convictions that 
 the destruction of the Union would be followed by a long and 
 bloody war, disastrous beyond precedent in its results to every 
 section, and that the idea of dissolving the Union with the 
 hope of reconstructing it on a basis more permanent and pro- 
 tective of the rights of the slave States was fallacious and 
 absurd. I compared the effort to accomplish such an impossi- 
 bility to the folly of taking the most delicate glass vase and 
 crushing it to atoms in the vain hope of collecting the scattered 
 fragments, and by reuniting them making the shathered vessel 
 more comely and durable than it was before. It was a strange 
 delusion, without which the Union could not have been broken. 
 I believed what I said of the impossibility of reconstruction. 
 Time and events have deepened these convictions. 
 
 " I felt little comfort in the flippant assurances of the san- 
 guine orators, ' that the Yankee could not fight if they would 
 and would not if they could.' I knew that time was when 
 they had fought, and I believed that by collision with our 
 brave troops they would learn to do it again. In war as in 
 politics it was unwise to underrate your adversary. 
 
 " The war, with its afflictive train of sujffering, privation, 
 and death, has served to eradicate all idea of reconstruction, 
 even with those who made it the basis of their argument in 
 favor of disunion. 
 
 " I always regarded it as impossible except by the success 
 of the northern arms, and then only the Union in name and 7iot 
 
31 
 
 the free Government of our fathers. I want no such union as 
 that^ and will not accept it. 
 
 " The best argument in favor of disunion, and tlie one most 
 relied on by its advocates, is apprehension for security of 
 our slave property. If it vras not then in danger it is in ex- 
 treme peril now. So far as Mr. Lincoln and the Abolitionists are 
 concerned, there is nothing left us hut to resist to the last, by all 
 the means at our cominand, their efforts to destroy and despoil us. 
 
 " They present us no alternative but ruin or victory. No 
 fraternal appeal comes from tlie fanatical Abolitionist to pause 
 and consider of terms of peace. He is resolved to conquer us 
 and extirpate slavery; or, failing in this, to intensify the 
 hatred of the two sections to such a degree as will create an 
 impassable gulf between the people of the United States and 
 those of the confederate States that shall make them enemies 
 forever. Surely no southerner can desire peace with the sur- 
 render of our invaluable institution. 
 
 "Independence itself would be but an empty sound if ob- 
 tained at such a cost. 
 
 " I am not the eulogist of any living man, and never intend 
 to be. Indiscriminate praise is as worthless as indiscriminate 
 censure. I shall continue to exercise my right as a freeman so 
 long as I am free in expressing an honest opinion of any 
 measure of public policy. In doing this I shall endeavor to be 
 guided by my convictions of right and expediency, and not to 
 be influenced by personal dislikes. I am not aware that I 
 entertain any such feelings towards any of our public men. 
 While I have not ai:)proved of every act of President Davis's ad- 
 ministration, I am not prepared to say that IJcnow of another 
 'more capable of serving the confederacy in the discharge of the 
 embarrassing duties that devolved upon his high office. I sympa- 
 thize with no factious opposition to his administration. 
 
 " Occupying the position I did, I did not think it becoming 
 me to attempt to outstrip the leaders of tlie revolution in their 
 efforts to stimulate the youth of the country to volunteer. I 
 made no inflammatory appeals to their patriotism, but denied 
 them not my aid and my sympathy in their trying advejiiure. 
 I was impressed with the idea that the example was superior 
 to any power of words, and since I declined to volunteer I 
 
32 
 
 did not feel willing to urge others to do what I failed to do 
 myself. Early in the struggle the youth of my household and 
 those of my nearest kindred flew to arms. The soil of Virginia 
 has drunk deep of the life-blood of my gallant young kins- 
 men. 
 
 " Me Stewakt. That was pretty loyal to the confederacy 
 then ; and is it strange that he should get the votes of the 
 confederate soldiers in that Legislature after having written 
 that letter in the height of the rebellion in 1863 ? Is it strange 
 that he should be in harmony with them ? Is it strange that 
 he should be fighting Governor Bullock, Foster Blodgett, and 
 those men ? 
 
 I cannot better comment upon the above letter, written by 
 Joshua Hill than by reproducing an editorial from the Atlanta 
 New Era, of April 18th, 1871, as follows : 
 
 SENATOR HILL AND THE SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY. 
 
 " "We regret that the Hon. Joshua Hill has found it neces- 
 sary to refer to his political record of 1863. And we regret 
 it all the more, since he referred to it in the manner he did 
 in his recent speech in the United States Senate. 
 
 " Mr. Hill was a candidate for the office of Governor in 
 1863. He was put in nomination as against Hon. Joseph E. 
 Brown, who was then Governor, and who was a candidate for 
 re-election. Mr. Hill's friends then claimed that he was true 
 to the cause of the Southern Confederacy — much truer, in fact, 
 than Governor Brown, who was fighting the odious Conscrip- 
 tion Act of the Richmond GoverLment. 
 
 " Unlike Governor Brown Mr. Hill had been a Union man. 
 He had denied as well the right as the policy of secession ; 
 and instead of " withdrawing " or seceding, he resigned his 
 seat in Congress, after the passage of the Ordinance of 
 Secession. 
 
 " This afforded a pretext for questioning his loyalty to the 
 Southern cause. The charge was made that Mr. Hill was at 
 heart a " Reconstructionist,' (that was the word then in use ;) 
 and that he would, if elected, betray his trust. The Constitu- 
 tion of the State, under which Mr, Hill sought office, and 
 which he would, in the event of his election, have sworn to 
 
33 
 
 support, imposed an oath to '■support the Constitution of the 
 Confederate States.'' And of course nobqdyhad a right to sup- 
 pose for a moment that Mr. Hill would, after taking such an 
 oath, prove recreant to the Confederacy, in support of which 
 he had given two sons to the Confederate army. 
 
 " E^svertheless, Mr Hill thought it necessary to write and 
 publish a letter, wherein he endeavored to set the question of 
 his loyalty to the Southern cause above suspicion ; and we 
 happen to know that he was supported by those who would 
 have resented, as a personal insult, any imputation upon their 
 fealty to the cause of the Confederacy." 
 
 HILL'S POLITICAL DISABILITIES REMOVED. 
 
 In 1S68, Congress relieved Hill of any political disabilities 
 he might be laboring under, from which sprung the following 
 correspondence, wherein he confesses to have taken the " test 
 oath" twice : 
 
 Atlanta, July 16th, 1868. 
 
 My Dear Sir, — It affords me pleasure to inform you that I 
 have received official information that, by a vote of two-thirds 
 of each House of Congress, any political disability which may 
 have attached to yourself, has been removed. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 R. B. Bullock, Governor elect. 
 Hon. Joshua Hill, Atlanta. 
 
 !N"ow read the gracious reply : 
 
 Atlanta, Ga., July iU?t, 1868. 
 
 His Excellency R. B. Bullock : 
 
 Dear Sir, — I was surprised to learn by your note of this 
 day, that Congress had " relieved me of any political disability 
 which may have attached to me." I cannot be thankful for 
 what I neither needed nor desired. I have induced Congress 
 to relieve several Georgians of their political disabilities, but 
 it never occurred to me to solicit relief for myself. It is more 
 than two years 'siw.c.e I first took what is Jcnown as the ''^ test 
 3 
 
34 
 
 oath.'''' I have taken it twice. I have never feared a charge 
 of perjury for doing so. 
 
 I appreciate intended kindnesses, except where thej make 
 me ridiculous. "Whether the application for my relief was 
 designed to detract from my standing as a constant friend of 
 the Union, I cannot tell, but such, unquestionably, is its eifoct. 
 I shall be better able to determine this when I come to know 
 who volunteered in my behalf. I shall endeavor to ascertain 
 to whom I am indebted. 
 
 If within your power to relieve my anxiety on this point, I 
 shall be much obliged for the information. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 Joshua Hill. 
 
 Notwithstanding Hill's boast of being able to take the " test 
 oath," and of having so freely taken it, I believe he availed 
 himself of the oath for the " relieved " when he took a seat in 
 the Senate — availed himself of the " relief" Congress so mag- 
 nanimously afforded, the fact of which Gov. Bullock so kindly 
 and courteously communicated, and which Hill so coarsely 
 spurned ! 
 
 WHO IS GUILTY OF PERJURY? 
 
 How does the case stand now ? 
 
 Joshua Hill says I committed perjury while the foregoing 
 testimony, and a jury of my countrymen, in the U. S. Cir- 
 cuit Court say I have not ! 
 
 But how is it with Joshua Hill ? 
 
 He sought the office of Governor of Georgia, during the 
 rebellion, and had he been elected he would have had to have 
 taken an oath to support the Constitution of the Confederate 
 States. In his letter of 1863, he shows himself intensely dis- 
 loyal to the Union. "While, in his letter to Gov. Bullock, of 
 July J 6th, 1868, he confesses to have taken the "test oath," 
 twice ; and, in reply to Senator Stewart, in debate, April 
 10th, 18T1, acknowledged to having taken the test oath. [See 
 Congressional Globe, page 553.] 
 
 He has never been tried for it, as I have been ! He has 
 
35 
 
 never been acquitted by a jury of his countrjmea as I have 
 been ! 
 
 By his own declarations, acts and confessions does not 
 Joshua Hill stand before the world guilty of something 
 strongly resembling peijury ? 
 
 With the above statement of facts I leave the decision to the 
 judgment of any unprejudiced mind. 
 
 Yery respectfully, 
 
 FOSTER BLODGETT. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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