ment headquarters that the prosecutions were not based upon the actions of the defendant during the late war.

It was further directed that the provisions of the order above referred to be strictly complied with, and that when it appeared that any suit brought or attempted to be brought before the courts was of the nature of those therein named, no action be taken; or if suit was already in process, that it be at once dismissed.

It was further stated in this communication, that parties engaged in hostilities against the government, and in plundering their neighbors while acting with the rebel forces in the late war, were not proceeded against for such acts, and that these parties would not be permitted to proceed against those who acted under the authority of the United States, for acts of a like nature.

It has come to the knowledge of the executive of the State, that during the canvass preceding the general election in August last, some of the candidates for the legislature in Washington county were prevented by ex-Union soldiers from speaking in certain precincts, and that after the election the poll-books at Fayetteville, in said county, were partially destroyed by the same parties, or those in sympathy with them.

Such conduct was disapproved entirely by Governor Murphy, and to a communication from the clerk of the circuit court for said county, asking, among other things, for instructions as to the course to be pursued in the emergency, the following reply was made:

EXECUTIVE Office, Little ROCK, ARKANSAS,
September 20, 1866.

DEAR SIR: Yours of September 14th is received and has been duly considered. My official duty requires me to see that the laws are faithfully executed.

The burning of the poll-books was a bold violation of law and should be punished. It cannot be excused. No provocation will excuse. The deed is done, and it becomes every good citizen to repair the wrong, if possible.

I presume the judges of election kept duplicates; if so, they should file copies of the same in your office, properly authenticated by their affidavits, abstracts of which you should forward to the secretary of state's office, with a full statement of the facts. This course would relieve you from all responsibility and put the whole case in a proper condition to be adjudicated. As it stands I have no power to issue writs of election.

This is the only course that I think safe for you, and it seems to me to be the legal and right plan. We are impatiently waiting for some certified return. from you. Washington is the only county from which we have received no proper election returns.

I trust that you will be as prompt as possible in putting this thing in shape and forwarding your abstract.

With high respect,

GEORGE W. M. REID, Esq.,

ISAAC MURPHY,
Governor of Arkansas.

Clerk Circuit Court Washington County, Arkansas.

With reference to the measures adopted to suppress the proscriptive party spirit referred to, I have the honor to state, that United States troops have been stationed at various points in Arkansas; that, in a manner more particularly explained in a report that I have had the honor to make to his excellency the governor of the State, and which has been transmitted by him to the legislature, companies of militia have from time to time been organized, with the approval, in all cases, of the commander of the department of Arkansas, whose duty it is,

while not interfering with the process of civil law, to protect themselves against bad and lawless men.

In conclusion permit me also to add that no effort is spared by the executive of the State to allay by peaceful means the bitterness of feeling that still exists in some portions of the State, counselling forbearance by all, and especially to forget the attitude of each to the other during the late contest of arms. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

I certify that the foregoing are true copies of communications on file or of

record in this office.

A. W. BISHOP,

Adjutant General of Arkansas.

JANUARY 7, 1867.-Referred to the Committee on Public Lands and ordered to be printed

OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF THE TERRITORY,

Santa Fe, New Mexico, December 20, 1866. SIR: In compliance with the resolution of the council of the legislative assembly of this Territory, I have the honor to forward herewith a memorial in regard to the "Rio Grande land grant," and to request you to lay it before the honorable body over which you preside.

Please acknowledge the receipt of the enclosed.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. F. M. ARNY,

Hon. SCHUYLER COLFAX,

Secretary and Acting Governor, New Mexico

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

To the honorable the Congress of the United States:

Your memorialists, the council of the legislative assembly of the Territory of New Mexico, would most respectfully represent, that we are informed that Brevet Brigadier General James H. Carleton, Brevet Colonel N. H. Davis, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel A. B. Carey, and others, have surreptitiously purchased from a few poor and ignorant persons in Taos county, New Mexico, an old Spanish grant, commonly called the "Rio Grande grant," which said persons are supposed to own, predicated upon a grant made over one hundred years and that said officers have used their position in this country to obtain said grant for a sum less than two hundred dollars, and we are now informed are expecting to have your honorable body confirm said grant.

ago;

Your memorialists would further represent, that upon this grant there are now residing nearly three thousand persons, many of whom and their ancestors have lived upon this land for nearly one hundred years, and have improvements worth