Then the interviews between the author and Presidents Grant and
Cleveland, and Secretaries Blaine, Lamar, and Gresham will no doubt be
interesting, if not instructive.

If, in writing this book, the author shall have succeeded in placing
before the public accurate and trustworthy information relative to
Reconstruction, his highest ambition will have been fully gratified, his
sense of justice entirely satisfied.

JOHN R. LYNCH.




THE FACTS OF RECONSTRUCTION




CHAPTER I

THE PART PLAYED BY MISSISSIPPI IN THE EARLY DAYS OF RECONSTRUCTION


The year 1866 was an eventful one in the history of this country. A
bitter war was in progress between Congress and President Andrew Johnson
over the question of the reconstruction of the States lately in
rebellion against the National Government. The President had inaugurated
a policy of his own that proved to be very unpopular at the North. He