New-York daily tribune., 1858-09-07
WHY THE POLICE WERE NOT SENT TO
QUARANTINE

Of Police. gave to Mayor Temann, at the Telegraph
dinner on Thursday evening, for not sending down
police force to protect the Quarantine buildings was,
that he had not ben required to do so-that ne had
not received any reQusisition. The General added
that he did not think there would be much Of :
shower. in other words he thought that there was
rreat deal moe excitement than there was any occa
sion for: they had lie believed done all the burning
they intended to DO. and he had contented himself
with sending down several detectives 10 hunt up the
ripeleaders Then the General went 10 his turtle
.oup and wine and the Staten Island incendiares
abou, the same time resumed their carnival.
As soon a. the mob commenced their work OF
destruction at Quarantine, Wednesday night the
Harbor Police boat dispatched to the city and at
2oclock. Thursday morning Gen. Tallmage was
walked up by Sergent of the Harbor Police, accom-
panied by Capt. Weed of the Second Ward. The
condition of affairs at the Marine Hospital was re-
ported 70 Mr. Tallmage, and he was further informed
which was the rumorl. that the Health Officer was
shut up in his house defending himself a7ainst the
mob. Capt Weed told the General-Superntendent
that II he would give him the authority he would have
force of 100 policemen well armed, ready TO go to
the Island by the first boat o a. M. Gen. IalImage
replied No there i no in exposing the mems
lives. the mob have burned mp everything by this
tine. and il wont do any good to 20 down now.'
Then Mr.. Tallmage returned to his bed.
In the morning Mayor Temann teegraphed for Mr.
Talmadge and Gen. Gen. Nye; neither of them could
be found. He sent messengers after them with the
same result. Subsequently he met Capt. Crabtree
who told him that Gen. Nye had promised TO send
down sixty armed men at once, which satisfied him.
Capt Crabree, Vice President of the Commissioners
of Emigration states that Thursday morning early
he went down TO the Quarantine grounds and returned
in the l-oclock boat. At half past o'clock he
went Ia the office Of the Commissioners of Police and
stated that he had good to believe that the re-
naming buildings at Quarantine would be- burned down
that night ii there police force there to protect
them. Gen. Nye, the only Commissioner present,
asked what force the Commissioners wanted The
captain replied sixty good able men, whom
he would supply with volcanic repeating rifles
Mr.. Nye said, very we The captain then
asked him if there was anything more which was
necessary for him to do; could he rely upon these
being sent. Gen. Nye replied Yes, certainly, they
should be sent before night" Capt. Crabiree then
wont and engaged the rifles at the warehouse in Broad
way, telling the proprietor deliver them presena-
tion of order from him. Capt. Crabtrce then gave
the order TO Mr. Casserly Secretary to the Commits
sioners of Emigration, telling him to take it to the
Y
men marched down to the boat take the order and
stop in at the store for their arms and ammunition.
Mr. Cass,rly did ordered and Capt. Crabtree, being
sick went home.
The policemen were not sent down and Dr.. Bissell,
who, counting upon their aid, as promised, had made
preparations to defend the property of the State
obliged to stand by and see the lawless mob
mate their work unmoles,ed.
On Friday morning, Gov. King, Mayor Tiemann
and Gen. Nye met the Commissioners of Emigration.
Capt Crabtree related TO the Board the particulars of
his interview with Gen. Nye, and his promise to send
force TO Quarantine.
Gen. Nys said he wished to make some explanation.
After receiving Capt Crabtree's requsition, he sat
down and wrote order, to which he signed his
as President Of tie Police Commission for sixty men,
TO be- sent down immediate TO Quarantine to maintain
the peace and protect the buildings the Marine Hoe
ptal.
This order he addressed to Mr.. Tamadge, the Gen
eral Superintendent. He was surprised at the Tee
graph dinner, in the evening, TO find, on communi-
eating with Gen. Talmadbe, that he had not obeyed
the order. II then too late TO send any down,
go the buildings were burnt. Gen. Talnadges reason
for not sending the that if he sent them they
would have to remain in Quarantine during the entire
sickly season, az it was infected district. The
General therefore thought he would not execute Mr.
Nye's orders without the action OF the full Board.
Gen. Tallmadge was suspended yesterday for insub
ordination, and viii probably be removed.
From this statement it viii be that the entire
responsible OF allowing the mob to destroy the re-
mander of the Quarantine buildings, with all the at
tendant suffering to the unshetered sick, rests with
Frederick A. Tamadge.