Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1862-05-10
D. G. FARRAGUT,
Flag Officer Western Gulf Squadroa.
The Reply.

MAYORS OFFICE CITY OF EEw-oRLRASs, 4
CITY HALL, April 20, 1862.
Faqe- oScer D. @. FARRAaUT, " S. Fzag g-si,p Hartford
Sir In pursuance of a resolution which We
thought proper to take out of regard for
the lives of the women aud children, who
still crowd the metropolis Gen Lowell has
evacuated it with bis troops. and restored
back to me the administration of its govern
ment and the custody its power.
| have in council with the City Fathers
considered the demand you made Of me
yeste:day-of an unconditional surrender
of the city, coupled with equisition 10
hoist the flag of the United States on the
public edfces, and haul down the flag that
still aoats upon the breeze from the dome
of this Hall. 1t becomes my duty to trans.
NIT to You an answer which is the universal
sentiment of my constituents, no less than
the prompting of my own heart, dictates to
me on this sad and solemn occasion. The
city is without the means. of defense and
is utterly destitute of the force and material
that might enable it to resist an overpower.
ing armament displayed in sight of il.
| am no military man aud possess no
authority beyond that of executing the
municipal laws Of the City of New Orleans,
it would be pefsumptouS 10 me to attempt
to lead any army to the field, if had one
at command and | know still less how to
Surrender an undefended place, held, as this
is, at the mercy of your gunuers, and your
mortars. To surfeder such place were
an idle and unmeauing cermony.e
The city is yours by the power Of brutal
force, not by my choice or the consent of
its inhabitants. Ii is for you to determine
what will be the fate that awaits here. As
to hosting any flag of our own adoption
aud allegiance, let me say TO you that the
man lives not in our midst whose hand and
beart would not be paralyzed at the mere
thought of such an act Nor could fnd
iu my entire constituency SO desperate
and wretched a renegade as would dare
TO profane with his hand the sacred emblem
of our aspirations,
Sir. you have manifested sentiments
which would become one engaged in a better
cause than that to which you have devoted
your sword. doubt not that they spring
from noble though deluded nature, aud
know how to appreciate the emotion which
inspired them. You have gallant people
to administrate during your occupancy Of
this city-a people sensitive to all that can
in the least affect their diguty and self-
respect. Pray, Sir, do not fail to regard
their suscepliblities. The obligations
which shall assume in their name shall DO
religionsly complied with. You may trust
their honor, though you might not count
on their submission TO uHmerited wrong
In conclusion, beg you to understand
that the people ofNew Orleans, while nn-
able to resist your force, 90 Dot allow them
selves to be insnlted by the Interference Of
such as have rendered themselves odious
and contemplate by their dastardlY desert
ion OF our cause 10 the mighty struggle in
which we are engaged. or such as might
remind them TOO foreibly that they are the
cOaquered, and yours the eonqneFofs--
Peace aud order may be preserved wiIhs
ont resort 20 measures which, could not
ut this moment prevent. Your occupying
the city does not transfer allegiance from
the Government of their choice 70 ono
which they have deliberately repadiated and
chat they yield the obedience which the
cOnqueror is entitled 70 extott from tho
conquered.
RsPssshllA JOIN r noNReE Nyss