The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-05-06
NayoraIty of New Orleans, !
Clii,- Hnl mil % lSkD

City Hall, April %, 1862. {
Flag Officer D. G. Farragut, Z. S. flagship Hartford:
SIR: In pursuance of a resolution which he thought
proper take of regard the lives of the
and children who still crowd this great metropolis,
General Lowell has evacuated it with his troops and
restored to the administration of its government
and the custody of its honor. have, in council with
the city fathers, considered the demand you made of
me Yesterday, of an unconditional surrender of the
CITY, coupled with a requison hoist the flag of the
United States the public edifces and haul down the
flag still floats in the breeze from the dome of this
hall: it becomes my dnty to transmit you answer
which is the universal sentiment of my constituents,
less than the promptings of my own heart debating
me this sad and solemn occasion. The city Is with
ont means of defence and utterly destitute of force and
material that enable it to resist the overpowerng
armament displayed in sight oft. am military man
and authority beyond that Of the execution OF
the municipal laws oftEe city of New Orleans 1t would
be presumptuous in me to attempt to lead amy to
the field if had one at my command and know still
less how surrender nndefended place, held this
is at the mercy of your gunners and your mortars.
To surrender such place idle and unmeaning
ceremony; the city is yours by power of brutal force,
by my choice the consent of its inhabitants it
is for you TO determine what VIII be the fate that
awaits here. As to hosting any flag other than the
flag Of adoption and allegiance, let me say to
Won he lives not in our midst whose hand ana
heal would be paSicd at the thought of such
a act could find, in my entire constituency, so
wretcled and desperate renegade would dare to
profaae with his hand the sacred emblem of a5pi
ratious Sir, you have manifested sentiments which
TO which YOU have devoted your sword | doubt not
bnt that they spring from noble, though deluded
nature and l know how TO appreciate the emotions
which inspired them. You will have gallant people
to administer during your occupation Of this cy-a
peope sensitive all that can, in the least affect
their dignity and self-respect. Pray sir do nos fail to
regard their snsceptibilities.
The obligations which shall assume in their names
shall be religiousy complied with. You may trust
their honor though you might their sub
mission unmerted wrong. IN conclusion: beg you
understand that the people of New Orleans while
unable resist force do not allow themselves TO
inSulted by the interference OF such persons have
rendered themselves obscurely contemplate by their
dasaTdy desertiOn of in the mighty struggle
in which engaged, such as might remind
them too painfully that they are the conquered ana
you the conquerors. Peace and order may be pre-
served without measures which could not al
this moment prevent. Your occupying the city does
transfer their allegiance from the Government OF
their choice which they have deliberately re-
pudiated they simply render obedience which conquer
entitled to expect from the conquered.
Respectfully.