Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-02
Flag Officer Western Gulf So uadroI
Reply Of til: Mayer Of the City Of N.,. Orleans
CITY HALL, April &c, 1852.
Flag OffceI d 6. F. RR.eur.

City HALL, April &c, 1852.
Flag ofacer d. 6. FhRR.sur,
:. Flagship srtford
SIR In pursuance 81 a resnIntfon which we
thought proper TO take out Of regard for the lives
of the women and children who still crowd this
great metropolis, Ger. Lowell has evacuated IT,
with his troops, and restored to me the adm mis-.
tration Of Its government and the custody of It's
honor.
/ have, In. council with the city fathers, con.
sideTed the demand made of ne Yesterday, for
an unconditional surrender Of the city, coupled
with requisition TO hoist the flag OF the United
States on the public edi6css and haul down the
lag that still floats upon the breeze from the
dome OF this Hall Ii becomes my duty 10 trans
nit 10 you an answer, which is the universal ser.
tment Of my constituents TO less than the prompt
ing my own heart dictates to me on this sad and
solemn occasion.
The city is without the means of defence, and
Is utterly destitute Of the force and material that
might enable II TO resist an oveTpowerinp arma-
ment displayed In sight OF IL. l am no military
man, and possess 70 authority beyond that of ex-
ccutiog the municipal laws Of the city of New
Orleans. IL would be presumptuous I'm me TO
attempt to lead an army Into the field, IL had
one at command; and know still less bow to
surrender an undefended place, held, as this IT,
at the mercy Of your gunncrs and your mortars
To surrender such place were an idle and un-
meaning ceremony. The city is yours by the
power Of brutal force not by my choice or consent
OF its inhabitants. 1t is for you to determine
what will be the fate that awaits US here AS to
hosting any flag other than the flag Of our own
adoption and alle2 lance let say % you that the
man lives not In our 10 DIST whose hand and heart
would not be paralyZed at the mere thought of
such an act; nor could find In nv entire con
shtuencv so wretcbGd and desperate a renegade
as would dare to profane with his hand the sacred
emblem Of our aspirations.
Sit. YOU have manifested sentiments which
would become one engaged In better cause than
that TO which you have devoted your sword
doubt not but that they spring from noble though
deluded nature, and know how to appreciate the
emotions which inspired them. You have gal
liant people 10 administrate over during your &C.
cupancy OF this city-a people sensitive 10 all that
can In the least affect their dignity and self re-
specf Pray, sir, do not fail to regard their sns-
capabilities. The obligations which | ,hall as
sumo In their name shall be religiously complied
with. You may trust their honor, though you
might not count on their submission to unmerited
wrong.
In conclusion, beg you understand that the
people OF New Orleans, while unable to resist
your force, do not allow themse YES to be insulSd
by the Interference of such % have rendered
themselves odious and contemplate by their
dastardly desertion Of our cause In the mighty
struggle In which VIE are engsged or such as
might remind them too powerfully that thew are
the conquered, and you the cODquerors Peace
ana order may be pr served without resort TO
measures which could not at this moment pre-
vent Your occupying the city does not tr ansfeT
allegiance from the Government of their choice
10 one which they have deliberately Tepudt lated
ana they Yield the obedience which the conuuerof
10 entitled to txsoft from The conquered
Respectfully, JOHN i. MONROE Mayor