Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-11-15
0en. Buffers Rule in uew Orleans.

Oee~O-~'
Sir: In this mornings Tribune you pub.
lisbed some interesting particulars with re-.
gard to the occupation Of New Orleans by
General Butler. Having just arrived from
a five months scjouyn in that city. after on.
joying frequent intercourse with the Union
officers there, I think I can add materially to
The history. .--
I went to New Orleans with very strong
dislike to Gen. Butler politically and person.
ally. had known him for twenty years.
but known him rs a lawyer advocating al
most any cause for pay. and a politician seek.
ing success by intrigue. ! had heard also
from friend who heard it. that he chuckled
even while OH his way to Baltimore, Il 60
into this as a speculation; will make it
pay" So l looked him as military advcn-
turer only, inspired more by selfishnesss than
patriotism. Then he was u slave of slavery !;
what was he worth in a war against their
masters?
have come from this department convinced
that General Butler if not the predestined
chief of our armies, is at least just the man
to break the back of rebellion in New Or
Leans.
1t is notorious that long before he arrived
there he saw the "niggrr," as a representa-
tive of dollars, had ceased to be a winning
card, and that emancipation was tho trump
thenceforward.
He began at New Orleans as if he comprc.
hrnded the situation. He said to the Mayor
and his Council, "Go on, gentlemen; will
see how well we work together" Ho straight
way issued an order which highly incensed
~ oe cst S1,1,
ties c,llcd upon him, when h. had available
but 1,40O men, and said to him in effect.
General, your order is considered outrage.
GUS; unless you revoke it instantly, we can.
not longer BE- responsible for the good conduct
Of the citizens" "Then will be responsi.
ble from this instant p replied Butler with
emphasis; "you. Mr.. Mayor are assigned to
Fort Lafayette; you Aldermen, will be con.
veyed to Fort Pickens; will run the City
myself" And he appointed Mayor and
Board of his own, aud established a loyal
Government.
He summoned the bankers and said to
them Here, want you to call in and des.
troy every scrap Of rebel shinplasters which
these poor people have been obliged to re-
ceive from you as equivalent for their depos-
it's. and issue in their place good bills, for the
redemption Of which your personal property
is hereby held responsible" They protested: {:
d" We cannot do it. General, our resources are
not sufficient" "Bring me a statement of
your assets and liabilities" hs replied; IL
will see if you can do it. and if you liz to ms
about your property, you 60 to Foit Warren
till after the war"
"Well. gentlemen" he said after looking
over their papers, am by profession law
yer, and was for two years, Chairman on
Banks and Corporations in the Massachusetts,
Legislature which profited me; after a care.
full examination of these banks. have come
to the conclusion that they can BE- run there
fore they must BE- run; ifyou will do it and
take care Of your depositors. 90 ahead; if not.
get our Of tn. way-1 shall take charge of
them myself" OF course they adopted legiti.
mate habits and continued.
The sick at Quarantine were suffering for
want Of medical aid. Army surgeons could
not be spared. So he sent Secession doctors
q, surgeons, and said to them: "See hers!
know you are internal rebels every one of
you. but 90 down and take care Of my sick !;
If a man SUITES from your in tteation and
treachery. by l will hang. you higher
than Haman."
He went among the schools, they were poi
soned by rebel teachers. and the children were
instructed to sing jeff Davis songs and in
suit the Union soldiers. He sent to New
England for regiment Of school mistrpsses.
The sending Of Reverdy johnson to New
Orleans was peculiarly unfortunate. He went
osteusibly to settle misunderstandings which
had arisen between Gen. Butler and foreign
cotton owners, but. on his arrival there he be-.
came the recognised friend and council of the
rich rebels sgainst Batter and the Govern.
msnt. He mitigated fnes in numerous in.
stances, it il known. He accepted the hos.
pitalities Of the most notorious rebels, snd had
their unqualified confidence to the end. He
and Gen. Butler had not spoken to each other
on account Of personal quarrel. for three
years, which would seem to add to the inap.
prcpriateness Of his appointment. but which
did not at all prevent official intercourse.
His patronage Of the rebel aristocracy made
him extremely odious to the Union officers
and srmy, and the citizens who did not want
TO zee the Government compromised.
Pierre Soule-well known % having been
a Senator from Louisiana, and Minister to
Spain under Pierce. and now Q notorious RIB.
sl-made himself most obnoxious by his Off.
cious interference with the Union Govern.
msnt One day after an extra effort for some
rebel scheme. he called for an interview with
Gen. Butler. 1t wa my good fortune to bs
in the room. and l certainly shall never for.
get the remarkable scene. Souls was dieni.
fed. cold, polite - usual; Butler received
him most civilly, rising and taking bis hand
~ be- approached. soule commenced what
sounded like set speech. "Gsn. Butlsr," !"
he said with IN air Of deep seriousness, II re.
gret to find yourself and myself upon different