The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-02
Flag Officer Western Gunboat Squadron
THE REPLY.
MAYORS OFFICE Cry of New ORLEANS, }
Cyry IJ,vr Anvil Oh {
THE REPLY

CITY HALL, April 26.
Flag Officer A. G. Farragut, U. s. Flag Ship
Hartford
SIR In pursuance OF q resolution which we
thought proper to take, out of regard for the
lives OF the women and children who still
crowd the metropolis, as Gen. Lowell has evacu
ated it with his troops and restored back to m
the administration Of the government and the
custody OF its money, have in council with
the city fathers considered the demand you
made OF me yesterday of an unconditional sur
render of the city, pied with requisltion to
hois. the flag OF the United States on the public
ediices and haul down the flag that still floats
upon the breeze from the dome OF this Hail.
Ii becomes my duty to transmit an answer which
i the universal sentiment or my constituents,
and no less that which the prompting Of my
0@n heart dictates me on this sad and solemn
occasion.
The city is without the means of defense, and
IS utterly destitute Of the force and material
!At might enable it to resist an ovcrpowerlng
armament displayed in sight OF it. am no
military man, and possess no authority beyond
that OF executing the municipal laws of the
city OF New Orleans. 1t would be presump,u
Gus in me 10 attempt to lead an army to the
field ii had one at command, and know still
less how to surrender an undefended place, held,
as this is, at the mercy of your gunners and
your mortars. 10 surrender such place were
an idle and unmeaning ceremony. The city IS
yours by the power of brutal force, not by my
choice or the consent of its Inhabitants. 1t Is
or you to determine what will be the fate that
awaits her. AS to hosting any flag not OF our
own adoption and allegiance, let me say to you
that the man lives not in our midst whose hand
and heart would not be paralyzed at the mere
thought of such an act, nor could lind in my
Inconsistency SO desperate and wrctched II
renegade as would dare to prolane with his land
The sacred emblem If our aspirations.
Sir, you have manifested sentiments which
would become one engaged in u better cause
than that TO which you have devoted your
sword. | do not question that they are from
noble, though deluded nature, and know how
0appreciate the emotions which inspire them.
You have a gailenU people TO adminlslrate dur
ing your occupancy OF this city, p.ople sensl-
tive To all that can ia the least affect their dig
nlty and self-respect. Pray, sir, do not TAIL TO
regard their susceptibiities. The obligations
which shall assume in their name shall be re-
iilsIousy complied with. You may trust their
honor though you might not count Oh their sub
mission to unmerited wrongs. In conclusion, |
beg You to understand that the people OF New
orleans, while unable to resist your forces, do
not allow themselves to he insuited by the inter-
terence of such as have disgraced themselves by
'lcIr dastardy desertion OF our cause in the
Ml2hty struggle in which we are engaged, or
such as might remind them 100 forcibly that
'hG,y are the conquered and yours the conquerorS.
Peace and order may be preserved without re-
sort to measures which ] could not at this mo-
nent prevent. Your occupying the city does
n0' transfer allegiance from the government OF
Their choice to one which they have deliberately
NPndlated, and that they yield the obedience
winch the conquerors are entitled to extort IRON
We conquered Respectfully,
JOHN L. MONROE, Mayor.