, 1863-11-03
The Relation Of tho General t;oVorn1
1nrnt TO khe UfEY Of Memphis.

The Relation Of tho General Govorn1
mrnt to the City Of Memphis,
The Memphis papers publish corresron-
dence between Alderman Hubert of Mem
pbie, Secretary Stanton and President Lin
coln, which contain matters OF National in.
po1tance. It refers to the status OF city prop.
erty In Memphie, Tenn which has been
setzed sud is now held by the General Gov.
eminent, and on which the authorities ofthe
city Of Memphis claim that the Government
Is responsible for certain taxes and assess-
mente levied upon tho property named.
The decisiou Of Secretary Stanton, although
evidently made Without due consideration of
the subject, will stand as Ian, It least for the
preaent, Is It is virtually agreed to by Presi-
dent Lincoln
Henry 7. Hubert, President of thu Bo,ra
ofAldetmen Of Memphis, went to Washing
ton to bring the matter to the confederation
of the President and Secretary of War BE
f3rst visited the President, who gave him !
card to the Secretary Of War. He stated bis
case verbally to the Secretary, who peremp-
tortly refused to enter upon the subject. for
the TWO reasons that the corporation had no
power to ta1 tho United states; and that tho
people Of Memphis, city in rebellion, Tero
entitled to no favor. :,
Mr.. Hubert deeming that Secretary Stan.
ton had taken very erroneous view Of the
subject, addressed him = communication In
writing with letter from Maj. Gen. Hur1-
but, approving the application, in which he
States that -:
Since tho occupation Of Memphis by the ARMY.
It has from time to time taken Tito tta possesaon
svny k1Ee proportion Of tho properly 81 tho city.
poses, bnt ;. very large part Of 1t is hold etnov
fof the collection Of rents, Of nh,ch a consldef-
s sn'e e1m ia now In tue tands or the Qusrtermas
tefe department In no instance has say Of this
properly been conf By thelAws OF Congress-
Meanwhile the city authorities have carried on
tas 9a,, nsnM Improvements foE The benefit Of the
population and sometimes. by military Qrde,s
they have been compelled TO expcnd iarge sums,
aEd to impote heavy taxes on the citizens for Oh
3eets ihooget to be Of public utility By the ocers
; Under the above circumstances. the Mayor
and Aldermen Of Memphis think tho Gov;
eminent ought to contribute sum equal to
the taxes due from the owners Of tho prop
erty. In regard to the charge of Secretary
Stanton, that Memp phis is u rebel1ious city,"
Mr.. Hubert replies that "the present popu-
lAtion have all been required to take the
cath Of allegiance, and having cheerfalIy done
thif. have BEEN received and t1eated as loyal
citizens" '.s':i <
No reply having been received from secre-
tasy Stanton by Mr.. Hnlbert to the commu.
nicatioD, he again called upon the President,
when the latter informed him that tho Sec.
reta.y ct War was unwilling to enter into
this matter Of account during the pending Of
tho war, and that he did not feel inclined to
over1ule the eec1etasy'a decision. Mr. HUI
bert asked the President to gtye him his
views In writing, which he did In the follow
Ing words:
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 1868. /
Henry r. Hubert, Esq Memphis, Tenn:
SIR. Assuming the within to be true and full |
statement OF facts, the claim seems to be fatr |
and Just one. On consultation with Tho secresssy
Of War, however. he declares that to enter upo,
the adjustme.to Of all claims eTen as meritorious
rs this. wh1le the war continues in Its present |
proportions, IL more than hts department can |
bear. Knowing, as do, how nearly over
whelmed h1 Is, am unwilling to force him In the
ma1tef. A. LINCOLN.