Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-01-13
The Execution of VIM. B. MumfOrd

Gen. Butler, accompanied by his wife and
suit, left Washington IN Wednesday morning las
for his home in Massachusetts, and reached
Philadelphia the same afternoon Upon his mr.
rival at that place he was met ht the railroad
depot y depuIation OF citizens who conluctr,
him to the Continental Hotel, his carriage being
followed by m ncclaiming multitude, suddenly
gathered on the announcement of his arrival
TLu North American says;
"Gen. Butler after resting at the Hotel pail
II quiet visit to Gen. Mcclellan, at his 1narters in
Walnut street, Their interview was private
During the remainder Of the afternoon he VIA,
called upon by prominent citizens, who fell
honored by taEing his hand Though needinp
rest, denial could not be made 10 the demand
that Cen Butler should meet tho merchants nnd
others of Philadelphia, aud receive their general
congratulations. Al the hour Of eight o'clock
PArlor at tue Continental Was filled with g II.
tletnen. Gen Butler was escorted into the room
by Hon w. d. Lewis and Morton McNlichael
Esq, As he crossed the threshold burst OF nm
plause broke forth that lasted for at yernl minu
tes."
Gen. Butler was then introduced to the as
seinblage by the Hon. VIM, d. Lewis, who in hi
address paid high compliment to the General
on his courageous and patriotic conduct during
tho present war.
General Butler, in replying to his address,
took occasion TO vindicate the execution of VIM.
B Mumford, which has become matter of the
more Importance in consequence of the retaliA
tory measures threatened IN Confederate mo
clamation recently promulgated from Richmond.
The General said
al hardly know sir, how in fit terms to reply
to the too tiltering eulOgy which you have been
pleased TO pass upon the services have render.
ed. There is only one thing about them, so far
as know which deserves any portion of TINT
ig ha d.. 4
every act was performed that intent was, in so
far as might TO do the best that lay within nv
power for the country in what was deemed her
hour of peril
"Oa the 18th of April, 1861 was in this
house under very different circumstances. Com
munication was cut off between you and the cnpl-
tai the bridges Of the rair0ad from this oity 10
Baltimore were burned and it WAS supposed
that the communication at Perryville would he
seized But, encouraged and strengthened by
citizens, aud by one TO whom have delighted 10
give due honor on all fit occasions, the President
OF your great railroad, who put into the service of
the country, and under my charge, the steamer
Maryland, by which was enabled to land at An.
napolis, and without which it would not haye
been possible to do that which YOU have been
pleased 10 term 80 important a service, through
the liberality, patriotism aud far sightedness Of
the citizens OF Philadelphia, through one OF the
its acts almost to have beed the old lepal
nroverb that corporations have nv souls, TLaueh.
ter and applause, was | enabled to do that of
which you have been pleased to speak so well.
Since that day almost to this hour | have heep
in such active service of my country as those
having the right to order have been pleuseJ 10
command, and there can be no higher reward
than the plaudits of my fellow citizens / have
endeevored, so far as might, to deserve the
plaudils OF the friends of my country, and have
been very careless OF the opinion of It's enemies.
Applause.
"You have been pleased to allude TO m act of
high executive responsibility, which, in the per
tormnnee OF duty, became a powerful necessity.
aud that is the execution of William d. Mum
ford. Applause. Owing to the terms in which
the so-caled Confederate Government chose to
demand from my Government an account of that
act 1t was rendered Impossible that any EXPLAIN
ton or report ever could be made. Having BY
! their offensive language cut oil all possible Gov.
eminent communication on the subject it was az.
sumed that some wrong was done, and the pro.
camatlon which you have doubtless all seen haa
been issued Rs consequence. Perhaps it mnv
not be indelicae were | for moment to sneak
of that act.
'On the 18th Of April, if forget OF the date
the Mayor OF New Orleans, writing with the pen
Of lbc lion, Pierre Soule, Informed Commodore
! aiIusut thht there was no man base enough 90
take down the flag Of Louisiana which was raised
upon the City Hall, but that the city was at the
mercy of the Federal forces, aud if the Federal
commander chose to take down the flag of the
State, in token Of the surrender of the city, the
Commodore had.ihe physical power TO do so,
aud would not be interfered with in that act.
Accordingly, on the next mornng the flag Of
the United states was raised over the Mnt-the
property of the United States, After flying a
short time mob, headed by drunken gambler,