The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-05-19


To his Excellency Governor Andrews.
Secretary Stanton ON the PHOTOGRAPH
Business. 't r---..
A firm of Photographers in New York
doubtless with an eye to- the pecuniary
profits, photographed the remains of the
late president as they lay in state at the
City Hall in that city. This was done
with the concent of the New York com.
mon council and all of the officers in spe.
cial charge of the remains The enter
prise met with untimely interference by
the presentation to the photographers Of
the following dispatch
To Major General Dir:
have received dispatch from the Sec.
photograph of the presidents remains in New
York. The secretary orders that the provost
marshal go to the photographers, seize and
destroy the plates and pictures of engravngs
that may have been made Please report to
the secretary the execution Of this order.
(SigneD E. D. TowNsENED, A. A. G.
In card on the subject, Quincy & Son,
the photographers, say:
We Immediately proceeded to Washing
ton, to lay the case before Secretary STAN
ton, with whom we had two interviews,
laying before him the facts above men
toned. But the honorable Secretary did
not seem disposed to grant such an inter-
view as was desired, and remarked to us {:
"Sir, as far as historical picture is con-
cerned, know all about that it is mere
matter of trade with you"-telling US we
might call for his decision on the following
day. We called the following day, not
over confident from the mlldness of our
first interview and were simply informed
that in Difference to the wishes of Mrs.
Lincoln the plate must be destroyed, and
that we should get our orders from Gen.
Dix. ~
We will not enter into our analysis Of
the motives of the honorable Secretary of
War in promulgating these orders against
our plans; but when, on our return, we
were happily surprised to find only one
negative had been destroyed by Gen. Dix,
with whom we had most agreeable inter-
view, eliciting the fact that he had, unsoli-
cited by us, addressed a letter to the Secre-
tary of War, Enclosing one of our photo
graphic proofs, and copy of one of the
illustrated papers, with thereqnest that, as
the New York illustrated papers had been
permitted to publish wood cut engravings
of the remains, Messrs. Quincy Il Son
might be permitted to 60 on with their
large historical picture, to be submitted to
the approval of the family of the late pres.
ident, we could not but feel that, in all
Justice, the same privileges should be ex-
tended to US which were enjoyed by the
illustrated journals, and which probably
will hereafter be extended to every en-
graver in the country. And We regard
this delay as favorable to us. We patient
ly await the result of Gen. Dix's letter to
the secretary ID ewar, and at this writing
have before US letter from the general as
follows ...,,.-.g
Headquarters /
DEPaRrMEST OF THE EAST. }
Messrs j. Quincy & Co.: -. [+..
GENTLEMES The negatives and photo
graphs sent to my headquarters, representing
the remains of president Lincoln at the City
Hall, have been destroyed by order OF the wal
| department, ~ l'.&.-.. ~
~" -.. Very respectfully yturs,
JOHN 4. DIX. Maj. Gen.
| This ends the last scene in the small
drama enacted by the Hon. Secretary O.
the war department.
May the laurels won IN this outslaugh
upon individual operations, destined tt
crafty and supply want, to which thu
multitude Of letters in our Office will attest
adorn the son of Mars.
We beg to state, in order that we may
not be misconstrued, that if any imme
date member. of the lamented President.
family had seen fit to have expressed to q:
! the desire that we should refrain from
publishing the intended photographs O.
the Presidents remains, such expression
would have found immediate and cheerful
action on our part. 1t has never been oul
| desire to do anything which might wound
or distress the feelings of those who
through their association with the honored
dead, have become sharers in the love OF
! devotion paid him by the nation. Not.
/ withstanding this, We cannot refrain from
expressing our disapprobation of theinter.
/ ference of Mr.. Stanton, and we trust that
having been once successful in the seizure
of private property, it may not be con-
sidered q precedent, else who is safe from
the honorable secretary.
Of course, if Secretary STANTON may
! destroy one lot Of photographs, he may