The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-08-01
The Hawthorn Case in Rapidaa

Mrs. Hawthorn, living IN Rapides parish.
in this State, was some time since indicted.
for stealing cotton. Mr.. Hawthorn, tic
husband Of Mrs. Hawthorn, made stats.
ment to the military authorities to the effect
that the indictment had been found only
because himself and wife had been union.
lists during the war. The letter Of Haw.
thorn, was sent down to Gen. Baird, aud
by the General referred to Gov. Wells. a
letter was received a few days ago by tn
Governor from Judge w. B. Lewis, oftto
Ninth Judicial District, irwhose couftthe
indictment is made, in which he succsss-
fully refutes the SANDER. Gov Wells had
in the meantime written to two well-known
gentlemen Of the parish, Messrs. Williams
and Bacon, the last named the present Post.
master at Alexandria, asking them to e1-
anime into the matter closely. and report u
him their views. The following letter from
Mr.. Bacon, in relation tothe matter will
repay persua'.
ALEXANDRIA, July 2. 1866.
To his Excellency, j. Madison Wells Gov.
ernor Of the State OF Louisiana:
Sir Leaving ito my colleague, Mr.. Will
liams to make such answer to your communi.
cation of June 81 relating to the affair Of
Mrs. Hawthosn, and the statements repors
ted to Major Gen. Baird Of the condition
Of affairs here. and referred by him to you
for information, ! have the honor to state
that have taken pains to ascertain the facts
and form correct judgment about them, |
am we'll aware Of the delicate and serious
nature Of all questions which supposes
collision between civil and mi itary authors
ty ;also how, in times Of such excitement
as we have just passed through. passion aud
prejudice becioud the minds Of otherwise
honest people. feel too, how much it 10
to be desired that nothing should now b
done to interrupt the progress towards
general quiet and good will. have there.
fore made all my inquiries cautiously, from
all sorts Of people, and without letting
any one know the occasion Of them. ]
must remark, in the frat y ace, that I was
somewhat surprised at the implied state
ments that our courts here were conducted
in partial and vindietive ways towards
Union men. During the late term Of the
District Court, Iin May.] / was in town
every day, aud continually saw people who
had business there yet ! never heard this
said or intimated
/ I have myself important interests pend.
ing there aud whether wisely or not, have
no apprehensions about leaving them hes
fore court and jury il Rapidas. know
there are vindictiye and preiudiced uenD
but I think they ore controlled BY the gen.
4 eral good sense, which desires fair dealing
to all, and oblivion OF the past
/ Lieut.. Col. McFadden has certainly
been lrisled ia the statement about the ins
dfctments found. ] know myself OF the
case Of a Confederate soldier indicted aud
tried prosecuted. too, with much severity
bv persons of his own party-who was very
properly acquitted. In another case, tho
grand jury threw out q bill against two
men fol- larceny, one Of whom had been 10
the National aud the other In the Confed.
lerate service. Lieut.. Col. McFaddsn, /
think, has not been long here, and per- ape
has only heard the violent and prejudiced
perhaps somewhat interested statement,
Of few men. Because i man Is on the
right side in great public controversy, Z
does not make him good, less wise and
unprejudiced man.
As to the particular case of Mr., Haw.
thorn, think there is some neighborltood
luminosity and vindictiveness mingled with
lie. Capt. H., also though formerly much
esteemed by his neiebors shares IN some
odium that fell upon the Louisiana Scouts
for the violent conduct Of some Of their
number in 1864, which at that time drew
the attention and action Of Gen. Grover.
Nevertheless, Ibelieve Mrs. a. could safe.
lily leave her case (of the facts OF which !
know nothing) to the able court and such :
| fair jury as believe would pass upon It
here. If any oppression then seemed TO
result it would be time enough to consider
q remedy.
! should regard it as great calamity to
disturb the course Of civil justice NOW BY
any such interference as asked for.
| With great respect, ] am your Excsllen.
cy's obedent servant,
THoxAs s. BAcos.