Maryland free press., 1866-08-09
THE NEW ORLEANS RIOT.
An Oflcial History Of the Tragedy

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2.-is showing part of the
history connected with the attempt of the usur-
per3 TO hold II convention in New Orleans. and
the riots that resulted thcrefrom, give you COP
les at the correspondence by telegraph between
the President and officials State and Federal in
Louisiana. This correspondence has not been
published, and is now for the first time printed
exclusively in The Sun: ~. ..,..'... .....
Erecutire O0iee. July 2sh.-To his cxcelency
Governor Wells, New Orleans La have been
advised that you have issued proclaim ttion con-
vening the convention elected in 1864 Please
inform me under and by what authority this has
been done, and by what authority this conven-
ton can assume to represent the whole people of
the State of Louisiana. /
.irslFls. ANDREW JOHNSON.
New Orleans July 2sth-IIis cxcellcncy An
drew Johnson, President of the Uated States
Your telegraph received. | have not; issued a
proclamation converting the convention of 1864
This was done by the President of that BODY by
virtue ofresolution adjournng the convention
subject TO lis order, and in that case authorizing
him to call on the proper officer to issue writs of
election in unrcprcsented parishes. My procla-
nation is in response to that call ordering an
election on the Sd day of September. As soon nc
vacancies can be ascertaned, an election will be
held 10 fill, them, when the entire State will be
represented. Your obdt serv't,
-...,.... j. MspIpoS WELLS,
Governor of Louisiana.
Executive ONee, August, /, ls66.-Albert
voorhees,, Lieutenant Governor, or Andrew,J.
Heron, Attorney General, New Orleans Louisi-
apa:-Wcre the civil authorities, State or FEEDER
al, conferred with by Gen Baird before he declar-
I'd martial law2 Could not the civil authorities
State and Federal enforce the law and preserve
order, with the aid of the military, and without
the necessity Of martial law ! hope that order
has been restored and the riot not as disastrous MS
represented. Please show this dispatch to Gen.
Baird ANDngw Joussoy
Ntw Orleans, ! 50 P. NJ, August lst, lsG6.-
Gen. U. s. Grant, Washington: You are doubt
less aware of the ser!nhs riot which occurred in
this city on tho both, D
political body calling Itself The convention of
1864, met on the 30th for as II Ia alleged, the
the State.
The leaders were political agitators and revo.
utionary men, and the action of the convention
was liable to produce breaches of the pnblic
peace had made up MY mind 10 arrest the
head men il the proceedings Of tho convention
were calculated TO disturb the trar guilty of the
department, but had no cause for action until
they committed nm over act
About forty whites and blacks were killed and
one hundred and siXtv wounded. Everything is
now quiet, tut deem it best to maintain anIili
tary supremacy in the city for few days, until
the affair is fully Investigated. believe the sem
timcnt of the general community is great regret
at this unnecessary cruelty, and that the police
could have made any arrest they saw fit without
sacrificing lives, .t' 2 i-''h.''' n
----.-- PHI SHzp,pAv.
Major General EommandiRt.i
The above arc correct copi. of all the imI o.
tant communications received and sent lIy tells
graph reiatiye 10 the nature ant ca &c of the