Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-08-25

IIom the Lieutenant Governor, informing me
that large parties CT negroes were collecting
from all quarters and coming into the centre
OF the city; yet he was not sure of his informa-
ton. However, l nt once sen. for the troops.
Very soon afterwards / learned that riot had
taken place near the convention hail. and
sent san officer TO inv estigate the facts. On
bis return he reported having met Judge
Howell, wro said the convention had ad-
again at y O'Clock p M This reassured me;
but again sent to hasten the arrival Of the
troops. Immediately after this the riot as
sumed serious character. The police, aided
by citizens, became the assailants, and from
the evidence l am forced 10 believe exercised
great brutality in making their arrests.
Finally, they attacked the con vention hall, and
a protracted struggle ensued. The people in
eide the hall gave up. Some who surrendered
were attacked afterwards and brutaily treated
Quite n large number were injured. cannot
Dostie, Mr.. Fish, and perhaps other member.
OF the convent ton, among the number.
On The arriv al Of the troops 1 soon cleared
the streets, and quiet was restored. From the
evidence of bad feeling on the partOf the citi.
zens, and of sympathy with them on the part
of the police, felt compelled to declare mar
tial law in the city and appoint military gov
ernor, from which hope good results will
epsne.
enclose herewith copies OF my correspon-
cence with the Mayor, and OF a despatch
which the Lien'enant Governor claims to ha We
received from the President.
i regret that no reply to my despatch to you
of Saturday has yet reached me. General
Sheridan is still absent in Texas.
remain, sir, very respectfully, your obe-
dent servant A. BAIRD. Brev't Maj Genl,
Commanding Department.
State Of Louisiana, Mayoralty of New Or
leans, City Hall, July 25, 1866 -Brsyet Hojor
General Baird, Commanding Department Of Lou
iStand.-General: body of men claiming to
belong TO the convention Of 1864, and whose
ayowed object is to subvert the present m unic-
ipal and State governments, will, learn, as
semble in this city Oh Mon1ay next.
The laws and ordinances Of the city, which
my oath ofOffice makes obligatory upon me to
see faithfully executed, declares all assemblies
calculated TO disturb the public peace and
tranquility as unlawful, and as such to be dis.
persed by the Mayor, and the participants
held responsible for violating the same.
II my intention to disperse this unlawful
assembly il found within the cooperate limits
ofthe city by arresting the members thereof
and holding them accountable to existing mu.
nicipal laws. provided they meet without the
sanction Of the military authorities.
i will esteem il a favor. General, if, at your
projected meeting has your appreciation, so
that may act accordingly.
am, General, respectfully,
JOIN T. MONROE, Mayor
A true copy py:-NATHAEIRL BURBANK,
First LIent. and Acting A. A. G.
headquarters department of Louisiana, New
Orleans, Louisiana, July 26th, lS66.-Hon
John T. Monroe, Mayor Of Nep Orleans. Sir l
have received you communication ofthe 25th
instant. informing me that n body of men
claiming TO be members of the Con vention of
1864, whose ayowed object is to subyert the
present municipal and Stale governments. is
about TO assemble In this city: and regarding
tins asseRblage as one OF those described in
the law as calculated 10 disturb the public
peace and tranquility, and therefore unla Wful,
you beleve 1t TO be your duty, and that il Is
your intention 10 disperse this unlawful as
sembly, If found within the corporate limits of
the city by arresting the members thereof and
holding them accountable 10 the existing mu-
niclpal laws, provided they meet without the
appreciation OF the military authorities
You also inquire whether this projected
meeting tas my appreciation, so that you may
act accordingly.
In reply have tbe honor to state that the
assenbiage TO which you refer has not, so far
as am aware, the sanction or appreciation OF
any military authority for its meetings. l pre-
sume the gentlemen composing il have never
asksd d for such authority 10 meet, as the mill
iary commanders, since / have been in the
STATE, have held themselves strictly aloof
from all interference with the political move
ments OF the citizens OF Louisiana. For NV
own part l have carefully refrained from any
expression Of opinion upoR either side of the
many questions relating to the reconstruction
OF the State government
When asked if intended TO furnish the con-
Nentlon a military guard, have replied, ssNo;
the Mayor OF the city and his police will amp
" protect its sittings." If these persons as
semble. as you say intended il will be-
presume. in virtue of the universally con-
ceded tight OF all loyal citizens Of the United
States 10 meet peaceably and discuss freely
questions concerning their civil government
q right which is not restricted by the fact that
the movement proposed might terminate In a
change Of existing institutions.
II the Assemblage in question has the legal
right 10 remodel the State government, it
should be protected in so doing; II 1t has not,
then Its labors must be locked uron az a piece
81 0erpless pleaSaGt4y. 70 which no one ought
10 object
As to your conception of the duty imposed
by your oath of office, / regret TO differ with
you entirely. l cannot understand how the
Mayor OF city can undertake 20 decide so i'm
poriant and delicate question as the legal
authority upon which n cor vention, claiming
TO represent the people OF an entire State,
bases its action. This doubtless will be decided
upon in due time by the legal branch Of the
United States Government. At all events, the
Governor of the State would seem to be more
directly called upon to take the initiative in a
step OF this kind, II II was proper and neces-
sary.
What we most want at the present time is
The maipteBance OF perfect order, and the sup
preston of violence. If, when you speak OF
The projected meeting as one calculated to
disturb The public peace and tranquility, /
am TO understand that you regard the number
of persons who differ in opinion from those
who Will constitute il so large and the law
lessness OF their character so well established,
that you doubt the ability Of your small force
of police TO control them you have in that
case only 10 call upon me and i will bring 10
your NOT only tue now pre-
sent in the city, but, if necessary, the entire
force which it may be in nv power to assem-
ble either upon land or water.
Lawless violence must be suppressed: and
IN this connection the recent order OF the
Lieutenant General, designed for the protec-
tion OF citizens of the United States, deserves
careful consideration. 1t imposes high obli.
cations for military interference to protect
those who, having violated no confidence in
the State, are engaged In peaceful avocations
l am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, A. BAIRD, Brevet Major Gen'l,
commanding Department Of Louisiana
A true copy:-NATHAEIEL BURBANK.
First Lieut. and Acting Asst AdI't Gen.
From New Orleans Newspaper, of Monday
morning, July 30
PRESIDENT JOHNSON AND THE CONVENTION
TIE MILITARY EXPECTED To SUSTAIN NOT
TO oBsTRCCT, THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COURTS.
The following dispatch from President John
son 10 Lieut.. Cow oorhees is one from which,
III the circumstance that called IL forth, salts
factory deductions may be drawn. We cannot
doubt that the President gives no countenance
10 the pTetenslons OF those members of the de-
fupct convention of 1864 who are endeayoring
10 Ieipstate IL; and we can only believe, as
Chief, he will see that, on
proper occasion, the judicial and other au.
tborities OF the State, as now constituted will
be protected by the military against violence
from within or from without:
WASHINGTON, ID. @. July IS, 1s6S-To Albert