Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-08-11
LETTER FROM NEW ORLEANS.

LETTER FROM NEW ORLEANS.
The following is an extract from ie''el
written by an Alexandrian, though now anu
for several years previous to the war, resi-
dent of the Crescent city, where ne Is engaged
in one Of its largest commercial houses. Ow-
mo 10 the extreme irregularity Of the South
ern mail its reception has been delayed, but
still, we imagine, it will prove interesting:
New ORLEANS, July 3lst, 1866.
suppose before this comes to hand you will
have heard all about the bloody doings here yes
terday, and may feel uneasy for me; L am glad
to say that none Of us are hurt, although the
battle surged all around our office tor nearly
two hours. We were all out on the balconies
looking on, and [ expected every moment some
one of us, would catch it, tut curiosity over
came fear, and we saw more than ever care to
see repeated.
For hours men were being carried by our
oAice to the Police Station, some dead and ter
rih]v battered, Others, both white and black,
streaming with blood. We have no list Of
killed and wounded as yet. The killed are sup:
posed to amount to forty or fifty the wounded
to several hundred, mostly negroes.
It is great pity it ever commenced, but 1t
may have good effect by showing the negroes
that the whites will no longer put up with
their insulting arrogance.
AS YOU NAV not be able to understand the
origin of the difficulty, | will explain it to you.
In 1864 Convention was held to remodel the
constitution, it, the State, then being under
Federal rule, and when that Convention ad-
iourned. they did 50 to meet again, if SO order
ed by their president Well, since the peace,
the whole power of the State has again fallen
into the hands Of the old citizens, or Rebels, II
YOU please, and all the Union (loyal) office
holders turned out. They were not pleased
with this state of things, and sought to break
it up. To do this they called upon the Presl-
dent of the defunct Convention to reconvene It,
declare the State offices all vacant, dlstranch1se
all who could not take the test oath, and confer
the franchise only upon those who could take
it, including the negroes Judge Durel the
President, refused to reconvene the ConVentlon1
declared the whole thing reasonable, and tend
inc to create discord and bloodshed. The rad
ical members of the Convention, headed by
Michael Hahn, Judge Howell, Doctor Dost
and some others concluded to hold the Con-
yentiou ANYHOW, declared the office of President
as vacated, ard elected Judge Howell to be
their President, the Convention to assemble on
yesterday &c.
On Friday night meeting was held by them
in and about Mechanics Hall, attended by a
few whites and great numbers Of negroes
Here the most violent harangucs were uttered.
The negroes counselled by their white leaders,
to kill every white that opposed them. You
may be sure that the whites had reason to ex-
pect trouble The negroes thus melted did
make some hostile demonstrations that same
evening, but nothing very serious occurred.
Yesterday the CONVENTION met; only some
twenty-five out Of seventy odd members an
swering to their names. They were soon how
ever Joined by delegation Of negroes, from
the down town districts, marching in process
sion with music &C. These negroes anticipat-
ing some disorder were all armed one way or
another, and seemed ready to clean out the
whites on the slightest proyocation. Wellthey
missed it. Very few Of the police OF whites
were killed, although the negroes fired upon the
crowds congregated about, but the negroes
were literally butchered Michael Hahn was
nearly torn to pieces by the people, and was
carried by in a cart guarded by policemen. He
was covered with blood, and but for the cool
ness Of Chief of Police, Adams, would have end
ed his miserable existance on the spot. Some
Of the other members were roughly handled,
but were protected by the police. DR.. Dostie
the man who calls himself the Robespierre Of
New Orleans, was severel if not fatally wound
ed 1t was he Who on the Friday night pre-
vious, advised the negroes to kill the whites &C.
The negroes are said to be likely to make
further mischief, but after yesterdays expert
ence think they will come to the conclusion
that white man is mighty unsartain and be-
have themselves.
During the whole time, negroes were driving
about on their drays, or in otherways attend
ing to their own business, and not one was mo-
lested only those who had attended the Con-
vention. The feeling towards the negroes IS
rather one OF pity. -
The white men who led them on are the
most to blame.
There is no feeling Of insecurity amongst US,
as the whites arc pretty wdl armed and far
| out number the negroes MAURICE.