The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-01-25
Letter from the Crescent City.
NEW ORLEANS. Jan. -. Il

r.,-,, NEW ORLEANS, Jan. -, 1865.
The arrest of the ex-rebel Admiral Semmes
has caused much discomfort among the s'sym-
pathizers," not only in this city but in the sur
rounding country. l have the following YER
sion of the details of his arrest from one of
his most intimate friends, who was in Mobile
at the time. I give it for what it may be
worth.
a About two o'clock in the morning, Semmes,
who lives about two miles from Mobile, was
awakened by the clatter Of horses hoofs, and
soon Federal officer, with band of men, de-
manded his surrender and immediate depar-
g ture for Mobile. His family demonstrated
against this strange and uncalled-for proceed
ing, and prayed his captors to let him remain
at least until day-breal, which they refused
but took them with them. When the news of
his arrest became known, and the manner of
it, the people in and about Mobile were much
excited, and threats and curses were loud
and many. If this, they said, is the plan of
reconciliation, the North is adopting it will
not be long before they viii see that we 1.-THE
South are not to be used as dogs and whipped
ours, with whom they can do as they please.
We have been overpowered but not whipped
or cowed, and still have the rights of citizens,
and have a right to be protected from ruthless
arrest and false Imprisonment. We have been
paroled, Semmes with u.s. Are we now to be
taken from our beds in the dead Of night and
hustled off to prison without knowing why or
for what we are arrested? If that is the way
the Government is to do, our paroles are
worthless and Government has broken its
faith.
The action Of Government in arresting
Semmes is disapproved by many Unionists as
well as Southerners, as entirely unnecessary
and unjust.
Paul Morphy, the noted player, who
created quite an excitement at the North
some time since, and then came South, is now
in New Orleans, and acts as President of the
N. 0. Chess Club, which meets at the Mer-
chants Exchange News Rooms nightly.
Among the noted rebel celebrities engaged
in business here, notice Generals Longstreet.
Elwell and Buckner. Beauregard lis General
Superintendent and Chief Engineer of the
New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern
Railroad, on which road tri-weekIy trains are
run from, New Orleans to Canton.
There are many travelling agents for North
ern houses now in this city, many of whom
feel very blue upon learning the substance of
the new city tax law which took effect Janua-
ry LIST, 1856. ts 5-
Sec rs provides that, "All persons not resi-
dent Of the city or State, acting for themselves,
or as agents for others, who shall receive Or
oers or display samples, or sell goods in any
manner whatever, shall pay one hundred dol
= lars"
Thus agents of Northern manufacturers
and manufacturing firms are not EXEMPT. but
are liable to taxation the same as those of the
city. Besides, the State imposes another fax
upon merchants, manufacturers and aopnts3
which makes the travelling agents license tax
large sum, Tightening many of them AWAY
though not much vigilance is exerch ell by the
officials having the matter in charge
There have been many remarks made all
over the country on the "bulls" made bv
Washington correspondents. The latest. best
is in a despatch to the Houston Telegrapb
which says: Raphael Senmes is to be quar-
tered and tried in the Old Capitol" 1t will
a little hard on the "AdmiraF' to be quartered
and then tried.
The theatres are all doing well, with full
houses and large profits. Mr.. and Mrs. Chas.
Kean in Shakesperian plays are at the St
Charles,
some iears are entertained ofthe smallpox
visiting the city, as it is prevailing to great
extent at Mobile, Selma and other nlacee A
man was picked from the street last NIGHT wifi,
this fearful disease. AT Selma negroes ara not
allowed to be in the city without special nor
NIT as il is among this class that the disease
is most prevalent.
The fall in cotton in New York caused
great anxiety among brokers and holders Of
the article here-causinga great demand fol
vessels for Europe, dealers preierring to shin
rather than sell at present rates.
Foreign freights are firm with but few YES
seis-not much doing in coastwise The rates
are "a cents perpound for cotton by steam
ship for New York; IA for Boston, and