Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-09
REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT.
How the Riot was Produced.


Asst Louis paper of yesterday CON
tains part Of report to the President on
the subject of the New, Orleans riot We
give the following extract from it
On FRIDAY, the eth of July, a large
meeting was held in the hall of the House
of Representatives, professedly Tor the
advocacy of universal suffrage, but IN
reality TO organize for the meeting OF the
Convention. On the Monday following,
the object of the meeting was 10 arouse
the passions and prejudices of the col
ored population so as 10 make them the
victims of riot by urging them headlong
into conflict with the State and NUM-
cipal authorities. Hne
On the other hand, We were determined
10 prevent riot and bloodshed, by pursu-
ing such course as would battle the ne
farious calculations of those agitators.
Our remedy II and the only remedy
must be by recourse to the usual process
of law, and even then to proceed IN such
a way as to fasten upon them the respon-
sibility of all collision whatever.
The case was submitted to the Grand
Jury by the Attorney General, and IN
the meantime the Lieut. Governor and
the Mayor called upon Gen. Baird to
ascertain whether, If warrant issued
upon a regular indictment were placed
in the hands of the Sheriff for the arrest
of the members of the Convention, the
military would interfere2 The answer
was that the Sheriff himself would be
arrested, and that the Convention meet
ing peaceably could not be interiered
with by the officers of the law.
II is proper here to state that the
Mayor had previously addressed note
to General Baird, inquiring whether he
would be interfered with by the military
in case he would proceed 10 disperse the
Convention as an unlawful assemblage.
The answer TO the communication was
that the meeting of the Convention being
peaceable it could not be suppressed by
the Mayor, and that the military author
tiles would prevent the interference of
the civil authorities.
1t was suggested by the Lieutenant
Governor that the city authorities, under
these circumstances, did not intend to
interfere to prevent the meeting of the
Convention; but be proposed that in case
a warrant of arrest were placed in the
hands of the Sheriff, the latter, before
attempting TO execute it, would call upon
the General, who thereupon would in
dorse his objections and the matter would
at once be submitted TO the President
This arrangement was satisfactory to
both parties.
On the same day the Attorney Gene
raj and the Lieutenant Governor tele-
graphed TO the President to ascertain
whether the process of the Court for the
arrest of the members of the Conven-
ton could be thwsrted by the military.
The answer was expected to sustain the
Courts
On Sunday, the 29th, the State and
municipal authorities called upon the
press to advise the people as to the proper
conduct toward the Convention to be
held the next day, so as 10 avoid all
collision and riot, and the Mayor issued
his proclamation TO the same effect
The press of the city, with the ercep-
ton Of the Radical organ, gave wise and
salutary counsel TO the public, inviting
all good citizens 10 avoid congregating
about the capitol, and to behave them
selves with prudence and discretion.
On the morning Of the Both the local
Governor called upon Gen Baird to COM
municate to him the Presidents dispatch,
and also inquired of the General If he
would not have some troops in the vicin-
ity Of the hall to preserve peace and
good order. -.
Gen. Baird answered that applications
had been made by members of the Con-
vention. The suggestion was then made
that to have too large a police force on
the spot, might be construed as meant TO
overase the meub ers, and that inasmuch
as the civil authorities did not intend in.
terfering with the Convention, until in
structions were received from the Presi-
dent as above agreed Oh, it was proper
to have troops to cooperate with small
police force to preserve peace and pre-
vent ell possible attempt TO bring about
q collision.
This suggestion met the approval Of
the General, who then stated that be
would give immediate orders to have the
troops in readiness. Before the end Of
this interview Il was again agreed upon
between Gen. Baird aud the Lieut. Gov
ernor that whatever warrant Of arrests
might be placed in the hands Of the
Sheriff it would be submitted to him be.
fore any attempt to have 1t executed
and that upon the Endorsement OF the
Generals objections the matter would
be referred TO the President
The Mayor being informed Of this ar
rangement, sent but q small police
force TO the vicinity Of the hall, and the
troops that we're TO act in conjunction
with the police we're eagerly expected
At noon information having reached
the Lieutenant Governor that in th'
Third District there was commence
ment Of disturbances, and that larg'
numbers Of negroes were coming towar'
Laurel street from above aud below, h
Immediately sent a dispatch 10 the Gen
eral conveying this Intelligence and urg
ing that the troops be sent without delay
About an hour afterwards the RIO
broke out, ending in the dispersion OF th
Convention. The capture Of the rioter
included several members OF this body
Il is not our purpose TO urge the question
! Of the facts as 70 the actual commence
ment Of the collision aud FIX precisel
the mode and manner in which Il oril
mated. We will, however, remark tina
the collision was in every instanc
brought about by the armed mob sustain
ing the Convention.