Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-06-08
FROM NEW YORK.

New York, June Ga New Orleans
special says Gen. Sheridan having been
asked for his reasons for his removals,
this day forwarded the following:
HEADQUARrERs FIFTH NIL. DISTRICT.
To Gen. U. S. Grant, Commanding Armies Of
the United States, Washington:
GENERAL: On the goth of May last l
removed from office Judge E. Abel, of the
Criminal Court of New Orleans, Andrew
]. Heron, Attorney General of the State
of Louisiana and Jno f. Monroe, Mayor
of the city of New Orleans.
These removals were made under the
power granted me in what is usr.lly
termed the Military bill, passed iarch
9th, 1867, by the Congress of tie United
States. / did not deem it necessary
after the investigation made by the
military board on the massacre of July
Both, 1866, and the report of the Con-
gressional Committee on the same mas
sacre, but as some inquiry has been made
for the cause of the removal, / would
respectfully state as follows:
The court over which Judge Abel pre-
sided is the only criminal court in the
city of New Orleans, and for period of
at least nine months previous to July
30th, be has been educating large por
ton Of the community to the perpetra-
ton of this outrage, by almost promising
no prosecution in his court against the
offenders in case such an event occurred.
The record of this court will show that
he fulfilled his promise, as not one of the
guilty ones has been prosecuted.
In reference to Andrew j. Heron,
Attorney General of the State of Louisi-
ana, consider it his duty to indict these
men before this Criminal Court. This
be failed to do, but went as far as Ia
attempt to impose on the good sense of
the whole nation by indictng the victims
of the riot, instead Of the rioters. In
other words making the innocent guilty,
and the guilty innocent He was there
fore an abettor and coadjutor with Judge
Abel in bringing on the massacre of
July 30.
Mayor Monroe controlled the element
engaged in this riot, and when backed
by an Attorney General who would not
prosecute the guilty, and Judge who
advised the grand jury to find the limo
cent guilty and let the murderers go free,
felt secure in engaging his police force
| in the riot and massacre. With these
three men exercising a large influence
| on the worst elements of this city, giving
| to the elements an immunity for riot and
| bloodshed, the General-in Chief will see
how insecure felt in letting them oc.
cupy their positions during the troubles
which might occur in registration and
voting in the reorganization.
am, General, very respectfully, your
obedient servant.
ISirned. P. H. SHERIDAN,
Major General, u S. A.
General Sheridan also telegraphed
General Grant: Registry returns from
most of the parishes Of the State have
been received, also the reports of the
officers who supervised them, and can
report to you the greatest success, and
that the best Of feeling is existing among
the people.
A Washington special says Genera
Sher;san is believed to be guilty Of dis
obedience Of orders in removing Gov
Wells, after having received the Telegram
from Secretary Stanton directing him Il
| suspend all further action in the case o
the Levee Commissioners; and It Il
reported this evening that Gen. Gran
and Mr.. Stanton bad q conference 10
day on this question, At which General
Grant favored the administration Of {
reprimand 70 General Sheridan, caution
ing him 70 greater prudence in thl
future, instead Of ordering him 70 b
| removed