Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-02-16
Removals in New OrIeans-COrres
pOndence between Gems. Grant and
Hancock.

pOndence between Gems. Grant and
Hancock.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-In the House
to-day, the Speaker submitted the follow
ing:
In compliance with resolution of the
House on the 18th Of February, / have
the honor to transmit herewith copies of
the correspondence between Gen. Hancock
and myself relative to the removal, by
Gen. Hancock, Of the CounciImen in the
city of New Orleans.
Very respectfully your obedient servant
U. S. GRANT, General.
New ORLEANS, Feb GEN. u. S.
GRANT: | have removed nine members of
the City Council, two white and seven
colored, for contempt of orders of the mill
tary commander in proceeding to an cleo
ton for a Recorder for the second district
and which is an elective office under the
laws by the people, and not by the Council.
The attempt to hold the election was made
while | was absent in Texas but the Coun-
ell was referred to Gen. Sheridan's order
forbidding elections until reconstruction is
complete, without the authority of the
Commanding General. Nevertheless these
members voted an immediate election, and
the project was carried. The election was
about to be completed when one or two
members, more timid than those, Withdrew
thereby breaking up quorum.
A case in point is the order of General
Mower, of Oct. 10, 1867, removing the JEFF
ferson City council for a like offense. Nv
action in this matter was in accordance
with thepower granted by the reconstruc-
ton act, which allows a district commander
TO suspend or remove persons from Office.
and provide, from time to time, for the
performance of the duties OF persons re-
moved, by appointment.
WINFIELD 8. HANCOCK.
WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-Mai. Gen. "
s. Hancock, New Orleans: Suspend your
order removing the city council of New
Orleans until full report of reasons are
received. Answer by mail.
L. 8. GRANT, General.
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. $50 P. M-Gen.
U. s. Grant Your dispatch of Feb. 9Th.
directing me to suspend my order of the
9TH, removing certain members of the city
council of New Orleans until a fall report
Of my reasons therefor should be sent, was
received at 10 o'clock A. NJ. to-day. |
request that you may reconsider yonr
action, and any order in the premises
be not suspended until you have full re-
port of reasons called for by you. tele-
graphed you at the moment the order was
issued, giving az full statement of my
reasons, az thought could be needed, and
| referred you to the order Gen. Sheridan
forbidding elections, which you have on
file at your headquarters, and stated that
the City Council had been previously
notified OF this order by me. | also re-
ierred you to the order of Gen. Mower
issued in October, which AT least sets forth
parallel case, and which you have on file
in that case. An appeal vas taken TO you
for the reinstatement of the Council re-
moved by Gen. Mower, which appeal Won
have not sustained. The present case was
in defiance Of that example of Gen. Sheri-
dams order and my own letter, caniioning
the council to desist in this election, and
forwarded to you printed copy, January
Goth.
1t was also illegal under the law by
which they claimed TO act. was aston
ished at the action of the council and could
not account for it, except by the fact thai
they had been instigated TO do il by de.
signing men who believed If | dared make
trial OF removals it would end in my own
removal, and they would be protected At
any rate, my seltrespect az commander of
this district made it absolutely necessary
should take summary measures regardless
of the consequence with which partisans
might threaten me. do not know what
fuller report could he furnished in this
case, for all papers explaining my action
have been sent 10 You. TO suspend my order
would be to destroy my usefulness and
would necessltate a respectful request to
he relieved from my present command.
Although ! have been here twenty days
this is the second occasion | have taken
on my possibility, to make removals.
the first one two days previous to this, both
for grave cases reported to you in detail
by telegraph. While fully recognize the
the powers of the General-in-Ch Chief to dis
approve my action, | respectfully request.
az have acted upon full knowledge of
the facts, that the General-in Chief NAV
delay his action until he can inform me
what further papers or information he may
disire in addition to what have been FIR
nished for the full understanding of the
case under consideration NV action in
mentary reconstruction act of July, 1867
/ await your reply before issuing the order.
w. ). HANCOCK, r.
Major General Commanding.
WAsHINGToNf Feb. ll.--MAJ. GENERAL
w. g. HANCOCK, New Orleans: If your
order removing the CITY Council has been
executed, and the new appointees are in,
you need not suspend the order "a directed.
u. s. GRANT, General
NEY ORLEANS, Feb. ll.-GEN. u. S. |
GRANT, Commanding the United States
army The change in the Cily Council
was an accomplished fact when your dis
patch Of the 9th of February was received
and several Of the appointees had already
filed copies of their Oaths Of Office. In nv
selection have appointed the best m en- to
the Office, without regard to the political
opinions. All wait to take the REQUIRED
oath, and the change will be of immense
advantage 10 the city, as the poor Of the
city are dependent upon them.
WINFIELD S. HANCOCK,
Major General Z. s. A.