The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-01-13

The following official report relating to affairs
in Arkansas has been received at Grants head.
quarters:
LITTLE Rock ARK, Dec. 26.-Gen. Babcock
ano arrived 4ere two days ago. So many con-
Trajectory repotts have been in circulation 10 re.
gard TO Gov CkAytons militia, that it may be well
LOT you 10 know the facts. The present State gov.
eminent was CERTAINLY in some danger previous
10 the presideatiAl election. Senator Baker had
been shot aud pounded badly, Mr.. Upham, of the
lower House, POUNDED, Mr.. Hsnes, member Of
congress, and Ia freedman of the bureau Office
killed, and a United States marshal driven from
his post by threats.
The governor Senator Rice and others had 10
sleep IN the Stase house. under guard for fear NJ
hsssssinston. Inc governor wisely refrained
from taklDg any violent measures until after the
election. fearink that the opDosiiian mioht nsks
cspital out OF u. AS soon as IL was over he or
gsnized a militia force of about eight hundred
meD-one-fourti co0red-under Gen. Catterton
IN the southwest, and Uphsm in the northwest
win orders u hve of Of the country taking what
was absolutely necessary and giving vouchers
hls intention Is 10 pay all loyal holders of vouch
ers, ana no Otfers. Two assassins have already
been executed by sentence of the military com.
mission and sfyen others are in prison. aud a
great number hive been driven out of the State:
but the best result is the disposition of all bust.
ness men to enroll themselves as a posse pledged
to assist the sbefifs to arrest awless characters
II the governmsht will relieve them from martial
law. lie has accepted many such pledges, and
martial law exists only in parts of seven Counties
Inc entre conservative wing of the Republican
party were opl8se to the declarati IN OF martial
law, including Zen. Smith, U. S. A, Commanding
the uoops. 1sey admitted the reign of terror
established by f1e rebels, but wanted the United
otatee 10 makeShe arrests.
Gov. ClaytoEss arguments In favor of his poliev
are as follows 5The UGited States tropps do not
KNOW tne pe0fe and the country. The lawless
Dehave while tfs United States troops are ia the
vicinity, but brEak out worse than ever when they
ieave' fhe re tets are generally anxious TO have
mem, as creftes an expenditure of money in
tneI MIDST, irofl which they reap a benefit. The
militia punishes all the dsloyal, and extorts pro.
nses rom these men to respect the Law, as these
people nave tbrsatened to break up the State gov
eminent as soon as the United States troops are /
removed. Tbsteaches them that the State ia sbIe
10 TAKE care OF itself. The militia has been under
tolerabie good control, and the plunderiug re.
Posoeu .ne press the taking of supplies under
white womans but was Immediately arrested BY
General Patterson, who seems to be a yery good /
man, and convicted and executed.
The governors policy has no doubt seriously in.
terfered with business where martial Ia has been
proclaimed sDd injured business men OF all parties
hence the opposition from loyalists. Ii has inter.
Tered with travel; taken of hands for the militia
~ season when they were badly needed, and
created many panics. 1t has however accom-
pllshed much IaOre good than the most sanQuine
expected. and Sen. Smith acknowledges that the
governors lud ement was better than his. and the
result would ity justify the action of the former
The governor Is now disposed TO relieve each
county from martial law as soon as il can be done
'afely. The governor is certainly man of inteli
renee and nerve, and has labored under djfeplties
hat would have deferred q less able oHi,er. Four
l nYusanS srms were seized and thrown off boat
men Tor Officers and 10 the eastern counties he
ad TO depend entirely upon the negroes for soI
hers Very respectfully,
HORACE PORTER, A. D. C.