Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-07-23
JSO. 4. HOFFMAN.
His Movements Prior to the
Riot.
The Charges of the Tribune
Quashed.

The Charges of the Tribune
Quashed.
Staff.
UTICA, July 22.-Gen. McQuade, of
Gov. Hoffman's staff, writes a letter to
the Utica Observer, relative to the charge
made by the New York Tribune. He
says unqualifedly that Gov. Hoffman
did mot learn through him, on Monday,
July 10, that Mayor Hall intended to
suppress the Orange procession.
''Tbe only grain of TRUTH" says the
General, Sin the mass of falsehood, is
the fact that Gov. Hoffman was in New
York on Monday for short time. &C.
companied the Governor from Newport
and reached New York by the steamer
Providence, on Monday morning, the
10th inst. The Governor had an engage
ment in Albany which he wished to full
fill, and to this end was DESTROYS of TAX
ing the ga. NJ. train on the Hudson River
Railroad. He telegraphed from New
port for carriage to be IN waiting to
convey him to the railroad station az soon
as the boat arrived. The New York
boat as usual on Monday morning, was
about an hour late.
GAS soon as the boat reached the dock
we went ashore. Carriages were waiting
and we entered, intending to reach the
s O'Clock train if possible. As it was
questionable whether the train could be
reached in time, the Governor decided to
breakfast in New York and take the fast
train at 10 o'clock for Albany. We went
to the Clarendon Hotel, where the Gov
ernor remained, and was driven to the
Gilsey Honse; directing the coachman to
return at 10 o'clock to take the Governor
to the railroad. did not see the Gov
ernor again until after his return from
Albany the next night. While conVers-
ing on our way to the Clarendon the
proposed Orange procession was dis
cussed.
"Whatever people may say now after
the affair is over, believe there were few
anticipated any serious riot on the 18th,
until Monday morning. When people
learned that the Archbishop of New
York found sufficient cause of alarm to
induce him to warn his flock not to mo-
lest the Orange procession, even then the
public supposed that his admonition and
those of his priests would prove effectusl
in restraining the violence of the people,
forgetting that rioters and ruffians arc not
habitual chnrch-goers.
81 say this because l did not myself
appreciate the danger. l told the Gov
ernor that did not believe few fanatics
would have influence enough with their
countTymen to induce them to modest the
procession and that | was confident there
would be no serious disturbance. The
Governor requested me to learn what l
could about the matter and telegraph to
him at Albany.
''The same afternoon, about one
o'clock, went to the Office of Superin-
tendent Kelso. He was closeted with the
Commissioners, and l waited. He said
that serious riot was threatened from
collision of the Orange procession and
some called target companies of the other
side, who were determined to parade on
the same day with the Orangemen. |
asked him whether measures had been
taken to suppress any disturbance, and
he said that the policemen and military
were both prepared. He said, however,
he was not at liberty to communicate any
particulars, and that Gen. Smaller had
charge of the military.
81 then called upon Gen. Shaler, who
said proper military force had been pro-
vided to preserve the peace, but that or
ders would not be issued until noon next
day, Tuesday. l told him that wanted
to telegraph the Governor. He asked
me tOssee Mayor Hall.
"AbOut three O'Clock, l went TO the
Mayors office, which was closed. l
made inquiry of various officials in the
order of the officers in the vicinity, but
none of them seemed to know where the
Mayor could be found.
81 left the building intending to return
to my hotel and communicate the Cover
nor what l had learned from SupeTin-
tendent Kelso and Gen. Shaler, when
CHANGED 10 meet gentleman of my &C
qaintance, Mr.. W. II. Davis, who, upon
learning that was DESTROYS Of seeing the
Mayor, said that he was acquainted with
one of the messengers, who could posi-
bly, tell me where l would find him. l
returned with Mr. Davis, and with the
aid of one of the City Hall officials found
the Mayor and conversed with him for
short time about the procession. He
suhstantiated what had been said by
Superintendent kelso and Gen. Shaler,
that proper precsution had been taken to
preserve the peace, although, he said, the
affair appeared to be very serious.
81 left the Mayor about $50 or
O'Clock, and telegrspbed to Gov. HOff-
maa that thought everything was right
but would write. l wrote him givin
in detail of everything that l had
learned from the Mayor, Superintendent
of Police and Gen. Shaler.
''The Tribune asks if the Governor did
not communicate with Mayor Hall
through me and then go to Albany2 The
Governor wentto Albany at 1890 o'clock
n. saw Mayor Hall at P. NJ. the
same day. l have given here every par
ticular of my connection with this affair.
l think the question of the Tribune an
swered fully. am ready to answer any
other reasonable question that it may put.
GAMES MoQUADE."