The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-11-18

tial government OF tie city, to the military
forces OF the United Statss, although ~ il
telegrsphie communicatioa With the MAYER. q
will appear BY several dispatches that will here.
matter be mentioaed, nor did either Of then when
We met. On the 12 day Of October, and discussed
tho affairs Ut the city ct some length, inform me
that the government of the state was no longer
equal to its duties, or that tho mayor had deter.
mined, AS he has elsewhere said, to avail himself
OF the strong arm Of the military power of the
United States. Whether they suppose that to
be matter in which neither nor the legi sla-
ture OF the state. which was convened t. meet on
the next day to legislate for Chicago. had the
least concern, or that the assent OF the legisla-
ture and the governor might be safely presumed,
am not prepared to cay. but they left me to
make the discovery as others did, so I received
no information Of the existence OF the procla-
ation of the mayor, or of Lieut.. Gen. Sheri.
dams construction of his powers under it, until
the 18th of October, and only heard OF the regi-
ment raised under the orders of Lieut.. Gen.
Sheridan at later day, and from an application,
by person who claimed to command ono of its
companies to be supplied with arms.
1t may be easily imagined that the informs-
ton OF these extraordinary acts OF the mayor
and Lieut. Gen. Sheridan filled me with sur.
prise, for I was conscious that had put forth
every effort and employed all my official powers
to aid the people of Chicago, and &c preserve the
peace and tranquility of the city. On Monday,
the 9Th day of October. at noon, when under
stood the fire to be still raging. land anticipating
the probable necessity of Official action, that
could best be done at the cspitsi,> had des-
patched Gen. L. B. Harlan, my secretary, lin
whose energy and prudence 1 have the highest
eonfdence) to Chicsgo, with instructions to re-
port to the mayor, and inform him that all the
resources of the state, that were subject to my
Legal control, were at his service for the aid and
protection of the people
Zen. Harlan has informed me that he reached
Chicago on the evening of the same day, at about
~ o'clock, and without delay visited the Office
OF the mayor, who WAS reported to him to have
retired to his home that early on Tuesday, the
l0th, he delivered his message and, acting in
the spirit OF his instruction, at once drew upon
me for $4,000. to be applied to the relief Of the
sufferers, and that he remained IN the city dur.
ing the day to watch the course of events, and
apprlse me OF any occurrence that might require
ny official or personal action
Here follow some dispatches between the Gov.
ernor and Mayor Mason in reference to forward.
ing money, provisions and some military aid,
and then this despatch:
CHICAGO, Oct. 10, 1S71.-To Hon. ]. II. PALM.
ER-Can you send Va, at once one thousand
muskets, with ammunition. r. B. MASON.
The adjutant general left Springfield at Q
o'clock p NJ, and reached Chicago az he reports,
at 4 o'clock OH the morning of Wednesday, the
18th OF October, with about 200 well-armed men
and $50 muskets, and had 1000 additional mus.
kets, with ammunition boxed, to be sent after
him Immediately; and as early as six O'Clock
he called upon the mayor, and, at his reaest,
within few minutes afterward, reported to
Lieut. Gen, Sheridan; and as other troops had.
IN the meantime. arrived, at s O'Clock he had 3l5
men on duty, and by o'clock in the afternoon
ne had 3l6 men, we'll organized, under the com.
nand OF skillfal and prudent officers, and one
battery OF four guns. ready to enforce the laws,
or to suppress disorder; and he could, within a
few hours, have easily increased his force to
1000, ii necessary.
commend the report of the adjutant general
to the attention of the general assembly, and
take occasion to express my thanks to tue Off.
GERS and men who SO promptly reported at Chi.
cago.
More dispatches about relief Then a de.
spatch from Adj. Gen. Dilger to the Gov, say.
ing the rumors about disorder in Chicago were
exaggerated; that Sheridan had 700 U. S. troops
there, and no more military aid was needed.
The Gov. was ''delighted" with this information,
and countermsnded the sending of any more
muskets, and on the 18th of Oct. ordered Dill ger
to send his volunteers home. And the Govern.
or expresses the opinion that at no time after
the fire was military aid needed to preserve the
peace and protect property in Chicago.
Then (Oct ~ the Gov received despatcb
saying the city council and Gen. Sheridan think
his presence in the city would have good effect.
Accordingly the Governor at once repaired to
Chicago, arriving on the 12th, and Immediately
called upon the Mayor:
At my interview with him he assured me that
the city was quiet; and being an xious about the
position as we'll rs the comfort of the troops then
in the city, under my orders, waited upon
Lieut.. Gen. Sheridan, and in his presence re-
ceived the reports of the adjutant general. and
Of Maj. Beardsley, Of Rock Island, in whose
Judgment had great confidence, and he concur.
red with their statement that quiet and order
prevailed throughout the city, and left him
with the expectation that the militia would at
once return TO their homes. and that the regular
troops then in the city would be withdraw when
Under these impressions left Chicago at Q
CLOCK +. n. OF the 18th, to meet the general as.
semsiy. that was expected to assemble ON the
18th, vt noon.
1t is not to be deuieu, tnat If had been Jealous
OF my aSthority, OF eager to find an ocussion fos
there was enough 10 the dispatches
OF Col. iiger and Lieat Gen. Sheridan to arouse
my suspicious but it did not occur to me until
the 18th day of October, whom received the
first distinct knowledge Of the mayors proclams.
ton, and Lieut.. Gen. Sheridan's construction of
his powers that he claimed. a. . military officer
OF the United States army, to command the mill.
tia sent BY me to the city, aud chs authority to
enfosce military police therein. I would not