The New York herald., 1874-10-11
THE LOUISIANA DIFFICULTY.

similarity Between the San Francisco
Vigilance Committee Insurrection and
the New Orleans Coup d'Etat-The
Application Of the Governor OF Cali
fornia for Federal Aid Refused
General Sherman's Course During the
Pacific Dimculty-Policy OF Pierce and
Grant COntrAstetl.
During the vigilance Committee outbreak In San
Francisco in 1856 Governor Johnson, OF California
applied to President Pierce for aid to suppress the
insurrection. He represented that the legal au-
thorties OF the State were defed In more lachry-
NOSE terms tnan Kellogg; that an armed force OF
about six thousand men had taken possession OF
the city; that they had shot and hung contrary
to law, several men charged with crime, and had
forcibiy deported many others to foreign
countries; that they had attacked tho
armories occupied by the militia, who
were compelled to surrender with their
arms to overwhelming numbers, and had
also attacked vessel conveying arms from the
United States ordnance stores at Benicia; seized
their cargoes and made prisoners OF the men in
charge. The Governor iurther represented that
he had issued proclamation declaring that an
insurrectlon existed in San Francisco and called
upon the militia to assemble and place themselves
under orders OF
GENERAL WILLIAM T. SIBERIAN,
then commander Of the First Division OF California
Militia and now General OF the United States army.
At the time in question the quota OF arms to which
California was entitled from the War Department
had not been 1t was understood, delivered and
Governor Johnson asked the President that direc-
tons might be given Tor their issuance General
Wool, who commanded the Pacific division, had
promised. he 1.-THE Governor) stated at first to fur
ntsh the weapons to General Sherman, out after.
ward declined to do so. Affairs were In .
for believing that the insurrection would spread
to other parts OF the State and there were, also,
fears entertained that o scheme was on foot to
push matters to . far greater extent by making an
enort to
ESTABLISH PACIFIC REPUBLIC.
Two special commissioners were sent to Washing
ton TO present this letter. Communication be-
tween California and the Eastern States was not
frequent rapid In 1856. Steamers left only every
fortnight. and 1t took fully two months to send
letter to Washington and receive reply. In the
meantime General Wool declined to render assist
ance to the local authorities IN any way, and de-
MED that he had promised to supply General Sher
man with arms, though the latter averred that
such promise had been made. Meanwhile the
Vigilance Committee grew boder. They dehed the
courts and refused to obey their mandates. They
continued TO make arrests and fortified themselves
in the heart OF the city. Cannon we're placed
b
were continually passing from one point to
another There could be no doubt as to q serious
revolt being In existence, and that the Executive
power was not only dsregarded but revted and
threatened. General Sherman could DO nothing
for all the state arms had been carried on by the
committee, and General Wool would not raise .
hand. He refused the application OF the United
States Marshal and the Judges OF the United
states Circuit and District Courts projection in
ne
on wnat they had reason TO believe good grounds,
that the committee mad threatened to rescue and
prevent the trial OF men charged with piracy. The
Vigilance Committee had everything their own
way, with one very important drawback. The
Navy Department mad ordered q man-otwar
to be kept the haroor and to watch the
action OF the insurgents. the vessel Sc
John Adams Commander Boutwell,. As matters
proceeded this offIcer brought his ship to the
foot OF the street on whcn the committee had es-
tabiisned their headquarters He anchored within
half mile OF the position, and announced that II
any further executions were attempted he would
OPEN PIRE ON THE REBEL FORTRESS.
A hot-beaded section OF the committee proposed
capturing the John Adams by boarding, but the
leaders were not prepared FOR this extreme
course. However no more men we're hung, and
several other armed vessels having put in an ap-
pearance, there was calming down OF excite
ment and the adherents OF law and order began
| 10 recover courage. The answer TO the Governors
Marcy, speaking for the President, declined 70
! grant IT, The subject had received careful consid-
cnsaina. T That oicer, In his opinion. re,erred 70
i the views oil Chief Justice Taney in the Rhode
l island rebellion case; and as the California out
break had many features In common with the re-
1 cent revolt In Louisiana, some Of Mr.. Cushing's
views are here gIven:-tt was not alleged, he satd
in Governor Johnson's letter, that the Legislature
could not be convened, and so lar the matter
failed come within the constitutional provision.
The Governor only applied for arms and not for
| the aid ol the militia. There was an obstruction
| OF the laws but no shock OF arms between the In
surgents and the State. and the exercise OF the
| Presidents unquestioned power in doubtful cases
ought to be reserved except In the most exfgent
emergency. MONTH he said, had passed without
any steps being taken to cal the Legislature to-
gether. which should be viewed as svidence that