Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-09-11
HEADQUARTERS.
CONSULTATION ON SOUTHERN
AFFAIRS.
A LETTER FROM GRANT TO
THE SECRETARY OF
WAR.

THE SECRETARY OF
WAR.
HE WILL FLOOD THE SOUTH
ERN STATES WITH U. S.
TROOPS.
CIRCULAR LETTER OF ATTOR-
NEY GENERAL WILLIAMS.
THE YELLOW FEVER ON SHIP
BOARD.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3-Noon-At-
torney GeneralssWilliams returned to
this city from Long Branch to-day,
Secretary Belknap has also returned:
A consultation was held to-day at
the War Department, between the AT
torney General. Belknap and Secretary
Bristow. The conference, it Is under
stood, had reference to the condition
of affairs in the South. Senator
Chandler, who is here, arrived at the
War Department during the consulta-
ton and was in attendance. What
the results of this meeting are cannot
be definitely ascertained at this hour,
but it is minated by excellent au-
thority that immediate official action
of an important character will be
taken.
Senator West is also here and had
an interview with the Secretary OF War
this morning.
1t is reported, though without Off
cial authority, that the Attorney Gen
eral will to-day issue instructions to
the q. S. Marshals in the South to
summon a posse cOmmitatus to assist
in repelling all violations of the public
peace, such as it is alleged have re-
Gently occurred in many portions OF
the South, and that in the event OF
their failure to prevent infractlon OF
the peace that troops will be called on
to preserve order.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3-Night. The
followidg letter was received here to-
| day:
LONG BRANCH, Sept. 3, 1874.
To Gen. ". ". Belhnap, ,Sccrets'3
Of Var:
The recent atrocities in the South,
particularly in Louisiana, Alabama
and South Carolina, show a disregard
for law, civil rights and personal pro.
lection that ought not to be tolerated
in any civilized Government. 1t looks
as if, unless speedily checked, matters
must become worse, until life and
property there will receive no protec,
ton from the local authorities unit
such uthorities become ppwerieas.
Under such circumstances it IS the
duty of the Government tn give all the
aid for the protection OF life and civil
rights authorized by law. 70 this end
[ wish you would consult with the At
torncy General, who is we'll Informed
rs to the outrages already committed
and tie localities where the greatest
danger lies, and so order troops a. to
be available in cases OF necessity. All
proceedings for the protection OF the
South will be under the law depart
lnent of the Government, and will be
directed by the Attorney General, in
accordance with the provisions OF the
Enfo. mert acts. No Instructions
need, therefore, De SiyeA the com
manders ot troops transmitted into
the Southern States except as they
may be transmitted from time to time
on advice from the Attorney General,
or as circumstances may determine
! hereafter. Yours, truly,
L. S. GRANT.
As IL result OF the conference held
at the war department this morning,
between Secretaries BrIstow and Bel
KNAPP and Attorney General Williams
the following circular was issued THIS
afternoon at two o'clock to United
States nlarsnais and attorneys. 1t Las
the approval of the President, the sub
stantIal parts Of the same having been
communicated to him during an inter
view with the Attorney General at
Long Branch:
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, I
WAsHINGToS, SEPT. Bird 1874
Sir: Outrages of various descrip.
tons, and, in some cases, atrocious
murders have been committed in your
district 10y bodies of armed men some
times in disguise, and with the view it
is believed, of overawing ard intimi-
dating peaceable and law-abiding citi-
zeus, and depriving them of the rights
| guaranteed to them by the constitution
and laws of the United States. Your
attention is directed to az act of Con
gress, passed April 9th 1866, entitled
San act to protect all persons in the
United States in their civil rights, and
to furnish means for their vindication'
and to another passed April Goth 1870,
entitled IAN act to enforce the proyis-
ions of the 18th Amendment to the
Constitution of the United States, and
for other purposes" also, to one
passed May 3Oth 1870, entitled "an
act to enforce the right of cit
liens of the United States to vote
in the several States of the Union, and
for other purposes, which, with their
amendments make these deeds of vio-
lence and blood offences within the
Jurisdiction Of the General Govern
1nent. I consider it my duty, in view
OF these circumstances, to instruct you
to proceed with all possible energy
and dispatch to deter, expose, and ar
rest and punish the perpetrators of
these crimes, and to that ED you are
to spare no effort or necessary ex-
pense. Troops of the United States
will be stationed at different and con-
venient points in your district for the
purpose of giving all needful aid in
discharge OF your official duties. You
understand of course that no interfer-
renee whatever is hereby intended
with any political or party action. not
IN violation of law, but protection to
all classes of citizens, white and col
ored, IN the full exercise of the cleo
tive franchise and the enjoyment of
the other rights and privileges to
which they are entitled. under the
Constitution and Laws, as citizens of
the United States.
These instructions are issued by the
authority of the President, and with
the concurrence of the Secretary of
War.
Very respectfully,
GEO. II. WILLIAMS,
Attorney General.
The signal officer il this city is in
receipt of information that the brig
Cutilia, from Havana, came in sight of
the station at Cape Henry, OF Thurs
day afternoon, and reported the loss of
the Captain and several of the crew.
who died from yellow fever; and
nearly all the remainder of the crew
are Frustrated with the same disease.
The signal sergeant telegraphed to
Norfolk for assistance, and the pilot
boat Calvent came out and conveyed