New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-13

/ rested for issuing false aud forged cortlfl
Gates. He was committed to Jail, and re
signed. Again the vacancy was filed BY
| appointment by Governor Amea contrary t.
of the office. An investigation Of Dorsey
frauds discovered CardOza guilty of similar
Offenees.
George w. Davenport (negrO) was elected
chancery clerk, and was sole custodian Ot
the county seal and public records. 1t
being discovered that large amount OF
forged warrants were in circulation, Daven
port was repeatedly called upon to make a
report to the board of supervisors, and per.
sistently failed to do so. He refused the
committee Of taxpaye ers permission to ex-
anime the records, and it may be added
here that after his flight it was discovered
he had NO bond whatever ON record. At
the October term of the Circuit Court Dor
soy, Davenport and Cardoza were indicted
by the grand jury. composed Of ten blacks
and seven whites.
During the inquiry into the offensea, the
books OF the county treasurer. and other
valuable records bearing evidence of the
guilt of the parties, were stolen. The other
records used in the investigation were put in
charge Of Sheriff Crosby, and were also
stolen. The sheriff is also tax collector,
and required to give bond in $1,000. He
gave worthless bond, and when its worth
lessness wss brought to light several sureties
withdrew, thus making the instrument
illegal. The supervisors attorney (Repub-
lican) declared the bond illegal, but the
board refused to order tho sheriff to give
new one.
1t was generally understood that the
board acted under the influence Of the
sheriff, and indicted officials vino were
interested in keeping him in Office.
In November the sherif published card
calling on the taxpayers to pay up, and
saying he would hold the sheritFs Office
until ousted by the Supreme Court In
this condition of affairs, viz: That taxes
amounting to five per cent Of values were
due; that the sheriff to whom the taxes
that the board of supervisors, though i'm.
portuned to do 90, had failed to take
measures required by law for the protection
of the people; that valuable public
records and papers necessary as evil
dence to convict CardOza, Davenport and
Dorsey on the Indictments found against
them had been stolen from the courthouse.
Of which the sheriff is, by law, the keeper;
that Sheriff Crosby was known to be al
and besides being charged with the inn
portant duty Of summOning the juries by
whom they should be tried, was the custO-
dian of records furnishing evidence of their
guilt, and had failed to protect the same
from larceny and spolisti0n. and that, to
all appearances, these officials seemed
banded together for mutual protection, and
in strength of numbers and mutual cOun-
tenance, were defying the laws of the State.
and prostituting their offices to their pri.
vate ends.
In this condition OF affairs, the taxpayers
held meeting and, as already known. de-
manded the resignation OF those officials.
Crosby resigned, and the others fled.
Crosby then went to jackson to consult
Governor Ames. Ames issued prOclama-
tion commanding the taxpayers to disperse.
COntemporaneOusly with Ames' prOclama-
tion, . card signed "Peter Crosby was cir
culated among the colored people, den0un-
cling the whites as rutiians and barbarians
and calling on friends to come to the aid of
the sheriff and support him. On the same
day Ames' Adjutant General and an aid
arrived in Vicksburg, and about the same
time Hall, captain of q negro company of
militia, received orders to hold himself in
readiness for orders, which orders were
sent direct to Hall and not through supe-
rior officers.
On Sunday, the taxpayers, contemplating
no violent measures themselves, and ignO-
rant of any contemplated by Crosby and
his confederates, presented to Chancellor
I'LL (tkcYuUAlCuu/ Olh VI uuCVlUu aga 0lU0t
Crosby's acting as chief sheriff until he
should give bond. Tho chancellor prepared
The order Sunday night granting the ipjunc-
ti0n, which would have been served Mon
day morning. While the consultation was
being had with Hill, A. j. Packer, Ames'
adjutant general, and Crosby came in
together, and Crosby was informed it was
rumored the negroes of the county would
attempt to invade the city upon
La ALI Il~ rJr:.,
any knowledge ON the subject, but !
,aid he had the power to disperse
them, though he saw no objection to their |
coming if they desired. Upon this he was
besought by Chancellor Hill and |
,itizens present to send out orders to them |
hat night to return to their homes, since it |
hey made such an attempt much blood |
would be shed. Crosby promised to do 80.
Nevertheless, early on Monday morning I
he negroes marched on the city from sew
,ral roads. The citizens, partly warned the |
light before, armed and went to the defense
II the city. They came in conflict with
hree separate bodies OF armed negroes,
from two to four hundred each,
N three separate roads, and defeated
md repulsed each body. 1t is estimated
hat from fifty to 100 negroes we're killed
md wounded, and about thirty were cap
ured, all of whom except four Of the lead
rs have been released and permitted TO go
OIue.
The statement goes on TO say that the
risOners assert they came to the city under
rGars from Crosby, who gave Ames as his I
uthority for calling them out. The address
upon this record the people of Warren
ounty are willing to receive the Judgment |
the country. They feel their fair minded
everywhere must inevitably
Onclude that tor several years past our
ounty government has been in the hands of
.norant and corrupt officials, who, with
ne or two exceptions, have plundered the
ghts of the people at defiance; that these
fhcials of late have been 80 banded
,ge.her as to efectualIy deprive the people
the remedies provided by law for their
and secure for themselves COM
arative immunity from punishment for
,eir crimes; that in their crusade against
,e rights of the people these officials have
,ceived the c0untenance and suppOrt Of
le Governor and others of high authority
nor has himself twice invaded their
ghts, in open violation of the
tate laws and constitution by as
inning to fill by executive appointment
1 Office made elective by the people; that
| these officials have been Republicans,
i'd nearly all of them Of the colored race, [
I'd that not one has ever been molested in |
10 Office by reason Of his politics or his
'lor; that our people had endured these
ills in spirit of forbearance until forbear,
ice ceased to be virtue, and they were
lpelled to resistance by the instinct of
II fpreservatiou; that they assem-
ed peaceably, and a. the surest means {
attaining security, demanded of these
ithless stewards that they resign the
ust confided to them; that failing in this
ey res0rted to the remedy by an iniunc-