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

Vigilance Committee lnSurrOcttOn 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 Contracted.
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
forcibly deported many others to foreign
countries; that they had attacked the
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 further represented that
he had issued a proclamation declaring that an
insurrectlon existed in San Francisco and called
upon the militia to assemble and place themselves
under orders Of
GENNERAL 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-
tions might be given Tor their issuance. General
Wool who commanded the Pacific division, had
promised he (the Governor) stated, at first to fur
nsh the weapons to General Sherman, out after.
ward declined to do So Affairs were in .
critical condition, and there were good reasons
for believing that the insurrection would spread
to other parts OF the State; and there were, also
fears entertained that q scheme was on foot to
push matters to far greater extent by making an
effort 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 or rapid In 1885, 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 o promise had been made Meanwhile the
Vigilance Committee grew bolder They deHed the
courts and refused to obey their mandates. They
continued to make arrests and fortified themselves
in the heart or the city. Cannon we're placed
at the street corners and squads OF armed men
were continually passing from one point to
another. There could be no doubt as to serious
revolt being In existence, and that the Executive
power was not only dsregarded but reviled 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 protection In
the discharge Of their duties, they having stated,
on wnat they mad reason 70 believe good grounds,
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 a man-otwar
to be Kept the harbor 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 os-
tablisned 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.
hotheaded section OF the committee proposed
capturing the John Adams by boarding, but the
course. However no more men were hung, aud
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
to recover courage. The answer TO the Governors
or s az sns ne y
grant IL. The subject had received careful consd-
GRAFTON ana had been referred to Attorney General
Cushing. That officer, In his opinion, re erred TO
tine views OF Chlef Justice Taney In the Rhode
! Island rebellion case ana as the California out
break had many features In common with the re-
cent revolt in Louisiana, some OF Mr.. Cushing's
views are here given:-It was not alleged, he said
! In Governor Johnson's letter, that the Legislature
4 could not be convened, and so Tar the matter
failed TO come within the constitutional provision.
The Governor only applied for arms and not lor
the aid OF the militia. There was an obstruction
or 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 exigent
emergency. MONTH he said, bad passed without
any steps being taken to call the Legislature to-
gether. which should be vie wed ~ audience that