The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-10-18
NEW ORLEANS BULLETIN
NEW ORLEANS, OCTOBER IS, 1874.
THE LOUISIANA DIFFICULTY.

Similarity Between the San Francisco Vigilan,
Committee Instruction and the New Orieal
Coup dEtat-The Application of the Govern,
of California for Federal Aid Refused-Ge
Shermans Course During the Pacific Difficulty
Policy Of Pierce and Grant Contrasted.
During the Vigilance Committee outbrea
in San Francisco in 1856, Gov. johnson, G
California applied to President Pierce for ali
to suppress the instruction. He representa-
that tho legal authorities of the State wer
defed in more lachrymose terms than kel
logg that an armed force of about six thou
sand men had taken possession of the city
that they had shot and hung contrary to law
several men charged with crime, and hat
forcibly deported many others to foreign
countries that they had attacked the armories
occupied by the militia, who we're compelled
to surrender with their arms to overwhelming
numbers, and had also attacked q vessel con.
veying 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 proclamation declaring that an nsur-
rection existed in San Francisco, and called
upon the militia to assemble and place them
selves under orders OF
GEN. WILLIAM T. SHERMAN,
then commander of the First Division of Cali
fornia Militia and now General OF the United
States army. At the time in question the
qu ,ta Of arms to which California was entitled
from the War Department had not been, it
was understood delivered, and Gov johnson
asked the President that directions might be
given for their issuance Gen. Wool, who
commanded the Pacific division, had promised
he (the Governor) stated, at first to furnish
the weapons to Gen. Sherman, but afterwards
declined to do so. Affairs were in critical
condition, and there were good reasons for be-
1ieving that the instruction would spread to
other parts of the State; and there were, also,
fears entertained that scheme was on foot to
push matters to a far greater extent by making
an effort to
ESTABLISH PACIFIC REPUBLIC.
Two special commissioners were sent to
Washington to present this letter. COMMUNE
cation between California and the Eastern
States was not frequent or rapid in 1856
Steamers left only every fortnight, and it took
fully two months to send letter to Washing
ton and receive a reply. In the meantime
Gen. Wood declined to render assistance to
the local authorities in any way, and denied
that he had promised to supply Gen. Sherman
with arms, though the latter averred that such
q promise had been made. Meanwhile the
Vigilance Committee grew holder. They de-
fed the courts AMI refused to obey their man
dates. They continued to make arrests and
fortified themselves in the heart OF the CITY.
Cannon were 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 O serious revolt being in exist
ence and that the Executive power was not
only disregarded but reviled and threatened |
General Sherman could do nothing
for all the State arms had been carried off by |
the committee, and Gen. Wool could not |
raise hand. Ho 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 what they had reason
TO believe good grounds, that the committee
had 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 Ma
" Department had ordered man-of-war to
Dc kept in the harbor and to watch the action
If the insurgents The vessel selected for
his purpose was the corvette John Adams.
Commander Boutwell,. As matters proceeded
his officer brought his ship to the foot of the
treet on which the committee had estab-
ished their headquarters. He anchored
within half mile of the position, and an
lounced that if any further executions were
eVOiipeCu Ao WOulu |
OPEN FIRE ON THE REBEL FORTRESS,
hot-headed section of the committee pro-
'osed capturing the John Adams by boarding.
mt the leaders were not prepared for this eX-
RENE course. However, no more men were
Jung, and several other armed vessels having
mt in an appearance, there was a calming
own OF excitement, and the adherents Of !
NV and order began to recover courage. The I
nswer to the Governors request for arms at
'ngth arrived Secretary Marcy, speaking 1
u the President, declined to grant it. The '
lbject had received careful consideration, and l
I'D been referred to Attorney General Cush. .
,g. That officer. in his opinion, referred to i
he views of Chief Justice fancy in the i
hode Island rebellion case; and as the Cali v
'rnia outbreak had many features in COM c
ION with the recent revolt in Louisiana, some 7
Mr.. Cushing's views are here given: It was 8
1t alleged, he said in Gov Johnson's letter.
mt the Legislature could not be convened. I,
I'd SO far the matter failed to come within q
institutional provision. il
The Governor only applied for arms and not u
r the aid OF the militia. There was an OBJ IA
ruction of the laws, but no shock of arms rt
tween the insurgents and the State, and the ~
erclse OF the Presidents unqueStioned power !,
doubtful cases ought to be reserved except in
the most exigent emergency. A month, he &,
i'd, had passed without any steps being pr
zen to call the Legislature together, which az
ould be viewed as evidence that the State ID
thorities had not fulfilled what the law re- IN
ired Had that been done, and demand W. ",
'de by that body for succor to suppress the re- re-
urrection, the whole constitutional power or
the President could then be properly tn
ought into operation if the State forces m
wed unable to cope with the Insurgents. sll
ORDER WAS AFTER RESTORED. sit
sut it is only correct to remember that it ow
J more through the decided course of Com Gu
nder Boutwell, (who acted according to his ma ma
n notions of the situation) than any other d do
this result was attained. Admiral Far th,
ut was in command at Mare Island Navy thu
ID, but he took very little part in the pro- de-
dings. A comparison, however, with the the
lisiana difficulty will not be out of place, tina
ere was fear of the secession of California en- en-
the establishment of Pacific Republic tnr r
500. None are SO wild as to dream of as
sssion IN Louisiana to-day. 1t would have the
u Idle to attempt to convene the ap;cl, | the