The New York herald., 1877-03-22

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q short period of rest. The ground selected
was admirably adapted for this purpose
being sheltered valley between two ranges
of hills. with broad meadow covering its
area and several good springs Near one Of
the latter the emigrants encamped and cor
rallied their wagons in the usual manner
when halting on journey over the Plains.
Hero they were suddenly attacked by a
party of Indians employed for the purpose
by the Mormon leaders. The defence of the
camp lasted week, and was successful in
repelling the assaults of the enemy. Toward
the close, however, q force of Mormon troops,
under the command of John d. Lee-al
though he claims that leader was Highly
appeared on the scene, ind negotiations
were opened for the protection of the emf
grants. The conditions were that the men
should surrender their arms and place
themselves, their wives, children and
property under the protection of Lee
and his Nauvoo Legion. After sat-
isfying the doubts of some of the
more suspicious among the emigrants,
and their surrender to Lee, tho latter separ-
ated the men from the women and the chill
dren from their parents, and murdered them
all, with the exception of seventeen little
children who were deemed too young to re-
member the horrible incidents of the butch
cry. The story of this awful deed, happi-
ly unparalleled in treachery and atrocity
in the history of this country as the work
of white men, is detailed in John ID. Lees
confession. which we publish to-day.
Rejection OF the Governors Nomin ees.
The Senate has refused to confirm any Of
the nominations recently sent in by Gov
ernor Robinson, with the exception Of the
Trustees of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat
on Staten Island. The rejected names are
those of DR.. Austin Flint for Health Officer
of New York Allen c. Beach for Bank Su-
perintendent Charles S. Beardslee for Cap
tain of the Port of New York; William W.
Gordon for Port Warden. to fill n vacancy,
and General George B. Mcclellan for Super
intendent of Public Works. The adverse
report of the committee in the case Of Gen.
eral Mcclellan was, however, laid over until
to-day for the final action of the Senate.
If any or all of these nominees are unfit
for the positions to which the Governor de-
sires to assign them the republican majority
is justified in rejecting them. But if the
action of the Senate is induced by partisan
considerations alone, or by a desire to force
the Governor into division Of the Offices,
it will be generally condemned. The Bank
Department is known to be inefliciently
managed, nnd the present Superintendent,
whose term has long since expired, cannot
too soon be replaced. The Office of Super
intendent of Public Works, created by the
constitutional amendment, must be filled
before the system of reform SO heartily
indorsed by the people of the State
can be inaugurated. There should
at least be no factious opposition
to the filling Of these two offices,
provided capable and honest nominees are
selected by the Governor. For the rejection
Of Mr.. Beach no reasons appear to have been
given, and we do not regard those assigned
for the rejection of General Mcclellan as
sufficient. They are that he is not o resi-
dent of the State, and that the duties OF the
Office are not such as to require his peculiar
talents. The first of these objections is toe
trifing to be worth considering. The Sec
ond is unsound. General Mcclellan is an
accomplished engineer, IN excellent organ
izer, thoroughly conversant with the bust
ness of transportation and unquestionably
honest. Whatever motives may have inlu-
enced the Senate in his rejection it is quite
certain that the majority of that body will
not succeed in forcing Governor Robinson
into any political trade for the Offices or into
any compromise that will be detrimental tc
the interests Of the State.