The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-01-25
THE DISPUTED STATES.
LOUISIANA.

Mr.. Pinchback, on the 18th, formally
abandoned the Packard Government, and,
accompanied by Senators Demus (colored),
Wheeler and Hamlet, visited the Demo-
cratic Senate, where their entrance was
greeted with cheers. Messrs. Demus and
Wheeler were sworn in and took their
seats, but Hamlet's election being
coHtested, his seat was already filled.
Mr.. Pinchback made short speech, stat
ing that they had come there as Republic
cans, because they believed the interests oil
the State to be above party. He said that
the Republican party in the State was hope
Iessly corrupt, and charged that ex-GoV.
Kellogg had secured his election as Senator
by corrupt means.
The following dispatch from President
Grant was received by Gen. Augur at a
late hour on the night of the 14th, aud i'm
mediately communicated by him to Messrs.
Packard and Nichols:
WASHINGTON, D. c. Jan. IA TO Gen. c. c.
Augur, New Orleans, La 1t has been the pol
icy of the Administration to take no part in the
settlement of the question of rightful government
of the State of Louisiana, at least not until the
Congressional committees now there have made
their report. But it ls not proper to sit quietly
by ana see the Oldtc GONtTHtuSht bAauuaIAF
taken possession OF by one of the claimants for
gubernatorial hOnOrs by illegal means. The
Supreme Court set up by Mr.. Nichols can re-
ceive no more recognition than any other num-
Der of lawyers convened on the call of any other
citizen of the State. Returning Board, ex-
lsting in accordance with law, and having
judicial as well as ministerial pow
ers over the count of votes
of the late election, have given certificates OF
election to the Legislature of the state Legal
quorum OF each house holding such certlncates
should there be a necessity for the recognition
of either, it must be Packard. You may FUR
nish a copy of this to Packard and Nlcholls.
(signedj U. S. GRANT, President.
At an early hour on the morning of the
10Th, proclamation was published, signed
by Packard as Governor, commanding al
"organized and armed combinations against
the lawful authorities of the State' to dis
perse, etc., under the pains and penalties o.
the law. A demand was subsequently made
for the evacuation of the Court house, il
possession Of Nicholls's militia, and for the
release of the Sergeants- Arms Of the Re
publican Legislature, who were captured oil
the previous night while endeavoring TO ar
rest the three Senator'S at Pinchback IS house
No attention was paid to either demand
further than a call upon Sheriff Handy by
the Nichols court for sufficient force II
guard the rt-house. Packard then made
an official requisition upon Gen. Augur TO
assistance to re-instate the Supreme Cour
in the building from which they had beeI
dispossessed, and Gen. Augur referred
the matter to the authorities at Washington
for instructions. A number Of bankers tel
egraphed President Grant that the Nichols
Senate had quorum Of members abou
whose membership there was no contest
and Nichols telegraphed to Representative
| Gibson that no attempt would be made II
recount the Electoral vote Of the State.
! The following additional instruction
| from Washington were received by Gen
Augur, on the 10th, in reply to his inquir,
based upon the application Of Gov. Packard
| for assistance to reiastate the Suprem
Court in the building from which they hat
been dispossessed.
| WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-GEN. C.. c.. AUGUR
General commanding, New Orleans: Your un
derstanding of the Presidents telegram OF th'
| I4th inst is entirely correct. The PTesiden
/ desires me TO repeat to you that he wishes thu
/ present status throughout the state maintained
| until the Congressional committees now In Lou
| isiana return.
| ISigncdI J. D. CAMERON,
| Secretary of War