The Portland daily press., 1877-01-18

asmuch, however, as l learn that 1t was the
Presidents wish that the present status should
be maintained until the Congress sional COM
mittees now in Louisiana return, and feeling
assured that that the legal status of the exist
ing state government will speedily be recog-
nized, and that the wrongs committed ini the
last eight days will be set right, will give the
pledge requested, that no effort shall be made
on the part of the lawful state government to
forcIbly disturb the existing state of affairs
without further communication with you
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. II The following is
Gen. Augur's reply to Gov. Packard's letter of
last night:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE DEPT. J
OF THE GULF,
NeW Orleans, Jan. II.
Hon. S. B. Packard, State House,
Dear Sir-Your letter dated the 10th inst.
which you had published:n the newspapers and
telegraphed north, before it was possible for
me to see it, is received. Though addressed to
me, understand very well that it is not partic-
ularly intended for me, and but for some errors
affecting me personally, should not think it
necessary to make any reply. You state that
orders mad been issued early on this day (the
9th), by the Hon Secretary of War; directing
that unauthorized armed bodies should be re-
CURED to desist, &c. l considered this order of
tue Secretary of War as virtually commanding
a maintenance of the status quo. Cor sequently
the state forces 10 charge of different positions
outside or the capitol, were directed to make
such resistance as would compel a manitesta-
ton OF force and breach of the peace on the
part OF their opponents. 1t was my under
standing that neither side should be permitted
to interfere with the status of the other side -
In reply to this | would state that the time
OF day at which this order was issued, is imma-
terial. IL was not received here until some
time after the surrender without resistance of
the Supreme Court room, the arsenal and all
OF the police stations, and it is quite a new
thing 20 me to hear that you ever considered
that order as commanding a maintenance of
the status quo. Yourself and the officers in
command Immediately under you, have re-
prated'y stated that it was your intention to
seize any favorable opportunity to recover the
court room, and you have repeatedly sent your
sheriff 10 demand that room, and have twice
since mai time made written applications to me
for troops to assist in such recovery
This does look as though it was YOUR upder-
standing that neither side should be permitted
to Interfere with the status of the other side
1t was the fact of these threats to recover lost
ground whenever a favorable opportunity pre-
seDted itself that has furnished an excuse for
the NICHOLS party to KEEP force in readiness
to resist them, and it was in view of this very
copdit,on of affairs that yesterday morning I
directed TWO of my staff, one to see you and
one to see Gen. Nichols to inquire, not request,
II some agreement or understanding ouid not
be entered into bywhlch the status quo could be
guaranteed until such time as the President
should make his decision. Such an arrange
ment would 90 away with the supposed necesSi-
ty of keeping up BODY of armed men on eth
er side, and diminish very greatly the chances
for violence and bloodshed l made no request
in the matter l had no right to make any re-
quest; it was simply suggestion in the inter.
est, as thought, of peace and to give moments
of quiet to the citizens of this excited city.
Neither Gen. Nichols nor yourself thought it
advisable to adopt it and there it ended
An error was made too in the form of a mem
orandum left you by MAJOR Russell last night,
though of no particular moment still prefer
to be reported correctly. In directing the staff
officer last night to deliver to you and General
Nichols each a copy of the despatch of the
10th, from the Secretary of War, he was told to
say to each that hope they will give assurances
that the Presidents wishes shall be respected.
l made no request for such assurances.
Very resp'y your ob't setv'l,
(Signed,) q. G. AUGUR,
Brigadier General Commanding.
New YORK, Jan. 1.-THE World says that
the Cabinet yesterday was generally of the
opinion that the Packard government had done
nothing requiring the federal government to
render decision The theory of the Constltu-
ton is that the state government must show
itself unable to resist the antagonstc power,
before the general government steps in; that if
the rights of the state are not worth defending,
they are not worth enjoying.