The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-04-11
HAYES LOUISIANA EMBASSY.
The Political Mission OF General Hancock
to New Orleans and Its Result.
IYAsH1N.iroN. March 13.

WASHINGTON, March 13.
1t has beer publicly stated that the
visit of Major General Hancock to New
Orleans in February was made by the
request of tic President, and was for the
purpose of intercedirg with Governor
Nichols in behalf of Anderson. The
following in reference to this matter is
obtained from u source believed to be
possessed of the facts: After the verdict
of guilty in Anderson's case it was au-
thoritatively given out from the White
House that the President had determined
to Interfere, and az q preliminary had
written letter to tho Attorney General
requesting him 10 consult authorities and
suggest the proper method Of action.
The Attorney General, after examina-
ton, discovered that the Federal govern
ment really could do nothing, and so
informed the President. 1t was at this
juncture, so it is said, that a suggestion
was made to the President that General
Hancock woultl be good man to send
to New Orleans to plead for Anderson,
that he and Governor Nichols we're class
mates at West Point and were friends,
and that the people of New Orleans were
very fond of him and would listen to his
counsel. A messenger was accordingly
sent to General Hancock's headquarters
in New York 10 sound him on the sub.
ject. 1t is represented that General
Hancock was very ayerse to having any
thing to do vita the matter, and that he
finally consented solely as q matter Of
personal consideration for the wishes of
the President, with whom he had at one
time been associated in army service.
He went to New Orleans and remained
there about two weeks, during which
time he was the recipient OF the most
profuse social attention, although, proba.
bly out of Difference to his own wishes,
very little public notice was taken Of his
presence in the city. He had several
lengthy interviews with GOV. Nichols,
and it is said finally obtained from him
an assurance that he would pardon An
derson if the Supreme Court of the State
did not rerelge the action of the lower
court. This information was promptly
communicated to the authorities here.
His mission ended, Gen. Hancock re-
turned to New York. 1t is proper to
state that while the above is thought to
be substantially correct, it is not furn-
ished by either of the principals in the
affair.
1t is alleged that since his return Gen.
Hancock is more convinced than before
that his scruples against undertaking a
political mission Of such character were
we'll founded, but holds that under the
circumstances he could do no less than
accede to the request made of him. II
is undoubtedly an unprecedented act
even in this era of making precedents
for the head OF the government at Wash.
ington to send special envoy to trea'
with the authorities of State in refer
ence to the administration of crimina
ljustice in that State.
If it is proper for the President to d.
it in one instance, why not in another
| If he can with propriety send an agen
into Louisiana to ask the Governor u
pardon Anderson, convicted criminal
what is there to prevent his sending al
agent to the Governor of New York Hitl
request to pardon Tweed, convicte,
criminal! Nothing whatever, except tn
lack of personal interest. And if thi
can be done iu the case of criminals, VIII
not in other and all cases where the E4
ecutive is interested for himself or for hi
friends and retainers2 1t possible tha
the whole matter of negotiations betwee
| Washington sad New Orleans with re-
erence to the Anderson case may yet b
deemed a proper subject for Congression'
inquiry.