The daily gazette., 1878-04-01

THE POLITICAL MISSION OF GEN. HAN
COCK TO NEW ORLEANS AND ITS RE-
suits.
Special TO the Baltimore Sun.
WARRINGTON, March 3l.-It has been
publicly stated that the visit ST Maj Gen.
Hancock to New Orleans in February
was made by the request OF the President
and was for the purpose of in,ercediDg
with Gov. Nichols in behalf Of Ander-
son. The following in reference to this
matter is obtainet from source believ-
ed TO be possessed Of the facts: After the
verdict of guilty in Anderson's case 1t
was authoritatively given out from the
White House that the President had de-
termined to interfere, and as prelimi-
nary had written letter to the Attor-
ney General requesting him to consult
authorities and suggest the proper me-
ihod of action.
The Attorney General, ,after examination
discovered that the federal government
really could do nothing, and so inform
ed The President. 1t Was at this iuncturc
so 1t is said, that a suggestion was made
TO the President that Gen. Hancock
would be a good man to send to New
Orleans 10 plead Tor Anderson, that he
and Gov. Nichols were classmates at
W est Point and were friends, aud that
the people of New Orleans were very
fond OF him and would listen to his
counsel. A messenger was accordingly
sent to Gen. Hancock's headquarter, in
New York 10 sound him on the subject.
1t is represented that Gen. Hancock Was
very averse to having anything to with
the matter, and that he nnally consented
solely as matter OF personal considera-
ton fol the wishes Of the President with
whom he had at one time been associa-
ted in army service.
He went TO New Orleans and remain
cd there about Two weeks, during which
time he was the recipient Of the most
profuse social attentions, alt hough, prob
ably out Of Difference TO his own wishes
very little public notice was taken OF his
presence H. 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 reverse the action of the lower
court. This information was promptly
communicated to the authorities here.
His mission ended, Gen. Hancock re.
turned 10 New York. 1t is proper tc
, state that while the above is thought to
; be substantially correct,it is notturnished
BY either of the principals in the affair.
IL is alleged that since his return Gen
Hancock is more convinced than bef-r {
that his scruples against undertaking q
po itical mission of such character were
/ well 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 acl,
even in this era ofmaking preced ents, fol
the head OF the government at Washing
ton to send special envoy TO the treat
with the authorities OF a State in refer.
ehce 10 the administration of criminal
| justice in that State
+ it is proper for the President to do
, II IN one instance, why not in another :
Ii he can with propriety send an agen,
lhto Louisiana TO ask the Governor tC
pardon Anderson. a convicted criminal
What Is there to prevent his sending ar
I, agent TO the Governor of New York will
4 a request TO pardon Tweed, a convicted
r criminal? Nothing whatever except th,
I lack oil personal interest. And if this cal
be done in the case Of criminals, VIII,
not In other cases, and all cases wher,
the executive was interested for himsel
: or Tor his friends and retaiaers. 1t is DOS
4 slble that the whole matter of perotia
: lions between Washington and New Or
leans with reference TO the Anderso,
case may yet be deemed a proper sub
Ject for congressional inquiry.