The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-08


Washington, April 5.-The state de-
partment today made public the corre-
spondence that has taken place be-
tween the United ST. tes government
and the governor of louisiana respect
ing the latter's statement touching the
shipment Of live stock and supplies for
the British army in South Africa from
Chalmette, Louisiana. There are three
principal letters and 4 number Of ap-
pendices. The principal letters are one
from the governor OF Louisiana, dated
March 29th. touching the conditions at
Chalmette; reply from Secretary Hay,
dated April 4th, announcing that he
had ordered an Investigation (Which
will be made by an army officer); and
long opinion from the attorney gen.
eral on the legal points involved in the
Chalr1ette shipments.
Governor Heard begins with the
statement that he has received from
the mayor of New Orleans a copy of a
letter from Secretary Hay calling his
attention to a threat of Samuel Pear
son "to commit breach of the peace
in New Orleans" and referring that
letter to the mayor for considera-
tion.. Mr.. Pearson's letter is one
heretofore published, dated at New
Orleans, February 1st, and ad-
dressed to the president, calling atten-
ton to the condition OF affairs at New
Orleans and Chalmette
The mayor transmitted this corre-
spondence to the governor Of the state
| on the grounds that the acts complain
ed Of were committed in the parish of
st. Bernard out of the jurisdiction of
the city authorities. The governor i'm
mediately wrote to Sheriff Nunez, of
that parish, in regard to the matter.
] The sheriff's reply, part of the gov
| ernor's letter, is dated st. Bernard, La,
| February 2Sth. He reports concisely that
mules and horses were being loaded at
| Chalmette for the British government,
| either directly or indirectly, but the
| loading was done by longshoremen of
| the city of New Orleans, supervised by
| Englishmen, who might or might not
1 De ol llle bIlllSIl SSI -
| tainly there was no one there in uni
form. In conclusion the sheriff says:
| There is no such thing as a British
| post with men and soldiers established
| at Port Chalmette. So far as the re-
| cruiting of men is concerned, I am sure
| l can certify that it IS not being done
in the parish of st. Bernard. The only
Il
cites who are employed in the city OF
| New Orleans. I have always endeav-
ored to enforce obedience to the laws OF
this state, as we'll as to the laws of the
United States, and, therefore, should
you inform me the shipments are con
trary to the law. I Will certainly pre-
vent any further violation Of said law.
Governor Heard says it is conceded
by the British officers themselves tha
the animals were for the British army
in South Africa. He says:
/ '"The burghers of South Africa ar
1 making a fight for their homes an'
their liberties, which cannot but appeal
at least. to the sense OF fair play of tn
| American people. AS the executive o
the commonwealth OF louisiana. who's
people have always been ardent lover
OF these boons. I cannot but feel tina
the establishment and maintenance o
a base OF war supplies for the Britis
army upon her soil. Dlace upon me
grave responsibility. These mules an
horses shipped from Fort Chalmette
it is claimed. are Indispensable to tn
operations of the British army. Hence
they must be considered contraband c
war, of greater value than arms CT sol
diers. that England can so easily fur
nish from within her borders"
The governor holds that 1t Is tn
4 function of the national government an
not of the state. to enforce obedienc
to the neutrality laws: yet If such dut
belongs to the state where the viola
r ton occurs. he would not hesitate
act as the law may warrant and ask
the secretary OF state for his views
i The governor reports the arrival i
e New Orleans Of General Sir Richar
: Campbell Stuart, an aide of the Britis
army, on a tour of inspection of tn
transport service in the vicinity OF Ne'
: Orleans. He also encloses number @
! newspaper clippings and statement
: from individuals as to the oper
| ations OF the British remount service.
} transcript Of the proceedings in cour
and a number OF letters from individ
uals protesting against the continuatio
, of the animal shipments The most i'm
portant of these probably Is an affidav
of one Tourrer. setting forth his en-
gagement for service on the transpor