Year: 1862

ditional surrender of the city, coupled
with requisition to hoist up the FLAG
of the United States on the public
ediiices, and to haul down that which
still floats to the breeze from the dome
OF this hall; and it becomes my duty
to- transmit to you the answer which
the universal sentiments of my constitu-
ency no less than the prompting of my
own heart dictate to me on this sad
and solemn occasion.


The city is without means of defense.
and utterly destitute of the force mat
erial that might enable it to resist the
overpowering armament displayed in
sight of it.


am no military man, and possess
no authority beyond that of executing
the municipal laws of the city of New
Orleans.


1t would be Prescriptions in Inc to
attempt to lead an army to the field,
if had one at my command, and
know still less how TO surrender an
undefended place, held as this is at
the mercy of your gunners, and mouth
OF your mortars.


To surrender such a place were an
idle and unmeaning ceremony The
city is yours by the power of brutal
force, and not by any choice or. con-
sent of it's inhabitants. 1t is for Won
to dertermine what shall be the fate
that awaits her.


As to the hosting of any flag than
the flag of our own adoption and al
leglance, let me say to you, sir, that
the man lives not in our midst whose
hand and heart would not be palsied
at the mere thought of such an act
nor could ! find in tlle constituency SO
wretched and desperate renegade as
would dare to protane with his hand
the sacred emblem of our aspirations.


Sir you have manifested sentiments
which would become one engaged in a
better cause than that to which you
have devoted your sword. | doubt |
not but that they spring from noble
though deluded nature, and | know
how to appreciate the emotions which
inspired them.


You will have a gallant people to
administer during your occupation of
this city-a people sensitive of all |
that can i'll the least affect its dignity |
md self,resDect. Pray, sir, do not
allow them to be insuIted by the in
.erference OF such as have rendered
themselves odious and contemplate
y their dastardiy desertion Of the
mighty struggle III Which we are ell
gagged, nor Of such as might remind
hem too painfully that they are the
conquered and you the conquerors.


Peace and order may be preserved
a resort to measures which
ould not fail to wound their suscepti-
iIlties and fire up their passions.


The obligations which [. shall as
ume i'll their name shall be religious
7 complied with.
You may trust their honor, though F.
on ought not to count on their sub {
llssion to unmerited wrong.
In conclusion, | beg you to under t
5and that the people of New Orleans,
'hile unable, at this moment, to pre- |
ent You from occupying this city, do !,
1t transfer their allegiance from the !
overnment, Of their choice to one .
hich they have deliberately repudi- '
ed, and that they yield simply that t
'edience which the conqueror is en. Il
)led to extort from the conquered. h
Since writing the above, which is an G
lswer to your verbal communication ?
have received written II
mrunlcatlon, to which shall reply 81
fore II o'clock, ifpos ble to prepare q
| answer in that time.


Respectfully, u


JOHN I. MONROE, Mayor u