Year: 1862

MAYORS OsTcE, CRY OF NEw ORLAss,


Cry HALL, April 26, 1862


Flag-OGcar d. G. Faragat, U. S. Flag-Shp


HGrtford;


ssrK. In pursuance Of n. resolution, which
we thought proper to take, out OF regard for
the lives of the women and children, who still
crowd the metropolis, Gen. Lowell has evacua-
ted it with his troops and restored back to me
the administration of its government, and the
custody of it's honor. have, in council with
the city fathers, considered the demand you
made of me yesterday of an unconditional sur
render OF the city, coupled with requsition
to hoist the 1ag of the United States on the
public editices, and haul down the flag that
still floats upon the breeze from the dome of
this hall Il becomes my duty to transmit to
YOU AN answer which the universal sentiment of
nv constituents no less than the prompting of
nv own heart dictates on this sad and solemn
occasion. The city is without the means of de-
fence. and is utterly destitute of the force and
material that might enable it TO resist an over
powering armament displayed in sight of it.


l am no military man, and possess no author
ity beyond that Of executing the municipal laws
OF the city of New Orleans, therefore it would
be presumptuous in me 30 attempt TO lead an
army to tho field, if | had one at command !:
and know still less how to surrender AN unde-
itn,led place held as this is at the mercy ofyour
cunners and your mortars. To surrender such
u place were an idle and unnleaning ceremony.
The CITY is yours by the power OF brutal force,
not by my choice or the consent of its tnhahl-
tanls Its for you to determine what will be
The fate that awaits it.-As to hosting any flag
rot of onr own adoption and allegiance, let me
say to you that the man lives not IN our midst
whose hand and heart would not be paraiyzed
ut the mere thought of such an act; nor could
find. in my entire constituency, so desperate
and wretched q renegade rs would dare to pro-
fame with his hand the sacred emblem Of our as
pirntions.


Sir, YOU have manifested sentiments which
would become one engaged in better cause
than that to which you have devoted your
sword I doubt not that they spring from
noble though dciuded nature, and know how
to appreciate the emotions which inspired them.
You have gallant people to administrate dur
ing your occupancy of this city-a people SEN
sitive to all that can in the least affect their
dignity and salf-respcct Pray, sir, do not fail
to regard their susceptibi'itios. Tile obligations
which shall assume in their name shall be re-
liqiously complied with. Youma trust their
henor, slough you might not count on their
submission to unmerted wrong.


In conclusion, beg you to understand that
the people of New Orleans, while unable to re-
sist your force, do not allow themselves to be
insulted by the interference of such as have
rendered themselves obnoxious and contemplate
by their dastardly desertion of our cause in the
mighty struggle in which we are engaged, or
such as might remind them too forcibly that
they are the conquered, and yours the conquer
ors. Peace and order may be preserved with
out resort to measures which l coyld not at
this moment prevent. Your occupying the city
does not transfer allegiance from the Govern
ment of their choice to one which they have
deliberately repudiated, but they yield the obe-
dicnce which the conqueror is entitled to extort
from the conquered.


Respectfully, JoiN +. MONROE,
Mayor.