Class B ^lO 
 

 HISTOEICAL SKETCH 
 
 OF 
 
 MAJOR TjEN. N. p. BANKS' 
 
 CIVIL AND MILITARY 
 
 ADMINISTRATION IN LOUISTANA. 
 
 TJEIVTU EOITIOjV. 
 
 NEW YORK. 1864, 
 
•1\a 
 
 
GENERAL BANKS'S ADMINISIRATION. 
 
 A GENERAL REVIEW. 
 
 LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT. 
 
 From the New York Evening Post. 
 
 [We have received the proof sheets of the following letter, which we 
 lay before ouf readers as a statement professing to form a part of the 
 secret history of the war :] 
 To Abraham Lincoln, President, <£'c. ; 
 
 Mr. President : In New Oi'leans there is in use a very wonderful cor- 
 dial called "The Eye Opener,'" which I have myself imbibed. As I 
 fear you may not have tasted the nectar, I will tell you of some things 
 I saw — and which may be useful, if not agreeabje. 
 
 A curious prestige has long hung over General Banks, leading to the 
 belief that he is a man equal to any emergency — one who can and will 
 fill any position, even the highest, handsomely ; and tiiat his friends 
 and the nation can rely implicitly upon his ability and perseverance. 
 Thus, while he has few friends, he has many adherents who follow his 
 fortunes. There is something in the lofty manner and elaborate deport- 
 ment of the man — small as he is — which impresses the stranger, and 
 checks the advances of vulgar minds. He has not been known to laugh 
 since he took possession of the Gulf Department — no doubt for good 
 reasons — as it was expected that he would speedily correct all General 
 Butler's sins of omission and commission. He was also to satisfy 
 foreign consuls and pacify domestic enemies. He was to do thus : 
 
 1. To reorganize society, and gently lead back a deluded people. 
 
 2. To reorganize the State, converting it from a slave State to a free. 
 
 3. To encourage and promote industry and commerce, and add to 
 the wealth of the Union the vast supplies of cotton known to be wasting 
 in the State. 
 
 i. To put down disloyalty by force of arms ; to win victories ; and, 
 by destroying rebel armies in Louisiana and Texas, to dishearten the 
 rebellion everywhere. 
 
 This seems a great deal for one man to do, and it is worth while to 
 see how such various duties and complicated problems were grasped 
 and solved by Banks, selected for the work by Mr. Seward and the 
 President, not only because of the prestige attaching to the man, but 
 also because of his versatility and many accomplishments. He dances 
 well, and so is fitted to reorganize society. He makes good sjDeeches, 
 and so must be a statesman. He has been treasurer of a railroad, and 
 so must understand the laws of trade and the springs of industry. He 
 
has been given the title of Major General by a grateful nation, and so 
 must be able to win victories for that nation. He certainly hits threr 
 powerful ingredients which go to make up a great man : 
 
 1. Confidence in himself. 
 
 2. Personal ambition. 
 
 3. Deportment 
 
 The last, not the least. 
 
 HE " REORGANIZKS SOCIETY.'' 
 
 This phrase was in all mouths when I reached New Orleans, and 
 iianks was busy nearly every night in " reorganizing society." The 
 thing was seemingly at its height in the month of February, and party 
 after party opened its welcome doors for me and other good people to 
 enter. Mrs. Banks held weekly receptions at her own house, and a 
 l)leasing confusion was created by balls at the opera house, by mas- 
 (luerades at the opera house (of course carefully selected), by balls at 
 the St. Charles Hotel, by balls at private houses. Dancing was the 
 order of the night. Among the dancers none were more distinguished 
 than Mr. and Mrs. Banks. This social regeneration was brilliantly 
 decorated by United States unitorms ; and the eagles of the Colonel, 
 the stars of the General, the stripes of the Admiral, were seen under 
 every gas-light, while officers of the lower grades swarmed. These 
 gentlemen found the life pleasant, and as they were '• reorganizing 
 society," they appeared to feel the importance of their public duties, 
 and " sighed no more tor the perils of the camp." Dress became moi'e 
 and more elaborate, and Mrs. Banks, who always dressed well, showed 
 how fine clothes could be produced at " Olympes " by paying the 
 price ; but as fine clothes are an evidence of high civilization, none f(dt 
 inclined to find iault. Charitably disposed people also said : " These 
 Generals who dance so well will fight equally well, and if Major Gen- 
 eral Banks dances until the cock-crowing, what matter so he likes it? " 
 Daring the period the new dance called 
 
 " THE IMPERIAL " 
 
 was learned in the military family, through much application, and was 
 got through with tolerably well in public, much to my gratification : 
 for having no genius for dancing, it is a perpetual miracle to me that 
 men and women do get through the mazes wilhout becoming thoroughly 
 confused and giddy. I think, Mr. President, you will sympathize 
 with me. 
 
 It was the wonder and admiration of others as yfeW as myself that 
 Banks, in the midst of his supposed labors, c )uld find time and spirit to 
 •'trip it on his light fantastic toe," night after night, while it was 
 known that he had the welfare of the whole people, black and white, 
 hanging upon his wise and swift decision of the most important ques- 
 tions ; while it was understood, too, that he was preparing a grand 
 army to strike somewhere and destroy our enemies wherever they 
 could be found. But it is certain the dancing could not break him down. 
 
 Was society re-established by this process? As a stranger I found 
 myself introduced to a variety of agreeable people, but 1 tound them 
 to be either officers and their wives or adventurers like myself, ready 
 for what might turn up. I could find among them but one of the old 
 families of New Orleans. In a small way, however, I at last got to 
 know some ot the old inhabitants. They said to me : 
 
 " We are sick of this war ; wish it was ended ; wish it had never 
 been begun. But what does Major General Banks expect to accom- 
 
plish by dancing? WbethtT wc sympatbi/x- with disunion or not, wo 
 have all lost friends in the southern armies. We are in sorrow ; we are 
 poor, and cannot dress as Mrs. Banks does. We must decline the bait : 
 it does not tempt us." 
 
 One of the old citizens I discovered who approved of General Banks's 
 methods of " reorganization." This was an old Mrs. Roux, who kept 
 a costume shop. She told me, with much satisfaction, how good Gen- 
 eral Banks had been to her, enabling her to pay off her debt of eight 
 hundred dollars, and to make " moche money " beside. There is at 
 least one grateful friend gained in the Crescent City. 
 
 But whether it was worth while to undergo so much violent physical 
 exercise, and such a mental strain as was demanded, to learn the " im- 
 perial " at General Banks's age, for the sake of converting one old 
 woman, may be a question. So the winter slipped easily and rapidly 
 away. There were two men who did not appear at these nighth- 
 festivities. One was General Stone (Banks's chief of staif ), the other. 
 General Franklin, in command at Franklin, on the Teche ; and these 
 men. Banks's admirers said, were the hands to execute the victories 
 planned by his leading mind. General Lee was also hard at work 
 organizing a strong body of cavalry, and was impatient for work. We 
 shall see how they came out. 
 
 HE MAKES LOUISIANA A FREE ST.VrE. 
 
 It was believed in New Orleans, Father Abraham, that you needed 
 all the votes you could get to secure a nomination for a second term, 
 and that it w^as of the ut.iiost consi^quence that Louisiana should appear 
 at that convention, favoring you if not Banks himself. Now Mr. Flan- 
 ders and Mr. Durant had been at work organizing a free State move-' 
 ment, and as they were Mr. Chase's friends it might lead to danger. 
 It was necessary to start a new' movement. The Flanders people were 
 in favor of amending the old constitution, abolishing slavery, and in 
 due time proceeding to an election for governor. &c. This might be 
 too slow. The new movement, led by Hahn and Banks, proceeded to 
 an election of Slate officers first, and to a revision of the constitution 
 afterward. It was clear enough that the latter party must Avin, for the 
 whole military power of the Gulf Department was on that side. General 
 Washburn, then in rapid advance in Texas, with nothing- to prevent 
 his clearing the whole coast, was recalled ; Texas was abandoned, so 
 that more of Louisiana might be occupied, and more votes be thus 
 secured. 
 
 We have all believed that there were existing in Louisiana and 
 Texas large numbers of real Union men. who only needed protection 
 to insure their glad return to the old flag. It was found to be true, 
 and wherever our forces appeared, and it seemed safe, the best people 
 came forward and renewed their allegiance. Banks abandoned them. 
 They knew they must fl}' or swing, and hundreds of them did fly, 
 leaving their property, and in some cases their families, behind. They 
 came to New Orleans, and wiiile I was there a body of a hundred of 
 them called upon Banks and asked relief, indemnity, protection. They 
 got — words : were told they took the oath too soon, and were bowed 
 out. The " deportment " of the General was unexceptionable. I 
 understand there were many curses uttered, and the government which 
 permitted such things was not deemed paternal 
 
 We return to the free State movement. It is clear that Mr. Flanders 
 and his friends did not at once fall into Banks's plan, and for a time no 
 love was lost between them. Mr. Flanders decided to run for governor, 
 
and Mr. Hahn of course ran. The press at once came into Banks's 
 plans, backed as they were by the power and patronage of the whole 
 Department, while Mr. Flanders had only the patronage of the Treasury 
 Department to offer. Mr. Flanders unfortunately appeared to repre- 
 sent Mr. Chase, while Mr. Hahn was supposed to' be Mr. Lincoln's can- 
 didate. The motions were gone through with on the 22d of February, 
 and Mr. Hahn was elected. To-day it is plain that the whole thing was 
 a clever piece of legerdemain ; and. except the fine scenery of the 
 inauguration, resulted in nothing. It is so considered by all I know. 
 
 But Mr. Lincoln gained prestige, and secured the votes of Louisiana 
 in the Convention ; and should he be abandoned, Banks becomes the 
 successor. 
 
 Here the free State has rested. Hahn had no power and exercised 
 none, while Banks and the military power controlled all. But on the 
 4th of April a Constitutional Convention was elected, which is now at 
 work — we hope with good promise of success ; and that in good time 
 there will again be protection to the individual under the Constitution 
 and law, and that slavery will be legally as well as practically extinct 
 in Louisiana. 
 
 HE KXCOt'RAGES COMMERCE. 
 
 With gold worth 180 in national currency, cotton selling at eighty 
 cents a pound, and the foreign exchanges steadily working against us, 
 it is of vital importance to produce wealth which will take the place of 
 gold. It is a startling fact that we are now paying two prices for our 
 supplies and munitions of war, and thus are piling up our debt at the 
 rate of two for one. But some people fail to remember that this debt 
 has to be ])aid in gold, and the honor and the entire property and pro- 
 duction of our country are forever pledged for the honest and full pay- 
 ment of this debt. It is not true that we are borrowing from ourselves, 
 and that what goes out of one pocket goes into another. Gradually, if 
 not rapidly, our bonds are being absorbed in Europe, and yet we are 
 obliged to pay to outsiders the interest and principal in gold. If we 
 got an equivalent, well and good, but we do not, and when pay day 
 comes our peojile must send four or more thousand millions of wealth 
 out of the country in some .shape — which will be exhausting to us. fit 
 does not admit of a question that cotton is equivalent to gold, and 
 should be saved, not destroyed. Such a view no doubt was taken by 
 Mr. Secretary Chase, and the Treasury agents at New Orleans and along 
 the IVIississippi have granted such " permits " to merchants as enabled 
 them to get out small amounts of cotton. Permits for " Trade Stores " 
 at some points were granted, and food and supplies were allowed to go 
 in limited quantities for the uses of the plantations upon which work 
 had been started under General Banks's valuable labor orders. The 
 policy of the Treasury Department seemed to be to deal with commerce 
 as liberally as might be consistent with a condition of war. Under this 
 ]n'otection the business of New Orleans had revived, and within a few 
 months warehouse after warehouse had opened its doors, and the old 
 secession merchants bad begun to believe that New Orleans might re- 
 sume its old prosperity, that they might yet collect their debts, and 
 that, after all, the stars and stripes might not be so bad a flag to live 
 under. People in the country, too, had begun to look to us for a market, 
 luxd had a taste of " greenbacks," and were finding where their true in- 
 terests lay. Some hopeless imbeciles say, " What is the Union senti- 
 ment based upon self-interest worth ? " and so scoi'u the returning 
 loyalty of men who hope to make money l>y it. They never knew that 
 
government is instituted solely to favor the individual interests of men. 
 and the government which does not do this is a curse and a blight. The 
 Confederate government is a curse and a blight, and believing as we do 
 that the Union is the opposite, we wish to convince the rebels of the 
 fact. Under the Treasury regulations we were rapidly converting rebels 
 into Union men, but some abuses and evils were incident to this system. 
 It is unquestionably true that under cover of these permits for trade, 
 supplies of various kinds did reach the rebel troops, and some allege 
 in large quantities. There are always smugglers and scamps, and it is 
 hardly advisable to increase the trade restrictions to such an extent as 
 to force out honorable merchants, and thus abandon the field to the 
 former class. We w^l not destroy aU merchants because there are some 
 rogues among them. ' 
 
 ■" Banks felt bitterly towards Mr. Flanders and the Treasury Depart- 
 ment, because of these supplies supposed to I'each the reliel soldiers. 
 and this was a drop added to the cup already pretty full. He gave or- 
 ders that no permits should be valid unless countersigned by himself, 
 and as few had the key to his heart, few got permits ; but some were 
 permitted to ship salt in exchange for cotton, and so it was shipped. 
 Commerce was iu a rather languid state at the time the Red River Ex- 
 pedition was ready to start, and merchants counted upon the opening 
 of a new region, filled, as it was, with cotton. Mau^' of them owned 
 largely of the staple there, having taken it from the planters in pay- 
 ment of old debts, and others had purchased it through agents sent 
 into the country, while others stood ready to pay their " greenbacks '" 
 and receive their cotton so soon as Banks's victorious legions should 
 open the way. The best estimates place the quantity of cotton west of 
 the Mississippi, in Louisiana, at not less than 400,000 bales, of which 
 100,000 bales belonged to the Confederate States ; two purchasing 
 agents having been for a long time employed by them — Broadwell at 
 Shreveport, and McKee at Alexandria. Through these agents great 
 amounts had already been sent through Texas and Mexico to foreign 
 ports, and some thousands of bales were already hauled to the Sabine 
 waiting the chances of shipment. 
 
 Let us make a rough estimate of the value and uses to our Treasury 
 of this 400,000 bales, upon the theory that we could and should have 
 obtained it. 400,000 bales at, say fifty cents per pound, is one hundred 
 millions of dollars, equivalent to so much gold. No one can say just 
 what effect this vast sum would have had upon our currency, but it is 
 believed by many that the difference between it and gold, instead of be- 
 ing eighty per cent, would have fallen to forty per cent., or even less. 
 The entire purchases of the nation would have been so much lessened, 
 and our own future debt i-educed in the same degree. 
 
 The direct taxes upon this 400,000 bales paid into the United States 
 Treasury would have been not less than twelve millions of dollars, in 
 addition to the above-mentioned incidental benefitsr^ 
 
 Sanguine people fondly dreamed that Banks's elaborate expedition 
 into the cotton country meant to release the products of the country, 
 and that the latent Union feeling there would be so stimulated by the 
 benefits resulting to the population that it would be easy afterward to 
 hold that portion of the State. Few believed that this expedition was 
 intended merely to drive back Kirby Smith's ragged troops, who could 
 return at any moment, if the low water of the Red river compelled us 
 to tall back from Shreveport to Alexandria. The natural, simple, easy 
 and right thing would have been to get possession of the C. S. A. cot- 
 ton, and to allow private owners to sell or ship their cotton in exchange 
 
lor t'nited States curreucy. It wiis plain that tlio possession of our 
 currency would I'ostore these long suffering people to their old loyalty, 
 even if they had fallen away after false Gods, as many of them had not. 
 Sanguine people were right — the expedition meant cotton, but notfoi', 
 them. We will try to get at the facts, and so to an understanding 
 this matter. We shall see how ignorance or disobedience of the laws otl 
 trade has worked destruction and ruin. It is known to a few, suspected] 
 by many, that Banks had been offered the C. S. A cotton west of th( 
 Mississippi by the rebel leaders. One offer made was thirty-five thou- 
 sand bales, provided a portion of the price should be paid in supplies. 
 This Banks declined, as it would to a certain extent have given aid and 
 comfort to the enemy. The rebel General Walker had made various 
 fruitless efforts of the same kind, and agent McKee had made some suc- 
 cessful ones from the region below Alexandria. After some negotiation!- 
 the whole C. S. A. cotton (over one hundred thousand bales) was offered 
 to General Banks at a small price for ■• greenbacks."' This was declined 
 also. Suppose Banks had paid for this in greenbacks, say twenty or 
 twenty-five cents a pound, it would seem to have been a good bargain. 
 us we should have got three dollars to their one, and the possession of 
 such an amount of our currency would have probably been an •' eye- 
 opener " to some of the rebel leaders Banks, however, being a states- 
 man and political economist, had plans of his own. About this time, 
 shortly before the moving of the Red River Expedition, there appeared 
 at New Orleans a Colonel Frank E. Howe ; he soon culminated, and was 
 looked upon as the Deus ex Machbm, who was to make the crooked 
 ways straight. No one seemed to know just what he was for, but it was 
 supposed he was sent by Mr. Secretary Chase to bring concord out of 
 discord — to reconcile the jangle existing between the Treasury and the 
 military power. After a good deal of dancing and masquerading. Col. 
 Howe brought the disappoiuted Treasury agent, Mr. Flanders, and 
 (general Banks together at a select dinner party at his house, the object 
 being to reconcile their political differences. There were present, also. 
 Mr. Weed, Mr. Waldron, and a few other able merchants. The wines 
 were good and the conversation extremely interesting ; but, curiously 
 enough, it turned upon cotton instead of politics. It is hardly Avorth 
 while to go into details, but General Banks and Mr. Flanders buried 
 the hatchet and struck hands. Plans were suggested and the pro- 
 gramme agreed upon ; justice should be done though the heavens fell, 
 and C. S. A. should get neither aid nor comfort, but the Treasury should 
 get cotton and Banks would do it. One of Banks's economic notions 
 was, that cotton being worth on the Red river before the arrival of our 
 forces a certain sum (say ten or twelve cents), and the value being in- 
 creased by the resumption of authority by the Uuited States, say to fifty 
 cents— the difference, whatever it was, should go to the Treasury, not 
 to the owners of the cotton.J7 
 
 c A parallel to this might be stated thus : A mob takes possession of 
 the city of New York and drives out the regularly constituted authorities. 
 During the reign of the mob property is almost valueless ; but after a 
 time government asserts its authority and the mob is suppressed. Gov- 
 ernment then takes possession of all property, and pays the owners 
 what it was worth during the time it failed to protect them. This was 
 General Banks's notion. But the usage of civilized nations does not 
 agree with the new doctrine — just the reverse. Injury and destruction 
 of property during mob law is paid for to private owners in full by all 
 Christian governments, and the governmtMit which fails to protect its 
 »-itizens in their persons or [)roperty is justly held liable. Fpon Banks's 
 
9 
 
 new doctrine Lis program me was based, and, briefly, it was this : C. S. 
 A. cotton was to bo seized, of course ; private owners, if loyal, were to 
 be allowed to ship their cotton through the quartermaster only, who 
 would sell it, and pay over two-thirds of the proceeds, if satisfied of 
 their loyalty, and the balance ?J. some future time — deducting, of course, 
 freight and charges. Disloyal owners were to get what they could and 
 when they could, and miglu be thankful if they could get anything. It 
 Avas easy to see that their chances were small, and as everybody in the 
 Confederacy had been forced to submit to the Confederate rule, or fly, 
 or be hung, it might be difficult to satisfy a quartermaster as to the 
 loyalty of any of those people, unless he was very anxious to be satis- 
 fied. It was plain, therefore, that these disloyal people would be glad 
 to sell their cotton, even at a very low price ; and that even loyal 
 owners, in view of the vexations and delays of the quartermaster's 
 department, might be glad to sell for ready money. Upon these 
 theories a magic circle was formed, familiarly called a " ring," and t|ie 
 initiated were to be on the spot, ready to exchange greenbacks for 
 cotton, which cotton was to be shipped to New Orleans through the 
 quartermasters, and once there was to be owned and claimed by them 
 as loyal owners ; no questions were to be asked as to how they became 
 the owners. I understand fifteen cents was to be the market price on 
 the Red river ; and thus one can see that there was a very pretty profit 
 resulting— how to be divided I did not learn. The names of the gentle- 
 men composing this magic " ring " can be furnished, no doubt, by Mr. 
 F. E. Howe? 
 
 C One other arrangement was agreed upon, namely : that Mr. Treastirer 
 Flanders should withdraw all permits to buy or ship products west of 
 the jMississippi, and thus these people would see that, cut off from all 
 markets, they had better sell to somebody on the spot. This part of 
 the plan Mr. Flanders at once carried out, and the sudden embargo 
 upon trade produced astonishment and stagnation in New Orleans. 
 Passes of any kind to possible purchasers were also peremptorily 
 refused by the Provost Marshals, and ex-Governor Wells's son could 
 not get a i)ermit to go home. 
 
 Now, therefore, and after the plan had been perfected. General Banks 
 started upon the Black Hawk, on board which were some five or six 
 gentlemen in black coats, whom men said were the " ring." But, 
 according to his usage. Banks was ten days behind his time. Admiral 
 Porter and General Smith had arrived on the ground first, and here 
 comes in one of those confounded hitches which induce people in 
 novels to say " Alas ! " and in common life, " Oh, ho ! " 
 
 Admiral Porter, upon his arrival in the Red river, began to seize 
 cotton right and left, as prize for the navy, to put it aboard his barges, 
 and send it off to Cairo ; and people say he had got wind of Banks's 
 plan. Upon this Dick Taylor at once swore, '• That every bale of 
 private cotton should be burned, rather than it should be stolen 
 by the damned Yankees ; " so the order went forth, and cotton blazed 
 in every quarter. This was the sight which greeted Banks and his 
 friends on their arrival at Alexandria, and men were aghast at the 
 atrocity of Dick Taylor. 
 
 What was now to be done? Did General Banks issue a brief proc- 
 lamation assuring private owners who should comply with Mr. Lincoln's 
 proclamation that their property should be respected? Not at all. 
 Did he do anything ? He waited for a week, seemingly in great tribu- 
 lation, and then followed the army up the river, leaving some sort of 
 directions in the hands of his quartermaster, which neither of them 
 would confide to property owners m Alexandria. 
 
10 
 
 The most loyal men could only get, •' If you turn your property over 
 to the quartermasters, it will be taken to Nov.' Orleans ; " but how. 
 when, or where they were to get their property or its proceeds no one 
 could discover. In the progi'ess of the business. Chief Quartermastei 
 Holabird had arrived with one or two boats loaded with bagging and 
 rope, which in due time was put into possession of a Mr. McKee, part- 
 ner of Weed of New Orleans, and cousin of McKee, the C. S. A. cotton 
 agent. By him it was disposed of to various parties, and, among others, 
 to General Bailey, fatber-in-law of C. S. A. McKee, who had appeared 
 from Texas as owner of three thousand bales of cotton, and having in 
 his hands a protection from General Banks, issued as late as the 8tii 
 March. General Banks left, and General Grover was in command at 
 Alexandria. He informed the citizens that they must take the oath of 
 allegiance or leave the town, and that no sales of property would be 
 recognized. People took the oath, and an election for delegates to the 
 Constitutional Convention was held, one of whom was Judge Ariail. 
 one of the best citizens of the town, whose loyalty no one impeached. 
 We shall see how Banks's commercial plans worked for him. 
 
 Dr. Sullivan, an old and respected man of seventy, told me he had 
 never been in such troubles. Taylor had burned his baled cotton, but 
 had left his seed cotton untouched. General Grover told him he could 
 not sell it. He had neither negroes, mules, bagging, nor money ; and 
 as his cotton might be burned any night i»y marauders, he was a beg- 
 gar, and tied hand and foot. 
 
 Judge Ariail started for the Convention, having put his cotton into 
 the hands of the quartermaster for shipment, with a faith that at New 
 Orleans he should receive it. He called upon Quartermaster Holabird 
 there, and was then shown for the first time an order from General 
 Banks directing him to take possession of property, ship it to New 
 Orleans, and pay the proceeds into the United States Treasury. Judge 
 Ariail asked, " Will the Treasury pay me the proceeds upon my proving 
 my claim ? " Colonel Holabird replied, " I do not see how they can. 
 as no money can be paid out except by act of Congress." Judge Ariail 
 left the audience, feeling that he had been deceived and robbed by the 
 agents of his own government. ^ 
 «= I can assure you. Father Abraham, that the Union sentiment was not 
 greatly fostered by these proceedings of General Banks. People were 
 much in the state of mind of the husband who looked on at the fight 
 between his spouse and the bear — " Didn't mind which whipped, but a 
 Jeetle inclined to favor the bear. " 
 
 But another party was disgusted, and that was the " ring." It seems 
 that Admiral Porter's seizures and the consequent burning had dis- 
 mayed Banks, and he refused to carry out the plan as agreed upon at 
 Mr. Howe's little dinner. So the gentlemen interested went sorrowfully 
 back to New Orleans. Everything went wrong, and everybody was ex- 
 asperated, simply because General Banks saw fit to defy the natural 
 laws of trade, which allow producer and consumer to sell and buy to 
 their mutual benefit. 
 
 The President's Proclamation has guarantied to citizens in the rebel- 
 lious states the rights and privileges of citizens upon their taking the 
 oath of allegiance. Why should General Banks refuse these people the 
 rights thus guarantied ? Why allow them or force them to take the oath 
 unless he intended to allow them its promises and its benefits? The 
 case seemed flagrant — and the cruelty wanton. It has been practised 
 by Banks along the Texas coast repeatedly, and seems to be a growing 
 policy in some of the departments. 
 
11 
 
 Allow me to ask your attention and that of Mr. Secretary Chase to 
 one gentleman in New Orleans, who seems to comprehend the laws of 
 trade and has the ability to put them in force. This is Dr. H V. Price, 
 well known in New York for his high character and linancial integrity' 
 He now holds some unimportant position in the Treasury Department. 
 I believe, and might be put at the head of such a department as that at 
 New Orleans. But as he is nobody's nephew, is not a stump orator, 
 and does not keep a large grog-shop, his ability may be considered at 
 Washington of small account. Father Abraham, is not this kind of 
 thing, if repeated too often, likely to disgrace you and the free institu- 
 tions besides ? Already the flavor of northern office-holders is rank, 
 and may become putrid in that hot climate. There is a wide-spread 
 belief among both military and civil officers, that whoever owns cotton 
 is a scoundrel, and deserves to be robbed — therefore he can be bullied 
 and hindered and mulcted with impunity — that so doing is doing God's 
 service. Officers of all grades, from Banks down, therefore, treat him 
 with indignity and contempt. A fiour merchant or a dealer in pork 
 may be a gentleman, but a cotton speculator is to be everywhere spit 
 upon. — ' 
 
 WAPl'LES AND DURELL. 
 
 Having briefly pointed to Banks's flagrant projects, I now come to 
 the latest judicial positions taken at New Orleans by the highest tribu- 
 nals. A person named Wapples or Wattles has procured the appoint- 
 ment of United States District Attorney, and a Mr. Durell has received 
 the appointment of United States District Judge from yourself, Recently 
 this Wapples has taken a broad, comprehensive position like this — (I 
 state generally not technically). He holds that all merchandise now 
 coming to New Orleans from the interior is to be considered as forfeited, 
 is to be seized, put into court and to be condemned if possible. And 
 he proceeds, therefore, to seize everything which arrives, and I am told 
 Judge Durell refuses to release upon adequate bonds. A case of this 
 kind was just decided — a French citizen, owner of cotton across the 
 lake, had at last got permission from the Treasury agents, from Provost 
 Marshal Bowen, from General Banks himself, to bring in his cotton for 
 sale or shipment. Wapples steps in, seizes it, puts it into court, and 
 Durell condemns it. It is to be sold, and the Frenchman's remedy is— 
 a claim upon the United States Government— one of a million. Do you 
 wonder. Father Abraham, that private owners burn their property? 
 Wapples' and Durell's position, I take it, is much the same as if Mr. 
 District Attorney Smith should seize and attempt to condemn every ship 
 and cargo that roaches New York, and Judge Betts were to combine 
 with him in the grand crusade against merchants and commerce. 
 
 You, Mr. President, may think these matters of little moment, but the 
 people of the Gulf Department take another view. Wapples gets his 
 fees at any rate — and he does not complain. He represents the law and 
 justice of the United States in the Gulf Deijartment. 
 
 UE WINS VICTORIES. 
 
 It is not necessary now to go into any detailed statements of the Red 
 River campaign, and of the battles of the 8th and ;)th April at Sabine 
 Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill. The latter day Banks claimed a victory. 
 Let me state a few facts. 
 
 Banks's army was marched up through the Teche country to Alex- 
 andria at an enormous cost, when it could have been taken by water 
 at one-fourth the cost. 
 
12 
 
 It was not in time to co-operate with Porter and Smith, and it is 
 patent in the Department that Banlis is nerer np to time. 
 
 It was delayed at Alexandria by the non-arrival of General Banks 
 himself, and every day's delay gave the enemy time to concentrate 
 his forces. 
 
 Banlis was on the battle-field on the 8th. some three hours before the 
 battle of Sabine Cross Roads, and approved of General Lee"s disposition 
 of his cavalry. He gave him also an order to advance against the 
 enemy strongly posted, but was shown by Lee that such an advance 
 must be disastrously latal. 
 
 During the battle he is not known to have given any orders, except 
 one ; that was after the rout began, and he was told that two aban- 
 doned guns were loaded. He said, with his most impressive manner, 
 " Let the guns be fired off instantly ! " Yet, after the disaster at Sabine 
 Cross Roads, the Commanding General was anxious to allow General 
 Lee to ask to be relieved, and to appear to be the man who had failed 
 to do his best that day, all of which General Lee peremptorily declined 
 to do. 
 
 After the battle of Pleasant Hill, when the enemy was repulsed with 
 heavy loss, Banks gave the order to retreat to Grand Ecore. leaving 
 our dead and wounded on the field. The enemy at the same moment 
 was retreating rapidly toward Mansfield. 
 
 To get together his grand army he has weakened every post in the 
 Department, has abandoned others, and brought to pass a painful and 
 violent feeling of distrust among all people. The cry is '■ Butler — not 
 Banks ! " 
 
 Nearly every general ofiBcer in his Department has repeatedly asked 
 to be relieved ; their names ar/e to be found on the records of the War 
 Department. He seems to confide in none and to dislike many. 
 
 He avers that he has been ileglected and unsupported by the central 
 government. 
 
 The conclusions forced upon the dispassionate on-looker in the Gulf 
 Department are : / 
 
 1. That General Banks's /administration, in civil as well as military 
 affairs, has been a lamenta)i)le and prolonged failure. 
 
 2. That he does not comprehend the plain, simple, and honest prin- 
 ciples of statesmanship ; or, if he does, he fails in their application. 
 In other words, he does not show promptness or executive ability in 
 either civil or military matters. 
 
 3. That he is a superior rhetorical mediocrity, who should as speedily 
 as possible find his place. 
 
 My task. Mr. Lincoln, has not been an agreeable one ; but the nation 
 has suffered grievously from incompetency in high quarters, and for 
 this suffering, and its continuance long after the people were in a -itate 
 of exasperation, you have been properly held responsible. I need no 
 apology, therefore, in earnestly asking your immediate attention to this 
 case. Let there be no more precious lives wasted, or precious millions 
 squandered, to preserve an elaborate reputation ; but let the evil cease 
 at once, and you will have my blessing. 
 
 Respectfully your obedient servant, P. W, 
 
 P. S. — Any further information I can give is freely at your service. 
 
 LBIVIy'15 
 
I