, O \ S - _T; CTx/ ^ o r , Pi >. ''^. Ow../vv\-*.A,^t T Tut •-itv^ ^^KA. -Cj.jv, r' , ■-^V^'p \ '. r • >,. I, ■^'-r fy li-s^ft/-, .V 'T *. ♦. . , •‘7 No. 2. State of Illinois, Executive Department, Springfield, November 3, 1871. His Excellency U. S. Grant, t President of ilie UnUtd States: Sir; I have the honor to inclose to you a printed slip cut from the “Chicago Jour* nal,” a highly respectable newspaper, published in Chicago, and respectfully ask your attention to its contents. My apology^for troubling your Excellency with a paper of the character of that in¬ closed is, that it is stated therein that “ four companies of the Eighth United States Infantry have been ordered from New York to Chicago, and will arrive there to-morrow (to day), subject to the call of the authorities,” and that the reasons for ordering troops to Chicago are, that “ the large supplies the Relief Society will have in store during the winter were not deemed safe; besides, threatened strikes in some quarters indicated that laborers, willing to work might not be allowed to do so,” and that an application, stating these facts, was signed by the officers of the Relief Society, and other citizens, presented to G e’neral Sheridan, and by him approved and referred to the Secretary of' War. In addition to this, rumors in the form of telegraphic dispatches from Washington and Chicago have reached me, that troops were ordered to Chicago for purposes con¬ nected with the safety of property and the preservation of order in the city, but no information of the existence of the dangers alluded to have reached me from any quarter whatever. I cheerfully concede that it is for the President to designate the stations of the troops composing the army, and that he is under no obligations, founded upon the constitu¬ tion or the laws, or upon the rules of official courtesy, to communicate his orders, or the reasons that influence him in making them, to the Governor of any of the States, unless the orders in question, or the presence of the troops, are intended in some way to affect or influence the internal affairs of the particular State to which the troops are sent. In the latter case, it will readily occur to you that the Governor of the State, whose duty it is to enforce the laws, is deeply concerned for the troops, and the orders under which they are to act may operate to diminish, or greatly increase the difficulties of his official position. I am happy in the consciousness that the authorities of the State of Illinois are abundantly able to protect every interest of the people that depends upon its internal peace and good order, and am unwilling to believe that the President of the United States, acting upon information of a contrary character, communicated by pri¬ vate citizens to an officer of the army, has ordered any portion of the army into this State, to be subject to the call of the authorities, either to protect the store-houses of the Relief Committee, or to interfere with the possible, though not probable “ strikes” of laborers. I, therefore, deem it due to the importance of the subject, to frankly inquire of your Excellency whether the troops ordered to Chicago are intended or instructed to obey the call of any authorities of the State of Illinois, or the city of Chicago, or in any way whatever to assume the protection either of property or the preservation of order in that city? I have the honor to be. With great respect, etc., JOHN M. PALMER, 4 No. 3. EXECUTIVE MAXSIOK, Washington, D. C., November 9, 1871. His Excellency J. M. Palmer, Governor of lllmoia; Sir : I am in receipt of your letter of the third instant, inquiring the nature of the orders, etc., under which four companies of United States troops have been ordered to < the city of Chicago, and asserting your ability, as Executive officer of the State, to fur¬ nish all the protection asked in the appeal of the citizens of Chicago from these troops. In reply, I inclose you a copy of the appeal, of General Sheridan’s remarks thereon, •of the orders given in sending the troops, and of all correspondence between General Sheridan and the authorities here, since the great fire, which laid so much of the wealth of Chicago in ashes. I will only add, further, that no thought here even contemplated distrust of the State authorities of the State of Illinois, or lack of ability on their part to do all that was necessary, or expected of them, for the maintenance of law and order within the limits of the State. The only thing thought of was how to benefit a people stricken by a calamity greater than had ever befallen a community of the same number before in this country. The aid was of a like nature with that given in any emergency requiring immediate action. No reflections were contemplated or thought of, affecting the integrity or ability of any State officer or city official, within the limits of the State of Illinois, to perform his ■4 whole duty. I have the honor to be, With great respect. Your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT. I. (Proclamation.) The preservation of the good order and peace of the city is hereby entrusted to Lieu¬ tenant General P. H. Sheridan, United States Army. The police will act in conjunction with the Lieutenant General, in the preservation o£ the peace and quiet of the city, and the Superintendent of Police will consult with him to that end—the intent hereof being to preserve the peace of the city without inter¬ fering with the functions of the city government. Given under my hand this eleventh day of October, 1871. Official copy: James B. Fry, Ass’i Ad ft OerCl. R. B. MASON, Mayor. II. Headquarters Military Div. of the Missouri, Chicago, III., October 11, 1871. Gen. F. T. Sherman : Dear Sir —With the approbation of the Mayor of this city, Lieutenant-General Sheri¬ dan directs that you organize a regiment of infantry, to consist of ten (10) companies; each company to consist of one (1) Captain, one (1) First and one (1) Second Lieuten¬ ant, and sixty (60) enlisted men, to serve as guards for the protection of the remaining portion of the city of Chicago, for the period of twenty (20) days. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES B. FRY, A. A. G. Official copy : James B. Fry, AmH Adft GenH. III. (Telegram.) V Chicago, Ills., Oet. 11, 1871. Gen. E. D. Townsend, ,, Adjutant General : There was some excitement here yesterday and last evening, but is now quieting down. Some of the troops from Leavenworth and Omaha are coming in. I have taken the necessary steps to meet the condition of affairs here. P. H. SHERIDAN. Lieutenant General. IV. (Telegram.) Chicago, Ills., Oct. 12, 1871. To Gen. E. D. Townsend, Adjutant General; As there may be some trouble here when the banks have to settle with their depositors, and to keep down excitement, I have deemed it best to ask General Halleck for four (4) companies of infantry, which he has notified me he has in readiness at Louisville. ' P. H. SHERIDAN, Lieutenant General. V. Chicago, Ills., Oct. 22, 1871. Liedt. Gen. P. H. Sheridan, U. S. A : Permit me to tender you the thanks of the city of Chicago and its whole people, for the very efficient aid which you have rendered in protecting the lives and property of the citizens, and in the preservation of the general peace and good order of the community. I would like your opinion as to whether there is any longer a necessity for the con:- tinued aid of the military in that behalf. R. B. MASON, Mayor.. Head Quarters Military Div’n of the Missouri, Chicago, October 26, 1871. Official copy: James B. Fry," AsaH AdjH GerCl. VI. Head Quarters Military Div’n of the Mo., f Chicago, October 28, 1871. To His Honor R. B. Mason, Mayor of the City of Chicago : Sir —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your kind note of the date of yesterday, and in reply, I beg leave to report a good condition of affairs in the city. If your Honor deem it best, I will disband the volunteer organization of military on duty since the fire, and will send the troops of the regular army to their homes, and will consider myself relieved from the responsibility of your proclamation of the eleventh instant. 6 With my sincere thanks for your kindness and courtesy in my intercourse with you, I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, P. H. SHERIDAN, Official copy: James B. Fry, Am'I Adj't Oen'l. Lieutenant Oeneral. vn. MAYOR’S OFnCE, City of Chicago, October 23, 1871. Lieut, Gen. P. H. Sheridan, U. S. A. Upon consultation with the Board of Police Commissioners, I am satisfied that the continuance of the efficient aid in the preservation of order in this city, which has been rendered by the forces under your command in ’pursuance of my proclamation, is no longer required. I will therefore fix the hour of 6 P. M., of this day, as the hour at which the aid requested of you shall cease. Allow me again to tender you the assurance of my high appreciation of the great and efficient service which you have rendered in the preservation of order, and the protection of property in this city, and to again thank you, in the name of the city of Chicago and its citizens, therefor. I am, respectfully. Your obedient servant, R. B. MASON, Mayor. Official copy : James B. Fry, Ass't Adj't Gen'l. Yin. Head Quarters Mil. Div, of the Missouri, Chicago, III., October 24, 1871. General Orders, No. 5. The First Regiment Chicago Volunteers, raised with the approbation of the Mayor, and in pursuance of orders dated October 11, 1871, from these Headquarters, is hereby honorably mustered out of service and discharged. This regiment was constituted as follows : Colonel Frank T. Sherman, First Chi¬ cago Volunteers, commanding. Major C. H. Dyer, Adjutant. Major Charles T. Scammon, Aide-de-Camp. Lieut.-Colonel H. Osterman, First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia. Major G. A. Bender, First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia. Captain Fischer’s Company (A), First Regiment National Guards, Ills. State Militia. Captain Pasch’s Company (D), First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia. Captain Cronas’ Company (G), First Regiaient National Guards, Illinois State Militia. 7 •Captain Paul’s Company (H), First Regiment National Guards, Illiuois State Militia. Captain Kelter’s Company (I), First Regiment National Guards, Illinois State Militia. Captain Rogers’ Company (B), First Chicago Volunteers, Lieut. Adams commanding. Captain Merrill’s Company (C), First Chicago Volunteers. Captain Baker’s Company (K), First Chicago Volunteers, recruited by Capt. Whit¬ tlesey. Captain Colson’s Company, University Cadets. Captain Croley’s Company, Montgomery Light Guards. Captain McCarthey’s Company, Mulligan Zouaves. Captain Ryan’s Company, Sheridan Guards. Captain Suiter’s Company, Chicago Cadets. Captain Williams’ Company, Hannibal Zouaves. The Norwegian Battalion of National Guards, Major Alstrup commanding. Ole Ben- dixen, adjutant. Captain Paulsen’s Company, (A.) Captain Eck’s Company, (B.) Captain Johnson’s Company, (C.) Captain Bentzen’s Company, (D.) The troops were suddenly called from civil pursuits to aid Lieutenant-General Sheri¬ dan in preserving peace and good order, and in protecting the property in the unburned portion of the city—a duty intrusted to him during the emergency resulting from the late fire. They came forward promptly and cheerfully, at a time rendered critical by the unparalleled disaster which visited the city on the 8th and 9th instants, a calamity pro¬ ducing general distrust and distress, leaving a large part of the city in smouldering ruins, a large part in darkness by the destruction of the gas works, and the whole of it without water, and this with a fire department crippled and exhausted by the struggle it had gone through. They have performed the arduous and delicate duties falling to them under these cir¬ cumstances with marked industry, fidelity and intelligence. The Lieutenant-General thanks officers and men of the command, for the services rendered, and commends them to the kind consideration of their fellow citizens; and he makes special acknowl¬ edgment of the valuable aid received from their commander. General Frank T. Sher¬ man—distinguished upon the battle fields of the late war—as well as from his official staff. Major C. H. Dyer, Adjutant, and Major Charles T. Scammon, Aid-de-Camp. By command of Lieutenant-General Sheridan. JAMES B. FRY, AssH Adft Gen. IX. Head Quarters Military Div’n op the Missouri, Chicago, III., October 24, 1871. Special Orders, No. 76. The companies of the 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th and 16th United States infantry, on duty in this city, are hereby relieved, and will proceed to their respective stations, as follows: Companies “F,” “H” and “K,” of the 4th, and “E” of the 16th, to Louisville, Ky. Companies “A,” “H” and “K,” of the 5th, to Fort Leavenworth. Company “I,” of the 6th, to Fort Hays. Companies ‘'A” and “K,” of the 9th, to Omaha. The Qaartermaster’s Department will famish the necessary transportation. By command of Lieutenant-General Sheridan. Official: JAMES B. FRY, AuU Adft Gen. X. Head Quarters Military Div. op the Missouri, Chicago, October 25, 1871. To the AdjiUanJt-General of the Army^ Woihivgton^ D. C. : Sir: The disorganized condition of affairs in this city, produced by and immediately following the late fire, induced the city authorities to ask for assistance from the mili¬ tary forces, as shown by the Mayor’s proclamation of October 11, 1871. [Copy here¬ with, marked A.] To protect the public interests intrusted to me by the Mayor’s proc¬ lamation,! called to this city companies A and K of the 9th infantry, from Omaha; com¬ panies A, H and K of the 5th infantry, from Fort Leavenworth; company I, 6th infantry, from Fort Scott; and accepted the kind offer of Major-General Halleck to send to me companies F, H and K of the 4th, and company E of the 16th infantry, from Kentucky. I also, with the approbation of the Mayor, called into the service of the city of Chicago,, a regiment of volunteers for twenty days. [Copy of this call inclosed herewith, marked B.] These troops, both regulars and volunteers, were actively engaged during, their service here in protecting the treasure in the burnt district, guarding the unburnt, district from disorders and danger by further fires, and in protecting the store-houses,, depots and sub-depots of supplies, established for the relief of sufferers from the fire. These duties were terminated on the 23d inst., as shown by letters herewith, (marked C,. D and E,) and on the 24th inst. the regulars started to their respective stations, and the volunteers were discharged, as shown by special orders No. 76, and general orders No. 5 from these headquarters. [Copies herewith.] It is proper to mention that these volun¬ teers were not taken into the service of the United States, and no orders, agreements, or promises were made giving them any claims against the United States for services, rendered. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, P. H. SHERIDAN, lAeutertant-General U. S. A., Commawling. (The above communication indorsed as follows:) Head Quarters of the Army, Washington, D. C., October 31, 1871. Respectfully Submitted to the Secretary of War; The extraordinary circumstances attending the great fire in Chicago, made it emi¬ nently proper that General Sheridan should exercise the influence, authority and power he did on the universal appeal of a ruined and distressed people, backed by their civil agents who were powerless for good. The very mo-ment that the civil authorities felt able to resume their functions. General Sheridan ceased to exercise authority, and. h e United States troops returned to their respective stations. General Sheridan’s course is fully approved. Seen by the Secretary of War; John Potts, C. C. W. D. W. T. SHERMAN, General. 9 \ XL CHICAGO RELIEF AND AID SOCIETY, Standard Hall, Cor. Michigan Av. and Thirteenth St.,. Chicago, Octobir 28, 1871, Henry W. King, President; Wirt Dexter, Chairman Ex. Com.; Geo. M. Pullman, Treas. Lieutenant-Generai. P. H. Sheridan, Commanding Department of the Mmouri: j General : The undersigned respectfully and urgently request that you will cause four companies of U. S. Infantry to be stationed at or near this city, until it shall appear that there is no danger of attack, by disorderly persons, upon the depots of the Relief and Aid Society, or other riotous proceedings, for which the recent appalling calamity may have paved the way. We believe that the presence of a small military force in this vicinity would, at the same time, deter any evil-disposed persons from organizing a breach of the peace, and reassure the public mind in an extraordinary degree. Thanking you for the great services you have already rendered to this stricken com^ munity, We are. General, your obedient servants, Wirt Dexter, Chair. Ex. Com. Relief and Aid Soc, Joseph Medill, ' Editor Tribune. W. F. COOLBAUGH, President Union National Bank. H. K. Eames, President Commercial National Bank. F. Irving Pearce, President Michigan National Bank. C. H. Beck’with & Sons, 140 Michigan Avenue. J. W. Preston, President Chicago Board of Trade. Chas. Randolph, Secretary Chicago Board of Trade. E. Hengerland, Illinois River Elevator. Horace White, Chicago Tribune. Charles L. Wilson, Chicago Journal. XII. Head Quarterns Military Div. of the Missouri, Chicago, Oct. 29, 1871. Brigadier General E. D. Townsend, Adft-Gen. U 8. A., Washington, D. C.: General: Almost before the great conflagration in this city had exhausted itself, I saw the necessity of having a few companies of regular troops here for the preservation 10 of the public peace and the protection of property and treasure. Their services were invaluable, but as soon as the excitement subsided, the old city government desired to again take charge, and of course I sent the troops home, although it had been my inten¬ tion to keep four companies here during the winter. The result has been that the troops were no sooner gone, than the turbulent spirit commenced to manifest itself, and seems to be increasing. I have, therefore, been bo- < licited, by Mr. Joseph Medill, the in-coming new mayor, and the prominent citizens, to again bring to the city, for the winter, four (4) companies of infantry. I am satisfied of the necessity of their presence here, and ask the authority of the Secretary of War to bring them. They can be spared from General Pope’s command. Please answer by telegraph. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, P. H. SHERIDAN, Lieutenant- Gerteral Coramaruling. XIII. (Telegram.) Head Quarters of the Army, Washington, Oct. 31, 18*71. To Gen. P. H. Sheridan, Chicago: Four companies of the 8th Infantry are ordered to Chicago to act as police, under your letter of the 29th. W. T. SHERMAN, General. XIV. (Telegram.) Head Quarters of the Army, Washington, Oct. 31, 18*71. To Gen. George G. Meade, Philadelphia: Order four (4) companies of 8th Infantry, with field officer, to Chicago, to report to General Sheridan in person. W. T. SHERMAN, General. Head Quarters Military Div. of the Atlantic, Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 1, 1871. Spbclal'Order, No. 63. The telegraphic order of the 31st ultimo, directing the Commanding General Depart- ment'of the East to send four companies of the 8th Regiment of Infantry, with field officer, to’Chicago, to report in person to Lt. Gen. Sheridan, commanding Military Divis¬ ion of the Missouri, is hereby confirmed. By command of Major-General Meade: R. C. DRUM, A. A. G. XV. State of Illinois, Executive Department, f Springfield, Novemher 20, 1871. His Excellency U. S. Grant, President United States: Sir;—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th of Novem, ber, in__ reply to mine of the 3d of the same month, and also the copies of papers for¬ warded me by your direction. SP' 11 I have read your Excellency’s letter, and examined the papers received with great attention, and while I am not insensible of the kindness that prompts you to disclaim all distrust of the authorities of the State of Illinois, or of their ability to do all that may be necessary, or expected of them for the maintenance of law and order within I the limits of the State, I have been unable to find anything in them to justify the ex¬ traordinary measure of ordering four companies of United States troops into this State to report to Lieutenant General Sheridan to act as police under his orders. It seems to me to be very well settled as a principle of American public law, that the duty of protecting persons and property, and the preservation of public order and peace against the efforts of disorderly persons, or from local internal disturbance, is the - peculiar and exclusive duty of the States, with which the government of the United States has no concern, and in which it cannot interfere, except upon the application of the Legislature or the Executive of the States, as contemplated by the 4th section of the 4th article of the Constitution, and that any attempt by the officers of the United States army to employ any part of the military forces, as proposed by the gentlemen who made the application for four companies of Infantry to be stationed at or near Chicago for an indefinite period, and approved by Lieutenant General Philip H. Sheridan, in his letter to the Adjutant General of the 29th of October, and by General W. T. Sherman, by his telegraphic communication to Lieutenant General Sheridan, of October 31st, 1871, must be improper, because violative of the Constitution and the laws. I am not at all forgetful that your Excellency says “ that what was done in respect to ordering the troops to Chicago, was upon the ground of emergency, to aid a people who had suffered greatly;” but, in this view, it seems to me that the General command¬ ing the army overlooked the fact that the disastrous fire at Chicago did not relieve the State of Illinois from any of its duties, nor transfer any of them to the government of the United States. Emergencies that demand extraordinary efforts often occur in the history of govern¬ ments, but I do not remember another instance in our history, when it was held that an •event that created a sudden demand upon the powers and resources of a State, operated to transfer any portion of the duties of the States to the United States. The great fire at Chicago ceased on the 9th of October, and the Executive of the State of Illinois, under the belief that the disaster created an “ emergency ” provided for by constitution of the State, convened the General Assembly to meet in session on the 13th day of that month to make legal provisions to meet all the requirements of the occasion, and on the 19th day of October that department appropriated from the treasury an ade¬ quate sum to maintain a sufficient police force for the protection of every interest of the people. The emergency was thus provided for by the proper department of the proper government, in the only way that it could be done, or can be done. The State enlarged and strengthened its own agencies for the enforcement of its own laws, to meet the re¬ quirements of the new situation. The same calamity deprived the United States of its custom house, its post office, its court room and records, and threw upon that govern’ inent the duty of adopting measures to supply the loss, but it has not yet occurred to the authorities of the State that the losses of the United States, or the interruption of its business, has so far changed the relations of the Federal and State systems, as to cast any portion of the duty of providing for a,ny of the wants of the United States upon the State of Illinois, and they are as little able to understand how it is that events that can¬ not operate to enlarge the powers of the government of the State, should operate to confer upon a Lieutenant-General of the army the authority to interfere in matters of purely local State concern, or to authorize the General commanding the army to recog- 12 nize and approve the application of the Lieutenant-General, and order four companies of United States Infantry to report to him to discharge the mere civil duties of “ police.” I do not, of course, propose to discuss with your Excellency the question of the rela¬ tive rights and powers of the United States, and of the States, under the Constitution, for I will not anticipate the possibility of a difference of opinion upon the point that the duties of the executive officers of the two systems are defined so accurately, and are kept so distinct by written constitutions and laws, that there is no possibility of a con' flict between them. The duty of the President is to see that the laws of the United States are enforced, and that of the Governor of Illinois is confined to the enforcement of the laws of the State. Neither obstructs the other, nor aids nor interferes with his duties. The Governor of a State derives none of his powers from the United States, nor are his duties subject, in any respect, to the consent or discretion of the President, who can, in no wise, enlarge, abridge, or interrupt them, either by assuming them him¬ self, or by entrusting them to others. As these opinions seem to me to be incontrovertable, I cannot doubt that the orders to United States troops to act as police, or to otherwise interfere in the affairs or duties of the State, or any of its officers, were made without reflection, and that the troops will be at once withdrawn from this State; or, that the orders for their government will be so modi¬ fied, as to prohibit their employment as police, or in any other way to interfere with any of the duties and functions of any of the officers created under the laws of this State. The State of Illinois cannot accept their aid, or permit their interferance in its affaire, without a sacrifice of the confidence of its citizens, nor without giving countenance to & dangerous example. Respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN M. PALMER. XYI. EXECLT'IVE MANSION, Washington, D. C., Nov. 26, 1871. Sir: —I have received your letter of the 20th instant, and have referred it to the Secretary of War, with directions to inform General Sheridan that if the troops under his command have received any orders which, in any way, conflict with the provisions of the Constitution or the laws of the State of Illinois, he is instructed to rescind them. Very respectfully yours, U. S. GRANT. To His Excellency, John M. Palmer, Governor of Illinois, Springfield, III. In submitting these papers to the General Assembly, it is not improper for me to say that when the regular troops that bad occupied Chicage from the 11th to the 23d day of October, 1871, were ordered to their stations, and the volunteer force organized by Lieut. Gen. Sheridan was disbanded, I did not believe it to be possible that any officer of the U. S. Army could again find a pretext for intermeddling in the affairs of the State of Illinois. 13 My expectation of future exemption from military interference was based upon the belief that the authorities of the State had already done enough for the maintenance of law, and for the pro¬ tection of all the interests of the people of Chicago, to merit their full confidence, and that the local officers of the cit7 were ■itt! * then so alive to their duties, and so confident in the support of a. powerful State, that no room would be left for external inter¬ vention. Everything, indeed, had been done for the aid and pro¬ tection of the people of Chicago that was possible, and if all 'their interests were not secure, it was because the resources of • civil government were not equal to their necessities. The papers and correspondence herewith transmitted demon- ■^strate. however, that I was mistaken, and that the appropriations •made by the General Assembly for the support of an adequate police force in Chicago, the 'energetic discharge of duty by the police, and the most orderly conduct on the part of the people, were alike unavailing—for, on the Slst day of October, 1871, Oeneral W. T. Sherman, upon the application of Lieutenant Gen¬ eral Sheridan, ordered troops to Chicago to act as police. My letters to the President of the United States, of the 3d and 20th of November, will prove that I have exerted myself to in¬ duce the President to withdraw these troops from the State, or to prohibit them from interfering in its internal affairs; and those of the [President to me, of date of November 9th and 25th, will show that my efforts have been fruitless, and that the President has practically referred the whole subject to the decision of the • officer whose conduct is questioned. It is manifest that the order of the President, described in his letter of November 25, ends all discussion, and leaves Lieutenant- General Sheridan with four companies of infantry in Chicago with discretionary powers to intermeddle in affairs that are within the exclusive and peculiar jurisdiction of the State, and with which the President and his military subordinates have no right¬ ful concern whatever. It seems to me, from the letters of the President, and the papers laid before the General Assembly, that General Sherman and Lieutenant-General Sheridan entertain the belief that, ur-^er our system of government, it is a part of the duty of the officers of the army of the United States to superintend the administra- 'tion of the local governments, and that if they are not satisfied 3 0112 098435099 U with the measure of protection afforded by the States to the per¬ sons and property of their own citizens, the officers of the army have the right, at their own discretion, to introduce a part of the army, and, through its agency, afford such additional protection to the people as they may think necessary or proper, and that their right to interpose for that purpose does not depend upon the ability of the States to discharge their duties. There is no other ground upon which the conduct of Generals Sherman and Sheridan can be placed. No one will pretend that the State of Illinois is not able to enforce its own laws, and pro¬ tect every person and all the property within its limits; but Gen¬ eral Sheridan, in the exercise of his superintendence of its affairs, was not satisfied with the provisions made by the State for the safety of property, and the control of what he is pleased to call “the turbulent element” in Chicago, and he therefore informed the Adjutant General that “ I am satisfied of the necessity of their (four companies of infantry) presence here, and ask thel authority of the Secretary of War to bring them;” and General Sherman, acting upon the same principle, promptly informed him by telegraph that “ four companies of the Eighth Infantry are ordered to Chicago to act as police, undeyyour letter of the 29th.” The President, it is true, in his letter to me of the 9th of] November, informed^me “ that the only thing thought of inorder-j ing these troops to Chicago was how to benefit a people strickenj by a calamity greater than had ever befallen a community of thej same number before in in this country. The aid was of a like! nature with that given on any emergency requiring immediatel action.” It is to be remembered that Chicago is a part of one ol the most wealthy and powerful States of the Union, that the StatJ Government is in full vigor, and its laws everywhere enforced! and that its resources are ample for the discharge of all its duties! It will surprise no one, then, that I protest that no emergency haJ existed at any time in the history of the State of Illinois for whiclffl it was unable to provide, and nothing in the Constitution or thfl laws to give the President or his military subordinates the righM to determine when it is necessary or proper for the authorities oil the United States to interfere in the internal affairs of the State8.|jl I also deny that the officers of the army have the right to dej|j termine the measure of the duties of any civil officer, under an circumstances whatever, or that their powers are increased b