(Private)
New Orleans, December 17th.
Dear Sir: Gen.
Banks and staff arrived here on the evening of Sunday the 14th, and he assumed
command of the Department of the Gulf yesterday. Enclosed is Gen. Butler's
final order — and Gen. Banks' order on assuming command.
I endeavor to ascertain how this change is received here and
the result of my inquiries and observations is very satisfactory. Probably
those most intimately connected with Gen. Butler, regret the change, and many
of the loyal citizens express a fear that the new administration of affairs,
will lack the vigor and ability of the former. Some also, think that injustice
has been done Gen. Butler in removing him from a command where he has succeeded
so admirably. But the general expression is one of satisfaction. The fact is,
that the extensive commercial proceedings which were tolerated (to say the
least) by the former Commanding General, have created a general disgust. The
public opinion was fixed, that these transactions were for Gen. Butler's own
benefit, and the dissatisfaction on this account was intense. Gen. Butler has
always been very kind to me, and assisted me whenever asked & I feel very
grateful to him. But yet I believe the change is a good one. I was intending to
write to you by this mail, giving considerable information about speculations
here, but it is now unnecessary — & I suppose all such evils will be
speedily corrected.
I have seen Gen. Banks but once, but by his invitation am to
meet him to-day or to-morrow, for the purpose of giving him all the information
in my possession. I shall endeavor to keep you promptly informed of everything
transpiring here. Gen. Banks' troops have arrived in large numbers. I do not
know whether all have come. It is not certainly known why Gen. Butler was
removed. Some say it is on account of demands of France — others that it is on
account of speculations — others that it is owing to representations of Admiral
Farragut.
I have learned that little more in regard to the Schooner “L.
L. Davis” which run into Pontchitoula. Gen. Butler believes that I am satisfied
that Col. Butler had nothing to do with it. I am not so satisfied. Gen. Butler
says he has ascertained that a prominent officer (I suspect he refers to Col.
French — Pro. Marshal) loaded the vessel in good faith for Matamoras and that
the captain ran away from him. I do not now know whether the evidence taken
down will be sent to Washington. 1 think 1 shall lay-the whole matter before
General Banks.
I want some money. Three hundred Dollars in gold, which I
brought with me, and a few hundred dollars since received by your order, have
been sufficient to pay my expenses but is now consumed. I transmit to-day an
official receipt for $25,000 legal tender notes, which have just arrived to pay
expenses of the office. About my own pay I wrote to you Oct. 10th. I shall not
pay myself out of the $25,000. for the fact is, I never really understood what
my compensation is.
SOURCE: Diary and correspondence of Salmon P. Chase, Annual
Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol.
2, p. 339-40
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