WASHINGTON, D. C., May 21, 1865. To J. S. Walton, Treasurer, City of New Orleans: SIR: I hereby notify you as Treasurer of the city of New Orleans, not to pay at the peril of your securities any warrant drawn upon you for pay of individuals, material for public uses or other purposes whatsoever that may have been made or authorized by Col. S. M. Quincy, a colonel of a colored regiment of United States volunteer troops, or any other person acting or pretending to act under the appointment of Major-General Banks, Commanding General Department of the Gulf, as said General Banks acted contrary to law, and his proceedings are disapproved by the President of the United States, in suspending the civil authorities of the city of New Orleans and overthrowing the laws and ordinances instituted for its good government.

I have the honor to be, sir,

(Signed)

Your obedient servant,

J. MADISON WELLS,

Governor.

To a greater length could testimony be extended, but enough has been written to show that never was reposed confidence more betrayed than the nation's trust in the successor of Abraham Lincoln,

CHAPTER XX.

GENERAL BANKS DISPLACED BY GENERAL CANBY.

June 4th, 1865, General Banks was removed from the Gulf Department and General Canby resumed command of the same. The acts of a Nero never created a greater consternation among his subjects than did the following order in the loyal ranks of New Orleans, who saw in it only the hand of Governor Wells and his advisers, Hugh Kennedy and Glendy Burke:

HEADQUARTERS }

NEW ORLEANS, La., June 8, 1865.

Special Orders, No. 152.

17. Mr. Hugh Kennedy is appointed Acting Mayor of the city of New Orleans.

Col. Samuel M. Quincy, 73d U. S. Colored Infantry, is relieved from duty as Acting Mayor, and will rejoin his regiment. He will turn over to Mr. G. Burke, who is authorized to act until the arrival of the Acting Mayor, the duties of the office in which he is now acting. By order of Major-General E., R. S. Canby, C. H. DYER, Capt. and Asst.-Adj.-Gen. In league with the Chief Magistrate, with an armed police force at his command, and with the Nero qualifications of Glendy Burke to lead in municipal affairs

until the arrival of “Lord” Hugh Kennedy, Governor Wells was prepared to instigate the hidden policy of the ruler who swayed his iron scepter over the poor oppressed people from the throne he had erected to the cause of the rebellion in the Capital of our Republic.

Loyalty in New Orleans was made odious; liberty was disgraced, and Union leaders and reformers were marked for rebel vengeance. Oppression and indignity was the fate of all who dared to resist the unjust decree of despots and tyrants.

To the proud spirit, patriotic heart, and iron will of Dostie this despotism was keen agony. Said a friend: "I went to Dostie's office to consult with him upon the strange state of affairs in the city. I found him in an agitated state of mind. I suggested that had Hahn remained Governor, things might have been differently conducted, and reflected upon Hahn's statesmanship in resigning his office. In his decided manner he remarked, 'Governor Hahn is no prophet; when he resigned his office as Governor, he could not foresee the murder of Lincoln. He acted, as he thought, in favor of the interests of his State, expecting to labor in the United States Senate for Louisiana. President Johnson is no traitor, but he listens to the advice of corrupt men who throng the Executive Mansion. The acts and sayings of Johnson have been my study too long to doubt his honesty. When he appreciates the condition of Union men in Louisiana our rights will be protected.''

The finger of destiny plainly pointed to Dostie as the victim to be sacrificed to traitor hate and tyranny. His public acts and progressive movements made him a conspicuous mark for those who viewed with contempt his

labors for liberty and exertions to protect the down trodden and the laboring classes. A true reformer, he borc a name worthy to be placed by the side of a Wilberforce, Lovejoy, Cobden or a Bright. His noble standard of radical Unionism upon which not a blot had been discovered was in direct antagonism to the prejudices of the aristocrats and rebels by whom he was surrounded. Jealous of the growing popularity and influence of Dostie, his enemies had cherished their wrath to pour it upon the head of their victim. "The proud spirit of Dostie shall be crushed," said a coalition who had conspired to plot his distruction. Governor Wells was the leader of that faction which had determined upon the downfall and death of the patriotic Dostie. The first blow was struck on the 13th of June, 1865. It was the seizure of the Auditor's office. As one of the many high-handed acts of despotism connected with the establishment of the iron rule of the Slave power and thuggery in New Orleans during the administration of Johnson, we present the following account of the seizure of the Auditor's office from the True Delta of June 14:

"Few of our citizens are now unaware that the office of Dr. A. P. Dostie, State Auditor, was yesterday entered by a body of the city police, and the Auditor forcibly and summarily expelled. We give below a plain, simple statement of the facts in the case, without comment of any kind:

"Between 11 and 12 o'clock, several policemen, headed by the Acting Chief of Police, Mr. John Burke, and accompanied by Mr. Julian Neville, entered the Auditor's office. Approaching Dr. Dostie, Mr. Neville presented a paper, after glancing over which the Auditor

said, 'I shall probably be prepared to comply with this to-morrow morning.'

"Upon the Doctor refusing positively to vacate immediately, Mr. Neville turned to Lieut. Burke, and said: ‘I now turn this over to your hands,' and left the place. Mr. Burke then informed Dr. Dostie that he was 'in charge of the office;' to which the latter replied that 'this is a State office, and I am a State officer, and it will require force to dispossess me.' Mr. Burke replied: 'My orders are to take possession, and I shall certainly do so.' Dr. Dostie asked if he had written orders. Burke said he had. Dr. Dostie asked, to see them, and they were shown him. He then asked for a copy, but Mr. Burke replied: "I have no orders to let a copy be taken.'

Mr.

"For a moment Dr. Dostie went to his private room, and returning, instructed Mr. Kruse-one of his clerks, to take charge of his private papers. He then again protested against the proceedings, and said he would be expelled only by force. In a loud tone of voice he then exclaimed, turning toward the latter gentleman, who was in the office on business: 'If I must go, I wish first to say a few words in presence of Mr. Kruse and Mr. Blake,

"Here he was interrupted by Mr. Burke, who addressed one of his subordinates, as follows: 'Bhome, put the Doctor out!' The policeman advanced and seized Dr. Dostie by the shoulders, with the remark: 'I can handle you like a book.' The Doctor, seeing further resistance useless, thereupon left the office.

"The police remained in possesion of the office, retaining the private letters and papers of the Auditor