792 lasts. The merchant navy consisted, in 1863, of 3,236 vessels, together of 86,404 lasts. In the Norwegian budget, for the period from 1866 to 1869, the annual revenue and expenditures are each fixed at 4,770,000 (Norwegian) dollars. The public debt, in 1865, amounted to 8,240,700 dollars. The army, on the peace footing, numbers 12,000, and on the war-footing 18,000. The landwehr is to be exclusively used for the defence of the country. The inports in 1865 were valued at 18,271,987, and the exports at 13,581,695 thalers. The number of vessels entering Norwegian ports, in 1865, was 12,451, together of 674,647 lasts; the number of clearances 12,271, together of 648,080 lasts. The merchant navy, in 1865, numbered 5,407 vessels, together of 352,949 lasts.

SWITZERLAND, a Federal Republic in Europe. Area, 15,933 square miles; population, in 1860, 2,510,494. President of the Federal Council (the executive consisting of seven members), for the year 1867, Constantin Fornerod, of Vaud; Vice-President, Dr. Jacob Dubs, of Zurich. The President resigned in October, 1867, in order to take the chairmanship of the Swiss Credit Mobilier at Geneva, when the Vice-President took his place. Minister resident of the United States in Switzerland, George Harrington, appointed in 1865. The expenditures of the Confederation, in 1866, were 21,552,495 francs; the receipts, 20,103,283 francs; deficit, 1,449,212 francs. For the budget for 1867, the expenditures were estimated at 25,485,000 francs; the receipts at

20,263,000 francs, and the deficit at 5,222,000 francs. The federal army comprises: 1. Regular army (“Bundesauszug "), consisting of the men from twenty to thirty years old, at the rate of 3 per cent. of the population. 2. The reserve, consisting of men who have served in the regular army, from thirty to forty years old, at the rate of 11 per cent. of the population. 3. The landwehr, consisting of all men able to carry arms, and aged less than forty-four years, who serve neither in the regular army nor in the reserve. In December, 1866, the regular army numbered 87,537 men; the reserve, 49,513; the landwehr, 66,955; total, 264,005.

In December the Swiss Federal Assembly elected Vice-President Dubs to be the President for 1868, and Councillor Weld to be Vice-President. M. Ruffy, of the Canton of Vaud, was elected the seventh member of the Federal Council in the place of M. Fornerod.

An important resolution was passed in December by the Grand Council of Berne. It decided, by one hundred and twenty-eight votes against seventy-five, that experience having shown the incompatibility of the observance of the legal dispositions concerning instruction with the absolute obedience which the members of religious orders owe to their superiors, no person belonging to any of those orders shall henceforth be admitted to the educational staff. All such teachers, attached to primary public schools, will be considered as having resigned. The adoption of this resolution produced a great excitement in the Catholic districts of the canton.

Tennessee has been declared by proclamation of the President of the United States to be no longer in re

bellion, and that the laws can be enforced therein by

proper civil authority, and the orders to me as milicommander of this department are in accordance with said proclamation.

The troops under my command are available for assistance to the civil authorities in enforcing the laws and preserving order, and upon the application of your excellency a sufficient force for that purpose will be sent to any locality in the State of Tennessee that may be designated, but the troops will act as aids only to the properly constituted civil authorities, and tary orders. not assume control of the citizens by virtue of mili

With any such application as your excellency may make, it is requested that the nature of the disorder requiring the force may be stated, and the authorities to whom the troops are to report inay be particularly designated. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEORGE H. THOMAS, Major-General U. S. A., commanding. The Governor had already begun to organize a militia under the name of the State Guards, of which he retained the chief command in his own hands. The following passages are taken from his General Orders, No. 1:

HEADQUARTERS TENNESSEE STATE GUARDS,
NASHVILLE, March 6, 1867.

1. Captains of companies, to whom commissions have been forwarded, together with a copy of this order, are authorized to enlist for a period of three years, unless sooner discharged, one hundred ablebodied men, who, when enrolled, shall proceed to elect their other officers, who shall be commissioned when the captain shall certify the same to me at these headquarters, each company in the service to be mustered as infantry.

2. As many as twenty-five in each company shall be mounted to act as scouts, etc., under the command of such officers as the captains from time to time may designate.

For drunkenness, and a wilful neglect of duty, the commander-in-chief reserves to himself the right to dismiss any officer from the service, the charge being previously sustained.

5. Captains or lieutenants commanding companies or squads will see, on all occasions, that no man's premises are trespassed upon; that no poultry or stock is taken or killed; that no fence-rails are destroyed; no timber cut down and used without a fair compensation being paid; and that no grain or forage be taken without the consent of the owner, and then at the market value. These rules must be observed. 6. Every officer and private, before entering the service, shall take and subscribe the following oath:

"I do solemnly swear that I have never voluntarily borne arms against the Government of the United States, for the purpose or with the intention of aiding the late rebellion; nor have I, with any such intention, at any time, given aid, comfort, counsel, or encouragement to said rebellion, or to any act of hostility to the Government of the United States. I further swear, that I have never sought or accepted any office, either civil or military, under the authority, or pretended authority, of the so-called Confederate States of America, or of any insurrectionary State, hostile or opposed to the United States Government, with the intent and desire to aid said rebellion; that I have never given a voluntary support to any such Government or authority. So help me God."

A subsequent order delegates the command of this force to General Jos. A. Cooper. In

this order he says:

2. There are now twelve companies ready for the service; and, although I find no trouble in raising companies, there will not be called into service more than twelve or fourteen companies, all told, unless the rebellious conduct of the people shall make it necessary to increase the force.

3. The length of time that this small force of State militia will be continued in the service depends entirely upon the conduct of the people. The indica

tions are that we are to have disturbances at different points, prompted by bad and rebellious men; but in this, I hope, for the sake of the country, that I may be disappointed.

A new franchise law was enacted in February, which abolished all distinction on account of race or color in the qualification required of electors, but an attempt to admit colored persons to the privilege of sitting on juries was unsuccessful. Further disabilities, with regard to the exercise of the franchise, were imposed upon persons who had participated in any insurrectionary movements, either within the State or beyond its limits. The power of appointing commissioners of registration was given to the Governor, who was also invested with the authority to set aside the registration in any county where he was satisfied that any fraud or irregularity had been

employed in making such registration. With regard to the appointment of judges of elections, the former law provided that those offcials should be chosen for each voting precinct by the County Court, at the session next preceding the day of election; and, in case the Court failed to appoint, or any person appointed refused to serve, "the sheriff, with the advice of three justices, or, if none be present, three respectable freeholders, shall, before the beginning of the election, appoint said inspect ors or judges." The provision of the new law on this point is contained in the following section:

SEO. 10. Be it further enacted, That in case any County Court shall fail or refuse to induct into office any of the officers elected under this act, it shall be lawful for the commissioner of registration, upon orders from the Governor, to perform that duty, and to administer all necessary oaths, and to take and approve all necessary official bonds, and the same shall be good and valid in law. The judges and clerks of all elections shall hereafter be selected and appointed by the commissioner of registration in each county in the same manner, and governed by the same rules and laws heretofore provided by law, conferring the said selection and appointments by sheriffs.

A case was brought in the Supreme Court of the State to test the constitutionality of this franchise law, and a decision was rendered on the 21st of March sustaining its validity. The case was carried by appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States.

The election, at which a Governor and other State officers were to be chosen, occurred on the 1st of August. The nominating convention of the Republicans was held on the 22d of February, and decided that Wm. G. Brownlow was the choice of the party for Governor. A

body of resolutions was adopted, setting forth the principles of the Republicans of Tennessee, approving of the past administration of Governor Brownlow, and sustaining the action of the The convention declared Federal Congress. that the people of Tennessee looked upon General Geo. H. Thomas as their adopted son, the savior of their State capital from the hands of traitors, and as the man who never made a mistake, and never lost a battle; and therefore it was Resolved, That he is the choice of Tennessee for the next President of the United States."

66

The Conservative Convention met at Nashville on the 16th of April, and nominated Emerson Etheridge for Governor. The following is the platform adopted:

We, the Conservative Union men of Tennessee, adopt the following platform of principles:

1. We are in favor of the Union of the States, under the Constitution of the United States, and we pledge ourselves to support and defend the same. believe that these great objects can be best promoted 2. We are the friends of peace and civil law, and by legislation recognizing equal and exact justice to all, exclusive privileges to none.

3. We are in favor of the immediate restoration of our disfranchised fellow-citizens to all rights, privi

leges, and immunities of full and complete citizu

ship.

4. That our colored fellow-citizens, being now citi

zens of the United States, and citizens of the State of Tennessee, and voters of this State, are entitled to all the rights and privileges of citizens under the laws and Constitution of the United States, and of the State of Tennessee.

5. We are opposed to the repudiation of the national debt, and are in favor of equal taxation as the proper method of paying the same.

6. That the establishment of a standing army in our State, in time of peace, is a flagrant and dangerous encroachment upon the rights and liberties of the citizens, heavily oppressive to the tax-payer, and evidently designed to overawe voters at the ballot-box.

7. We cordially approve of the patriotic efforts of Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, in defending the Constitution, preserving the Union of the States, and maintaining the supremacy of the

laws.

Resolved, That we do not desire to be an element of discord in the community in which we live; that to seek to unite the colored race against the white, or

the poor against the rich, would only bring trouble; that we believe the common good of both depends on the spirit of harmony and justice of each toward the other.

Resolved, That, believing the spirit and tendencies of radicalism are unfavorable to these aims, we take our stand with the true Union Conservatives of Tennessee, and invite our race throughout the State to do the same.

Resolved, That our right to vote involves the right to hold office, and that its denial is unjust, and that our interests and rights as free men require also that we should have the right to sit upon juries.

There was also a Radical convention of freedmen, which indorsed the platform of the Republicans of the State, and declared itself in favor of Brownlow for the next Governor of Tennes

see.

At the opening of the political campaign, the following correspondence passed between a citizen of the State and Governor Brownlow:

GREENVILLE, May 9, 1867. Governor Wm. G. Brownlow: DEAR SIR: After my respects to you, and knowing you to be frank upon all subjects of a public character, I now, in the spirit of true kindness and due respect, ask you if Conservative men can or will be permitted to canvass the various districts of Tennessee in an orderly manner, without being overawed or intimidated by the State troops.

Very respectfully,

Rev. J. P. Holtsinger:

JOHN P. HOLTSINGER.

KNOXVILLE, May 10, 1867.

In reply to your favor of the 9th inst., I respectfully refer you to my circular of the 8th inst., and to the platform of the Republican Union party, adopted the 22d of February. You will there learn that the largest liberty in debate, with the right to discuss public men and measures, is claimed for speakers of all parties. And however severe the speakers may be, no State Guards will be allowed to interrupt them, or will be upheld in doing so. The State Guards will protect colored men in their right to vote, and clerks and judges of elections in carrying out the provisions of the franchise law. And if bad men, from disloyal

motives, shall venture to deliver incendiary speeches, and advise the overthrow of the State government by mob violence, I should think the State Guards and loyal citizens greatly at fault to tolerate such men.

As the Executive of the State, I have no authority to prevent "Conservative men" from canvassing the State, and, if I had, I have no such disposition. I have the honor to be, etc.,

W. G. BROWNLOW, Governor.

There was a difference of opinion as to the proper interpretation of the 10th section of the franchise law quoted above, and the chairman of the Conservative State Central Committee issued the following address to the County

Courts of the State:

Do not fail to appoint judges in all the precincts at your July term. This is required to be done by the County Courts of each county, at the session next preceding the election day, which is the 1st day of August next. Code, Section 821. The law is not law is amended in the last franchise act, Section 10, changed on that subject. If this be neglected, as the page 31, the power devolves on the commissioner of registration. Some have erroneously supposed that the power has been taken from the County Court by

that act. It will be seen the commissioner is authoristing law could do so, and that was only in case the ized to appoint, in cases when the sheriff by the exCounty Court failed to attend to that duty, or the persons they appointed failed to act. See Code, Section 842. Whatever may have been intended, the act of the 25th of February, 1867, construed with said sections of the Code, admits of no other construction-it is certainly plain-too plain for controversy.

By order of the Central Committee:

JOHN C. GAUT, Chairman. This called forth a proclamation from Governor Brownlow, the preamble of which char. acterized the address as an "incendiary docunent," issued by the "partisan chairman of a political committee," a "seditious circular" recommending the nullification of the franchise law; and declared that a "false and rebellious construction has been given to the law, by the audacious authors of the aforesaid treasonable circular, evidently for wicked and revolutionary purposes." The body of the proclamation was in these words:

Now, therefore, I, William G. Brownlow, Governor of the State of Tennessee, by virtue of authority conferred upon me, and in discharge of the duties imposed upon me by law, do hereby give notice that the franchise law was clearly and unquestionably framed so as to take the appointment of judges and clerks of election from the County Courts and sheriff's, giving the same to the commissioners of registration; therefore, the election returns made by said commissioners will alone be recognized at the State Department. I warn all County Courts in the State not to act upon the advice of this committee of seditionists, as they will lay themselves liable to be punished; and I warn all judges and clerks of elections, whom they may appoint, not to attempt to serve, as they would come in conflict with the lawfully constituted judges and clerks of elections. And if it be the purpose to provoke sedition and violence in a wicked attempt to overthrow the State government, upon their head shall rest the consequences.

General Joseph A. Cooper, in command of the State Guards, is hereby instructed so to dispose of the troops in the rebellious localities, as to enable him to enforce the franchise law in its letter and spirit, without regard to the threats of the seditionists. Order must be maintained, and the law executed, if

it require that I shall call into the field the whole available force at my command to do so.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused the Great Seal of the State [L. S.] to be affixed, at the department in Nashville, this 1st day of July, A. D. 1867.

By the Governor:

W. G. BROWNLOW. A. J. FLETCHER, Secretary of State. On the 4th of July Mr. Gaut published a defence of his interpretation of the law, but concluded with the following suggestion:

While the committee regard the recent proclamation of Governor Brownlow as extraordinary and without a parallel in history, and in clear violation of the laws of the land, and intended to incite his militia and partisans to acts of lawless violence and bloodshed, yet to avoid strife and conflict, and for the repose of society, and it may be to save life and the effusion of blood, the committee beg leave to suggest to the people of the State, to the County Courts, and the judges appointed by them, to forbear the exercise of what we believe to be a clear and unquestionable right; and let the judges appointed by the commissioner of registration hold the election on the first Thursday in August next.

A few days after this, the Governor's proclamation appeared, directing the commissioners of registration to appoint the judges and clerks of elections, and the sheriffs, to hold the election on the first Thursday in August. He concludes by ordering the commanders of the State Guards to arrest Judge Gaut or any member or agent of the Conservative Central Committee who should persist in the efforts to defeat the execution of the franchise law, as construed in his proclamation of July 1st, and to break up and disperse all assemblies collected for the purpose of holding illegal elections or interfering with those regularly called and conducted.

Bitter complaints were made in several counties with regard to the treatment received by citizens at the hands of the militia. Meetings were held in several towns for the purpose of protesting against the conduct of these soldiers. In Franklin County, on the 27th of May, a man by the name of James Brown was taken from his house and shot by some men belonging to the militia; and at a public meeting held a few days after, a petition was drawn up, addressed to the President of the United States, entreating that this "lawless band" might be removed. There were other charges of criminal outrages against these troops, but they were kept on foot until after the election, when all but five companies were disbanded.

In the mean time an excited political canvass was going on throughout the State, and popular disturbances at the mass-meetings were frequent; in some cases public speakers were fired upon, and disorders ensued which resulted in bloodshed. In July there was a collision between the members of a colored "Union League" in the town of Franklin, who were parading on occasion of a Republican massmeeting, and other citizens of that place, which resulted in a promiscuous firing of guns in the One man was killed, and upward of forty were wounded. A detachment of troops

street.

was sent to the locality at once, and no serious attempt was made to renew the disturbance.

The position and intentions of the United States military commander, with regard to the approaching election, may be seen by the fol lowing letters of instruction issued to the district commander at Nashville:

HEADQUARTERS DEP'T OF THE CUMBERLAND,
OFFICE OF ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL
LOUISVILLE, KY., July 16, 1867.

Brevet Brigadier-General Thomas Duncan, commanding District of Nashville, Nashville, Tennessee : GENERAL: As there is some doubt in the minds of officers commanding posts and detachments in the State of Tennessee, as to their duties in reference to the approaching election, the major-general commanding directs me to furnish you with the following instructions on the subject:

It is not the duty of officers commanding troops to see to the enforcing of the laws of Tennessee except when called upon by the proper civil authorities. În the matter of enforcing the franchise law,' upon which in a great measure depends the result of the election in Tennessee, the troops should not approach the polls, or in any way interfere with the election, except upon orders from these headquarters, issued upon application of the Governor, mayor of a city, or other civil officers, to General Thomas. The officers in command will, however, at all times, assume the right, and consider it their duty, to suppress riot and prevent bloodshed when in their power. election day, and at political meetings, than at other As there will probably be more danger of riots on times, it would be well that the troops be kept in hand at their quarters on such days for the two rea sons, that there may be no charges against them of interference with the election or political affairs, and that they may be in readiness to suppress riot.

Whenever the troops do move to the assistance of the civil authorities, it should be for the purpose of seeing that no persons interfere with the officers of the law to prevent them from the proper exercise of their offices, and not for the purpose of making arrests; neither will officers in command allow themselves to be made the custodians of prisoners after arrest, except when the civil officers making the arrest declare themselves unable to retain the prisoners in custody; when the officer in command of the troops will take measures to prevent their escape for a short time while the civil authorities make preparations to secure them.

Should there be reasons why the military should, in the opinion of the commanding officer of the time than that contemplated in these instructions, troops, retain custody of the prisoners for a longer the case will be reported through the proper channel to these headquarters and instructions asked. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) WM. D. WHIPPLE, Brevet Major-General U. S. A., Assistant Adjutant

General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPT OF THE CUMBERLAND, | OFFICE OF ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, LOUISVILLE, KY., July 19, 1867. Brevet Brigadier-General Thomas Duncan, commanding District of Nashville, Nashville, Tennessee:

GENERAL: In addition to the instructions contained

in letter from these headquarters, of 16th inst., the major-general commanding the department directs me to add that you will consider the militia of the State of Tennessee, called out under the act of the Legislature passed last winter, as among the regularly constituted authorities of the State.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) WM. D. WHIPPLE, Brevet Major-General U. S. A., Assistant Adjutant

General.

The registration was effected without serious interruption. Governor Brownlow exercised the authority vested in him, and in some cases removed the officers of registration and appointed others, and wholly set aside the registration made in Warren County, and ordered a new one under different registrars.

The election passed off without disturbance, and resulted in the reelection of W. G. Brown low by a majority of 51,936. The whole vote cast was 97,032; for Brownlow, 74,484; for Etheridge, 22,548. The entire delegation of members of the Lower House of Congress was elected by the Republicans. This was the first general election at which the newly-enfranchised freedmen had ever voted, and they showed a great degree of alacrity in obtaining certificates of registration, and in exercising the right secured thereby.

Governor Brownlow held that his interpretation of the franchise law, which invested the Commissioners of Registration with the duty of appointing the judges and clerks of election, applied as well to municipal elections as to that for State officers. The municipal authorities of the city of Nashville took a different view of the matter, and made arrangements for conducting their election, which was to occur on the 28th of September, according to the provisions of their city charter, which gave the appointment of judges of election to the Board of Aldermen. After the publication of the usual advertisements by the city authorities, and the appointment of judges and clerks by the aldermen, Governor Brownlow issued a proclamation in which he announced that the commissioner of registration for Davidson County was the proper person to appoint judges and clerks of election for the city of Nashville, and that he would perform that duty. General Cooper was directed to take measures at once to preserve the peace and protect the judges of election in the discharge of their duties. This document was followed by a proclamation from W. Matt Brown, mayor of Nashville, in which that officer declared that the election would be held as previously ordered, notwithstanding the interpretation of the franchise law announced by the Governor. The mayor admitted the validity of the law, and did not question the position that it gave the appointment of election judges to the commissioner of registration, but denied that it had any application whatever to the choosing of the municipal officers of the city corporations. He declared it to be the fixed resolve of the corporate authorities of Nashville to exercise all possible, discretion, moderation, and forbearance; to make manifest in their whole demeanor the proper respect which they feel for the Constitution and laws of the United States, and the constitution and laws of Tennessee, but expressed no intention of yielding what they regarded as an important right of the city. Both boards of election officers were appointed, an extra force of police was sworn

in, and General Cooper was actively engaged in concentrating troops at Nashville. A collision seemed imminent, which would result in serious disorder and riot. General Duncan, commanding the Nashville District, reported this state of things to General Thomas, and requested instructions with regard to his own duty in case of the collision which he seriously apprehended. General Thomas instructed the district commander, if called upon, to render all assistance necessary to his Excellency Governor Brownlow in enforcing the laws and preserving the peace. "Governor Brownlow," he said, "is Chief Magistrate of the State, and has announced by proclamation his construction of the law. If he needs military force to assist him in enforcing it, you will render him all the assistance in your power." General Thomas then applied to General Grant for instructions with regard to his future conduct.

In the mean time the city authorities had applied to the President of the United States for protection, and on the morning of the 25th of September General Thomas received the following by telegraph from Washington:

WASHINGTON, D, C., September 24–3.30 P. M. To Major-General George H. Thomas: The mayor, city attorney, and president of the collision at the time of the charter election on the Common Council of Nashville express great fear of a 28th. Go to Nashville to-morrow, and remain until after the election, to preserve peace. If you think more troops necessary for that purpose, order them there from the most convenient points in your command. The military cannot set up to be the judge as to which set of election judges have the right to control, but must confine their action to putting down hostile mobs. It is hoped, however, by seeing the Governor and city officials here referred to, your presence and advice may prevent disturbance. Please keep me advised of the condition of affairs.

U. S. GRANT, General.

Thereupon General Thomas communicated by telegraph a brief statement of the conflict between Governor Brownlow and Mayor Brown, and requested specific instructions in the premises. He then proceeded at once to Nashville.

On the following day the subjoined communications passed between Nashville and Washington, in telegraphic cipher:

NASHVILLE, TENN., September 26, 1867. To General U. S. Grant, Washington, D. C.:

If both parties persist in holding their election, there will be great danger of collision. In such contingency am I to interfere and allow both elections to go on, or are my duties simply to prevent mobs from aiding either party? GEORGE H. THOMAS, Major-General, United States Army. General Grant replied as follows: To Major-General George H. Thomas:

I neither instruct you to sustain the Governor nor mayor, but to prevent conflict. The Governor is the only authority that can legally demand the aid of the United States troops, and that must be by proclamation declaring invasion or insurrection exists beyond the control of other means at his hands. It is hoped your presence and good judgment and advice will prevent conflict. "U. S. GRANT, General. General Thomas replied as follows: