. . . I learn by the secession newspapers that I am to be relieved of this command. If that be so, might I ask that my successor be sent as early as possible, as my own health is not the strongest, and it would seem but fair that he should take some part in the yellow-fever season.
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administration of the State Department, the officer ordered to catch the thief, and who did catch him and convict him, was punished to a very much greater extent than the thief himself.
Again, and this I say with great pride and pleasure, I attended during my stay in New Orleans to the administration of justice, and decided all sorts of questions, civil and criminal.
As of course I could not have time to do that without assistance, I appointed Maj. Joseph Bell, of Massachusetts, A. D. C., a son-in-law and partner.
of the Hon. Rufus Choate, of Boston, to be my provost judge1 to aid me in these judicial duties.
Very able, fair-minded, clear-headed and of great legal knowledge was he, and of so great merit that when I was relieved and he went home with me, the Bar of New Orleans presented to him a valuable gift in compliment and recognition of his services to them as a jurist.
During his absence from New Orleans for some months, because of sickness, I appointed Lieut.-Col. J. B. Kinsman, A. D. C., to fill his place, from whose decisions no appeals were taken.
There was an appeal to me in case anybody was dissatisfied with Major Bell's decisions, and we decided cases of very large amounts and of every possible description in judicial administration.
After the declaration of peace and amnesty, our proceedings in various forms were brought before the Supreme Court of the United States, and argued with great earnestness and learning.
In every case save one they were decided as Bell or my elf had decided them.
That case was an appeal to the general; and his decision was sustained.
This applies to every act of my administration which could be brought before the Supreme Court, and in no case were my actions set aside.
I had heard, from various sources about the streets of New Orleans, that I was to be removed and another general sent in my place.
On the 1st of September, I wrote to General Halleck a communication from which I make the following extract:--
1 The title, Provost Judge, describes an officer of a general's staff appointed by him to investigate and decide all complaints and other matters which the general would be called upon to investigate He gets his title from the old Norman French provostre, for yourself, i. e., instead of the general.
A. M. Thayer and Co. 1892.
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