Memorandum of conversation between Mr. Mercier and Mr. Seward.
Mr. Mercier called upon Mr. Seward informally, to speak of some irritation among the consuls at New Orleans, resulting from irregularities and severities reported to have been practiced by Major General Butler towards them on the occasion of his taking military possession of that city. Mr. Mercier said that he had not called now to present any complaint on the part of the French consul, and explanations which had been already made by General Butler perhaps would relieve him of any necessity for doing so.
Mr. Seward said that he had seen newspaper reports of the occurrences at [Page 424] New Orleans, but as yet had received nothing official, either from any representative of any foreign government or from the War Department. But he had had no hesitation about interposing in the matter at once.
Yesterday, after a brief conversation with Lord Lyons, when the subject was first brought to his notice, he had procured orders from the Secretary of War to Major General Butler, directing him to refrain from practicing any severities or strictness of doubtful right towards any consul or subject of any foreign power; which orders had been already transmitted.
To-day it had been decided to devolve the civil government of New Orleans upon a provisional military governor, who would proceed with the utmost despatch to New Orleans and relieve General Butler of civil administration there.
Mr. Seward said that he had already appointed a commissioner for the State Department, of distinguished ability and character, to proceed to New Orleans as speedily as possible, and inquire and take evidence of the transactions which have occurred there, in which any complaint of violation of consular rights, privileges, and courtesies has arisen under the administration of General Butler, to redress any such clear violation which he may ascertain to have occurred, by making restitution, and in every other case to make full report to the Secretary of State for his decision thereupon.