Ruined by This Miserable War: The Dispatches of Charles Prosper Fauconnet, a French Diplomat in New Orleans, 1863–1868

4. 1868

ChaPter 4 1868 the “Mexican empire” June 17, 1868 I have the honor of transmitting to Your Excellency some newspaper clippings concerning Mexican affairs. Anarchy is now more than ever the order of the day there, and that unfortunate country, to which France had extended a helping hand, now seems to be atoning for the crime of Querétaro.1 Everywhere, revolt deploys its flag against the Juarez government, and it is unknown whether the names to be inscribed upon it will be Ortega, Santa Cruz, or even a regent as it [the revolt] unites them in their efforts to overthrow a common enemy. . . . And what will be result of all this? Either Juarez remains in power, or he succumbs. [But] one thing [will remain constant]: chaos will continue to reign supreme until the United States believes that the time has finally come to take over that hapless nation either through annexation or conquest. unionist/radical Political activity June 12, 1868 The general commanding the fifth military district just issued an order on the second of this month to complete a list of the civilian officers selected in Louisiana’s election of last April 17–18. However, he indicated that these officials will take office on the first Monday in November. By the same order, he adjourned the legislature until such time that it receives official notice from Congress that it has accepted the new state constitution. Two days following promulgation of this order, one Mr. Packard, self-styled president of a certain bureau or committee created by the convention before its adjournment, in turn issued a proclamation in which he fixed the fifteenth of this month as the date of the inauguration of the elected officers and the twenty-second as the start of the legislative session. In mounting this challenge to the military authorities, Mr. Packard bases it on: the DIsPatChes of CharLes ProsPer fauConnet 168 1) That the committee, over which he presides, received from the convention all of the powers necessary to implement all of its acts, decrees, and orders; 2) The fact that the new constitution, which states that the officers’ term of office cannot be delayed past the first Monday in November, nevertheless set the second Monday following publication of the electoral returns as the date for their installation. 3) The fact that, according to the same constitution, the legislature must convene and enter into session on the third Monday following said publication, in order to vote on adoption of an amendment to the United States Constitution known as Article 14. The upshot of this defiance of authority was what it should have been: the arrest of Packard and the members of the committee, who, for their part, were quick to endorse his proclamation. Without attempting here to determine whether the general or the committee interpreted the constitution better, it is indisputable that the constitution is a mere proposal until it is adopted by Congress, and the district commander is the sole representative of this [Congressional] authority. Mr. Packard knows this fact perfectly well, but, certain of being supported by the party he represents , he committed this act with the thought of serving the interests of this Stephen Packard. From Daily Graphic, Sept. 25, 1874. 1868 169 party, which needs incidents of this type to move [through Congress] the many Reconstruction laws that it constantly recasts and modifies pursuant to the needs of its cause. The audacity of his action was nevertheless justified: Through a telegram received [here] the day after his arrest and that of his colleagues, General Grant hastened to require his subordinate to release them and to issue a stay of prosecution . This was done on the ground that Congress has presently before it a bill regarding the reconstruction of the Southern states. Under the terms of this new act, Congress would authorize the convening of the legislatures in each Southern state—Louisiana, Alabama, etc.—either on the day designated by the new constitutions of these states, or by proclamation of the officer designated by the most recent convention to convene said legislatures. But, if the date is already thirty days past passage of the act, [it will be] at the governor’s discretion.2 It declares moreover that when the said states have been permitted representation in Congress, the executive and judicial officers, duly elected and qualified under the constitution of [their respective] state[s], may be inaugurated...