Telegram from President Andrew Johnson to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey; August 30, 1865

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Telegram from President Andrew Johnson to Mississippi Governor William L. Sharkey; August 30, 1865

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People

Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875 Schurz, Carl, 1829–1906 Sharkey, William Lewis, 1798-1873 Slocum, Henry Warner, 1826-1894 Washington, George, 1732-1799

Events

Political Office--Appointment to office

Military Units

Mississippi. Militia United States. Army

Organizations

Mississippi--Legislature Telegraph Company Telegraph Company--United States Military Telegraph Office (Washington, D.C.)United States--Congress White House (Washington, D.C.)

Occupations

United States. President

Places

Louisiana--Orleans Parish. New Orleans Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson Mississippi--Warren County. Vicksburg Washington (D.C.)

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United States Military Telegraph.

The following Telegram received at ~~New Orleans,~~ Jackson M. Aug 30 1865

From Executive Mansion M.
Posted, Washington City Aug 30 1865

His Exc'y W L Sharkey.
Gov^r. of Missⁱ.

The following dispatch was Sent to Gen^l. Schurz by the Prest. and by his direction this Copy is furnished you.

"Washington D. C. Aug 30 1865.

Majr Gen^l. Carl Shurz, "Vicksburg"

I presume Gen^l. Slocum will ~~not~~ issue no order interfering with Gov^r. Sharkey in restoring the function of the State Gov^t. without first Consulting the Government, giving the reasons for Such proposed interference. It is believed there Can be organized in each Co a force of Citizens, of Militia to Suppress Crime, preserve order, and enforce the Civil authority of the State and of the United States, which would enable the federal gov^t. to reduce the Army and withdraw to a great extent, the forces from

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the States, thereby reducing the enormous expenses of the Gov^t.

If there was any danger from an organization of the Citizens for the purpose indicated, the Military are there to detect, and Suppress, on the first appearance, any move insurrectionary in its character.

One great object is to induce the people to Come forward in the defence of the State and federal gov^t.

Gen^l. Washington, declared, that "the people, or the Militia, was the Army of the Constitution, or the Army of the U. S.," and as soon as it is practicable the original design of the Gov^t. must be resumed, ~~and~~under the principle of the great Chart of freedom, handed down to the people, by the founder of the republic. The people must be trusted with their gov^t., and if trusted my opinion is that they will act in good faith and restore their former Constitutional relations with all the State composing the Union.

The main object of Majr Gen^l. Carl Shurz mission to the South was to aid as far as practicable in Carrying out the policy adopted by the Gov^t.; it is hoped such aid has been given. The proclamation authorizing restoration of State Gov^t. requires, the Military to aid the Provisional Gov^r. in the performance of his duties, as proscribed in the proclamation and in no manner to interfere, or throw impediments in the way of Consumating the objects of his appointment,—At least without advising the Government of the intended interference

(Signed) Andrew Johnston
Prest. U. S.