Abraham Lincoln Authorized the Largest Mass Execution in US History December 26, 2010

Largest Mass Execution in US History Was Authorized by Abraham Lincoln and it had little to do with the Civil War

On This Date in History: The conflict between the American Indians (aka Native Americans) and European (White) settlers goes back to the original landing of Europeans at Roanoke Island and Jamestown. Just about every time the Indians tried to flip a deal, that deal was broken, most often by the Whites. Sometimes it was by design. Other times, it was not from a formal governmental policy but instead from the fact that White settlers just ignored the treaties. When the British won the French and Indian War, a policy was implemented that prohibited settlements west of the Appalachians. Settlers went into the Ohio Valley anyway. Whether it be British or later American governments, they either had no ability or no desire to enforce the treaties. Many times, it was a combination of government policy, government indifference and settler behaviour that resulted in the fracture of any given treaty. In the end, the result was the same: the Indians got screwed.

In 1851, the Dakota in what is now the northern plains states figured that their only chance for survival was to make peace. On July 23, 1851 the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux called for two bands of the Dakota to cede a big chunk of the southwestern part of the Minnesota Territory (including present day parts of South Dakota and Iowa) to the United States for $1.665 Million. A few months later, two more bands of Dakota gave up a big chunk of the southeastern part of the territory for $1.41 Million. That’s a lot of money today and was an enormous sum back then. Remember, Alaska was purchased for $7.2 Million and about 1/3 of the continental US was had for $15 Million with the Louisiana Purchase. The French and the Russians accepted a check from the US Treasury but the Indians were basically given a promise in the form of future payments and annuities. Hmmm….guess what happened?

White Refugees Escaping the Battles

The Dakota was removed from their lands to reservations but the payments were not as forthcoming. The US government decided it was best to disperse payments over time through Indian Agents. It’s hard for me to ascertain but it appears that those agents, more or less, sub-contracted out some of the work to traders. I believe that, as far as the government was concerned, payments were being made. But, the agents and traders tended to either pocket much of the money for themselves or use it for other purposes. Agents often used monies intended for the Indians to pay claims made against the Indians by White settlers. Over time, the poor guys on the reservations began to starve. As they say, the natives became restless. In 1857, a group of Dakota had an uprising that resulted in the deaths of 40 settlers in what was known as the “Spirit Lake Massacre.” A year later, the Indians tried to make nice by ceding part of their reservation lands to the settlers. That didn’t get them anything except a smaller reservation.

Harper's Weekly Somewhat Propagandized the Affair

By 1862, the Civil War was raging and the Dakota was starving. Confederate agitators were providing some supplies to the Indians and encouraging them to rise up. Johnny Reb wasn’t so much concerned with the plight of the Native Americans as much as they were hoping that they would cause such a problem that it would divert attention and resources from the Union War effort. In any event, I don’t think that the Dakota needed much encouragement. They were getting fed up and their families were starving. Rumors that the payments were not going to be made in gold due to the war really got them going. And the deceptions of the White men involved were numerous and had a long history. So, on August 18, 1862 they staged a huge uprising. Well, that’s what many histories call it. Ultimately, what the Indians were doing to leaving the reservation in search of food and if some Whites got in the way, well that was too bad. At least one group went to a settlers chicken coop and grabbed some eggs.

To make a long story short (er), the Indians were defeated and several hundred Indian males were captured.  They had military trials and were sentenced to death.  The trials weren’t exactly fair but it also wasn’t the total case for murder that some sources cite.  See, if the crimes of violence were indeed violations of the law, then punishment was justified.  BUT…the trials were considered to be part of a military commission and the commanders decided that the defendants therefore were not afforded counsel.  Then, the level of criminality suitable for the death sentence seems to have been pretty liberal.  If someone were to have been shown to have provided ammunition, or fired a single shot or done anything to help, the sentence was death.  And the evidence provided even for those types of charges was pretty thin in many cases.  No doubt, some of the accused had done acts of violence that resulted  in death of combatants or innocent victims.  But, the standards for trial would not have come close to passing muster in a modern courtroom; military or civil.  They took the word of some Indians and “half-breeds” who turned states evidence in return for lenient sentences, but they refused to consider testimony related to those who were said to have prevented murder and rape.  So, 303 men faced the gallows.

Lincoln's order authorizing the execution of 39 men

Well, President Lincoln had a dilemma.  If he allowed the executions, then European nations may take a dim view of the Union and in 1862 things weren’t going so well for the North and there was a real fear that France, England and Russia might come to support the South.  So, Lincoln made a compromise.  He reviewed some cases and determined that 39 executions could take place.  On this date in 1862, the largest mass hanging in US history took place when 38 Dakota Indians were hanged for their “crimes.”  One lucky soul at the last moment was given a reprieve by the military commander.  It’s a little known and sad episode in America and one that is often lost in the historiography of Abraham Lincoln.  It seems to contradict the notion as “Father Abraham” being the “Great Emancipator.”  In fact, it is somewhat ironic that Lincoln had already announced his Emancipation Proclamation that would take effect just 6 days after the execution of the Dakota.  But, it’s difficult to make judgements using present day sensibilities and try to transport them back to the 19th Century.  It was  different time.

 Also, Lincoln’s main objective was preserving the Union and so he probably didn’t take the time to review the situation as much as he might have otherwise.  But, the story itself is an interesting example in how the injustices done to the Native Americans of this nation seem to take a back seat to the injustices done to African-Americans or other minorities or immigrants.  Even today, as the Indians figured out how to take advantage of their status and open up Casinos beyond the reach of the IRS, state governments have tried to use courts to force them to break the treaties of the past and force them to pay taxes.  Some things don’t change…then again…some do because the courts of the late 20th century have told the state and federal governments that they cannot get their hands on the pocketbooks of the sovereign nation.  But, that’s little consolation for the 38 who swung at the end of the rope.

Weather Bottom Line:  The cold stretch is about to come to an end for awhile.  I see most forecasts call for temps to get to the 50′s as we head to the new year.  But, it will be interesting to see how it shakes out because I’ve seen some modeling data that wants to create a huge ridge that takes warm, moist gulf air all the way to the Great Lakes and Louisville pushing 70 degrees on New Years Day with a line of very strong storms approaching.  Hmmmm….probably wont be 70 but don’t be surprised to ring in the new year with some thunderstorms,which I suppose at this point is a nice break from rain.  I think we could do without the severe stuff though but we’ve had tornadoes in January in the past few years.  Not predicting that, but it’s not totally out of the question.  After that (I hate long-term forecasts) but it looks like we fall back to seasonal levels but nothing overly brutal temperature wise but again, i”m talking 10 days out and the models tend to trend toward climatology that far out so we’ll see.  Nevertheless, expect a thaw to end 2010.

The Exploits of Vice President Aaron Burr Seem A Work of Fiction July 11, 2010

There May Be a Good Reason Alexander Hamilton Got in So Many Duels

On This Date In History: In recent years, we have heard the “I” word tossed about rather liberally. That word is impeach.

President Andrew Johnson was impeached but was not convicted by one vote. President Clinton was impeached but also avoided removal from office as the Senate did not vote for conviction. Today, we haven’t heard of anyone calling for the impeachment of the current president or vice-president. Yet. Someone probably will before President Obama’s 4 years are up. There were certainly those who wanted to impeach President Bush and even Vice-President Cheney. These calls came from allegations of malfeasance. But on this date in 1804, there is no doubt about it…Aaron Burr,  Vice-President of the United States gunned down Revolutionary War hero Alexander Hamilton.  And guess what, he wasn’t impeached nor did he go to jail.

Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton had been an aide-de-camp of Washington during the war and later led a crucial attack at the Battle of Yorktown. He became the first Secretary of the Treasury and served in that capacity for 6 years before retiring. He then formed the Federalist Party, the first political party in America. He detested Thomas Jefferson and the two developed what became known as Hamiltonian ideals and Jeffersonian ideals. Basically, Hamilton wanted a strong central government and Jefferson was for a weak central government with most of the power belonging to the states. Today, Jefferson must be spinning in his grave.

Burr's 1807 Treason Trial

Anyway, in 1804, Burr was the sitting Vice-President under Jefferson and Hamilton had made some unsavory remarks about Burr, who demanded satisfaction and responded with a challenge to a duel! Hamilton had been famous for dueling but had ironically pushed to outlaw the practice in New York. So, Hamilton and Burr went across the river to New Jersey. On this date in 1804, two shots rang out in Weehawken, New Jersey. Hamilton lay mortally wounded. There is great speculation regarding the incident as many suggest that Hamilton missed on purpose as he was a veteran duelist and a good shot. But there were procedures if one was to desire to not shoot one’s opponent. Hamilton did not follow the procedures. Witnesses could not determine who fired first. But what did happen, is that Burr was forced to stay out of New York for the remainder of his term as murder charges were filed.  For most people, Aaron Burr is now left to nothing more as a footnote to history.   Alexander Hamilton, on the other hand, has lived in immortality as the face of the ten dollar bill.  While the duel is probably Burr’s most infamous act, his lesser known final act for history literally made him an enemy of the United States.

Jefferson and Burr At Odds Till the End

If you recall, Burr and Jefferson both had the same number of electoral votes for the 1800 presidential election. The tie went to the House of Representatives who voted for Jefferson only after Tom’s old nemesis, Alexander Hamilton, reluctantly went to bat for the famous statesman.   Hamilton must have really hated Burr for him to vote for Jefferson.  Help from his political rival made Jefferson the President and Burr the Vice-President.  The original Constitution had the second place electoral vote-getter become Vice-President. But that meant that political rivals had to be the team. That obviously created problems and the Constitution was changed. The problem became all too apparent when Burr, as the sitting Vice-President, took out his anger at Hamilton for his support of Jefferson, as well as other items of disagreement, by taking Hamilton to the dueling field.   Even though the murder charge was eventually dropped, the public turned on Burr for his duel and his political career was over in the United States.

Peter Charles Hoffer Wrote About Burr Treason Trials That Had Nothing To Do With the Duel With Hamilton

So, Burr secretly conspired with Britain and Spain to try and set up a new country in the Southwest of what is now the United States and part of Mexico. Of course, Burr would rule the new empire. But, the plot was foiled and Burr went to trial for Treason.  As part of his defense, he had Jefferson, still the sitting President, called to the trial to produce documents that would exonerate him.   On June 13, 1807, President Thomas Jefferson received a subpoena to testify at the treason trial of his former Vice-President, Aaron Burr.   In response to the subpoena, Jefferson cited his right to protect wing up at the trial and he only offered a few of the documents requested.  If Jefferson was trying to send Burr to the gallows it didn’t work because Chief Justice John Marshall declared that the charges were to be dropped due to lack of evidence. 

Tom Jefferson Depicted As Constitutional Destroyer

I’m not a legal historical scholar but I bet that Jefferson’s claim was the precedent for the presidential claim of Executive Priviledge.  Jefferson had also used his position as Commander in Chief to commit US armed forces halfway around the world for the undeclared Barbary Pirate War.  While those two roles of the president seem to pass constitutional muster,  Jefferson’s purchase of the Louisiana Territory and the funding of the Lewis and Clark expedition are seen by some as examples of how Jefferson the President acted perhaps differently than Jefferson the author of the Declaration of Independence.   So often today, when we hear charges that the President is shredding the Constitution, we hear the name of Jefferson invoked.  Yet, some of Jefferson’s opponents viewed him as the enemy of the Constitution as evidenced by the cartoon showing Jefferson offering the document to the alter of Satan while the eagle tries to grab it from his hand.   

Ukraine legislators sometimes operate like Americans did many years ago

The political battles that go on today may seem rough.  But, they pale in comparison to the political wars that went on almost from the beginning of the nation.  After all, it’s been a long time since we had a Senator pull a gun on another in the Senate chamber.  I don’t recall a Congressman almost beating a Senator to death while the Senator sat behind his Senate chamber desk nor a House member attacking another on the House Floor with a pair of fire tongs.  As President of the Senate, Vice President Martin Van Buren carried a side arm to keep the peace.  It’s been awhile since a sitting Vice-President gunned down the former Secretary of the Treasury and a long time since we had a former VP try to set up his own country.  But we have an a couple of impeachment trials of two presidents…oh…and then there was Vice-President Cheney who while Vice-President did in fact shoot his friend with a shotgun blast.

Weather  Bottom Line:  I”m not exactly sure of the mechanism that brought t’storms to the Southeast of Louisville on Saturday.  Snow White and I were out riding bikes and I told her that I was guessing that it was on the 850 boundary of the cold front that came through Friday.  I explained that they were probably elevated storms without much rain but with gusty winds and hail.  Well, I heard on the news that there was hail and gusty winds with the storms.  However, I saw the cold front analyzed way to the South.  So, its doubtful that it was the 850 front.  But, I also don’t buy the explanation of one guy who said it was an outflow boundary.   As I said, I was out riding bikes so I didn’t do an analysis.  It was something but I’m not sure what it was some sort of subtle feature.  Sunday should be warm and dry.  A cold front approaches on Monday and our rain chances will be elevated for at least the first half of next week.

Fire Bigger Threat than Flood for New Orleans? March 21, 2010

Fire Has Plagued New Orleans As Much As Floods

Note the areas along the Mississippi River, including the French Quarter, Did Not Flood in Katrina

On This Date in History:  Everyone knows that New Orleans is vulnerable to flooding.  The city is located in a very swampy region that is below sea level in several areas.  Oddly, the part of the city that is above sea-level and is less prone to high water is the oldest section, the French Quarter.  The reason is its location along the banks of the Mississippi River.  Over time, each time the river rose out of its banks, it deposited sediment and the banks slowly rose such that the highest elevation is found along the bank, particularly on the east side of the river where the river makes a bend from slightly northwest to slightly southwest.  This crescent shape is where the city gets the moniker “the crescent city.”  The higher elevation is precisely why the oldest part of the city is the least likely to flood because the French knew what they were doing when they established the city.   Flooding, therefore, may not be the biggest nemesis to the French Quarter.

Map of 1788 Fire in New Orleans

With buildings situated adjacent to one another and very few open spaces, fire is a big concern.  On Good Friday on March 21, 1788, a fire began in the home of Spanish Treasurer Don Vincente Nunez.  At the time, the Spanish were in control of the city.  In all likelihood, a cold front was approaching as the winds were rather blustery out of the southeast.  I would submit it was probably in advance of a warm front that preceded a cold front.  The fire at Nunez’s home began in the morning and the winds did nothing but increase as the day wore on, spreading embers quickly throughout the city.  Within hours, over 800 buildings had been burned to the ground.  Since there were only 1100 buildings in the city, that would be nearly 3/4 of the city including the town hall, rectory and church.  Governor Esteban Miro reported that there was “abject misery, sobbing and crying” and the faces of the citizenry  ”told the ruin of a city which in less than five hours has been transformed into an arid and horrible wilderness; the work of seventy years since its foundation.”  Miro did not have FEMA trailers but, much as they have done in Haiti following the recent earthquake, the governor set up tents to house the homeless. 

Ursuline Convent 1900-Spared by Divine Intervention in 1788

Now, the fire of 1788 began at 619 Chartres Street which is at the corner of Toulouse.  That would be less than a block from present day Jackson Square.  That would lead one to assume that the church was the St. Louis Cathedral.  The current structure is really the third Roman Catholic church at the site.  The first was built in 1718 and was little more than a crude wooden structure.  It was replaced in 1725 by a more sturdy,  brick building that was complete in 1727.  It was the brick structure that went up in flames on this date in 1788.  Rather surprisingly, it was the buildings along the waterfront that escaped the destruction.  Left in tact by the fire included the Customs House, the hospital, the Ursuline Convent, the Governor’s Building and several tobacco warehouses.   It is said that Providence intervened on behalf of the convent because, as the fire approached, the wind suddenly shifted directions.   Perhaps it was the warm front or cold front.  Either way, the convent was spared and it was claimed Divine intervention had taken place.  If that were the case, why was the church not spared?  Perhaps there was Divine intent on building a new church. 

St. Louis Cathedral 1794

Anyway,  the Spanish went to work quickly rebuilding the city.  This time, they did not build with wood but instead built structures with thick brick walls, courtyards and arcades.  In 1789, work was begun rebuilding the church and it was complete in 1794.  The new church was designated as the St. Louis Cathedral and was opened on Christmas Eve 1794.   This time, perhaps there was Divine intervention or maybe it was due to not as many wooden buildings.  But, just a couple of weeks before the church opened, another fire swept the city, this time burning over 200 buildings to the ground.  Once again the waterfront buildings were left unscathed as were the same Customs House, tobacco warehouses, Royal Hospital, Governors Building and Ursuline Convent as in 1788.  While the cathedral survived, as time went on it needed some sprucing up and expansion.   In 1849, a contract was made with a Irish builder to enlarge and rehabiliate the building.  But, some walls collapsed as did the central tower and it was determined that many of the walls had to be replaced.  Effectively, the restoration project became one of reconstruction.  Snow White and I attended Christmas Eve Mass at St. Lous Cathedral this past Christmas but the building we were in essentially was the building of 1850. 

Spanish Governor Built This Canal in 1795 that connected river to Lake Ponchartrain

I think that there were also two hurricanes that struck New Orleans in 1794.  So, from 1788, the Spanish had suffered from two major fires and at least two hurricanes and esstentially had to twice rebuild the city.  Maybe they were tired of having to deal with such problems so far from home.  Or, more to the point, they no longer had the ability to do so.  By 1800, the Spanish had given New Orleans back to Napoleon and the French.  But, Napoleon didn’t hold it too long either.  He too was running out of money fighting his wars in Europe and could no longer control the Western Hemispherice territories.  There was a big slave rebellion and yellow fever epidemic in Santo Domingo and he lost 40,000 troops as a result.   

A Good Deal, Even Though It Was Unauthorized

Thomas Jefferson had sent his minister to France, Robert Livingston to buy New Orleans for $2 million.  Napoleon didn’t play ball so Tom made James Monroe as a special envoy to Napoleon and upped the ante to $10 million.   Then Napoleon threw a curve and offered up all of the French territory in North America for $15 million.  Monroe and Livingston jumped at the deal before Napoleon could change his mind.  Needless to say, Jefferson was surprised to get a bill for 50% more than he authorized and for enough land to double the size of the United States.    In the end, it was a good deal and as time went on, Uncle Sam found out what the Spanish had learned long ago: New Orleans his highly vulnerable to disaster.  Hurricane Katrina was a not-s0-pleasant reminder.  You can rest assured, another reminder of the risks involved with the Big Easy will arise again.

This cute puppy looks like the dog I called a mutt. Open mouth, insert foot.

Weather Bottom Line:  Kelsey’s picnic went very well with Snow White making lots of new friends and informing people of the good work of the Shamrock Foundation.  She had some people commit to provide some financial support and others say that they would look into the Shamrock Foundation for pet adoption.  For my part, I managed to offend a woman when I asked if her dog was a mutt.  She informed me that it was a full blood blonde lab.  She didn’t say too much more to me, but we stood in silence enjoying the weather.  I had a lady bug land on me and think it was great fun to show everyone around me.  Then I felt a sting and decided the lady bug bit me.  I tried to shoo him away but his nose seemed stuck to my wrist.  It was as if he had his tongue or mouth attached to my arm and the pain increased.  I was then informed that it was some sort of beetle that only looks like a ladybug and, yes, it is known to bite.

Sunday Evening

I informed folks at Dog Hill that Saturday was the last day for several days to really enjoy the spring, even though it just started.  A cold front will approach, we get rain and t’storms on Sunday with highs hanging around the 60 degree mark.  Not too enthused for severe chances.  Then, more rain Sunday night with lingering rain on Monday.  The low is really a cut off guy on Monday and so it will linger around and I bet we don’t get out of the 40′s.  While its a cut off low, it will have enough momentum to move on and out.  Sunshine returns in spots enough on Tuesday to push us toward 60.  The sun becomes more dominant on Wednesday and Thursday such that by Thursday afternoon we’re back toward 70.  Another front at the end of the week will bring down the mercury again along with bringing another risk for showers.
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Fête Nationale July 14, 2007

It will be relatively dry Saturday but the mercury will move to the upper 80′s. A front of sorts will move in on Sunday bringing a risk of a few thunderstorms. Don’t cancel your plans though, in fact, perhaps you will want to extend your celebration of Fête Nationale.

So….whats all this foot stuff. It’s not foot, its Fête and Fête Nationale means “national holiday” in french. I know many Americans think “national holiday” and France are synonymous but try to get beyond that and think of your high school English class and Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities. If you were paying attention in class and still remember, Dickens’ classic was set in the time of the French Revolution and the storming of the Bastille. On this date in 1789, the French peasants stormed the notorious French prison that held many political prisoners at the behest of King Louis XVI. The French were inspired by the new Americans who had gained independence from England just 8 years earlier with the essential help of the French. Remember, it was the French Navy that bottled up Cornwallis’ army at Yorktown while George Washington, with the assistance of Lafayette, locked up the Redcoats by land.

So, it took the French a few years but eventually they got fired up. One of an assortment of grievances was a taxation system that really stuck it to the third estate…the peasants which made up about 98% of the French citizenry. The first estate was the clergy and the second estate was the nobles. Anyway, they stormed the Bastille, Marie Antoinette and the King lost their heads and the first French Republic eventually came into being. Didn’t last too long because Napoleon named himself emperor not too far down the road so it took them awhile before Democracy really took hold. In this country we declared independence in 1776, won in 1781 but never got a good Constitution until 1787 and not a President until 1789. So it takes time. Remember that next time you watch the news. Democracies don’t spring up instantly.

Besides, if the French had gotten their act together sooner, the US may not have ever stretched from sea to shining sea. If you recall, that big old land acquisition by Thomas Jefferson, which by the way he admitted may not have been Constitutional, was called the Louisiana purchase and was done by slipping Napoleon a few greenbacks. Talk about selfishness. Napoleon needed the money to fund his latest war so he gave up what became the breadbasket of the world and the bulk of what would be the greatest nation the world has ever seen for $15 million. He ended up exiled and the US went to superpowerdom. Anyway, if you see a Frenchman today, wish him happy Bastille Day, or Fête Nationale as it is officially, although less commonly, known today. By the way, its interesting, is it not, that our media is referred to as the “third estate”. I suppose its because the press is supposed to be the voice of the people. However, I know that the press doesn’t always speak for me. I mean, think about it….do you really want me speaking for you?

On This Date in History: Outlaw Johnny Ringo gained his independence before the French. He was a member of the infamous “cowboys” of Arizona. He was found in Turkey Creek Canyon near Tombstone, AZ with fatal gunshot wound to the head. It was thought that he killed himself or was killed by “Buckskin” Leslie or “Johnny behind the Deuce.” Then Wyatt Earp claimed to have killed him when he was writing about his life as a lawman. I guess since Wyatt Earp spent much of his later years in Hollywood and because the story was better cinema than perhaps the truth, Hollywood chose Earp’s account and in all the films about Earp, Ringo meets his demise at the hands of Earp…except in Tombstone in which Val Kilmer does the deed instead of Kurt Russel.

In baseball history, Hank Aaron hit his 500th homerun in 1968 exactly one year after Eddie Matthews hit his 500th. In 2004, the Houston Astros fired manager Jimy Williams not long after Williams was booed roundly at the All-Star game which was played in Houston. The Astros, under Phil Garner, staged a big come back in the second half of the season and ended up in the playoffs then made the World Series the following year for the first time in club history. Perhaps the day should be known as Astros Independence from Jimy Williams Day!