With high respect, I subscribe myself, your obedient servant,
J. MADISON WELLS, Governor of Louisiana.
Major General E.R.S. CANBY, Commanding Department of the Gulf.
Official copy:
R. DES ANGES, Major, A.A.G.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF LOUISIANA,
New Orleans, September 8, 1865.
Sir: In compliance with your request, I have the honor to submit some remarks upon the civil government of Louisiana, and its relation to the military administration of this department. These relations are more anomalous and complicated, probably, than in any other insurrectionary State, and it will be useful in considering these questions to bear in mind the changes that have occurred since the occupation of this city by the Union forces. These are, briefly—
1. The military administration of the commander of the department of the Gulf, Major General Butler.
2. The military government, of which Brigadier General Shepley was the executive, by appointment of the President.