The following is the letter sent to the Mayor by Capt. Farragut yesterday:
U. S. Flagship Hartford
At Anchor off the city of New Orleans, April 28, 1862
To his Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the city of New Orleans:
Your communication of the 26th inst. has been received, together with that of the City Council:
I deeply regret to see, both by their contents, and the continued display of the flag of Louisiana on the Courthouse, a determination on the part of the city authorities not to haul it down. Moreover when my officers and men were sent on shore to communicate with the authorities, and to hoist the United States flag on the Customhouse, with the strictest order not to use their arms unless assaulted, they were insulted in the grossest manner, and the flag which hd been hoisted by my orders on the Mint, was pulled down and dragged through the streets.
All of which go to show that the fire of this fleet may be drawn upon the city at any moment, and in such an event the levee would in all probability be cut by the shells, and an amount of distress ensue to the innocent population, which I have heretofore endeavored to assure you that I desired by all means to avoid.
The election is therefore.with you. But it becomes my duty to notify you to remove the women and children from the city within forty-eight hours, if I have rightly understood your determination.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(signed) D. G. FARRAGUT,
Flag Officer Western Gulf Blockading Squadron
New Orleans Daily Crescent, New Orleans, LA