The W&amp;P was threatened during the events following John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry, and was a possible avenue for either an invasion into Virginia, or for a rescue operation of John Brown and other prisoners. The Governor of Virginia sent this notice to John W. Garrett, President of the Baltimore &amp; Ohio, concerning Virginia Militia shutdown and control of both the W&amp;P and B&amp;O in connection with the raid in 1859.