The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1840-09-03
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FIRST FRUITS OF A STANDING ARMY.


Martial Lar IN Tallahassee, Florida.
The Tallahassee Star Of the llth, gives
the details OF most extraordinary proceed
log which came oil IN that town during the
present month to wit, the assembling by
the Governor, Of large number OF hired
Soldlery in the Streets of Tallahassee TO
oyerawe the citizens, under the pIstexi OF
preserving the public peace.
The details are voluminous; but We sub.
join the material points.
At Loco foco meeting in the vicinity of
Tallahassee, a resolution was adopted, dc
claring that the Wings OF Florida had form
ed a union with the Aboltionists of the
North. Some two or three Wings called
upon the Editor Of the paper, in which the
resolution was published, TO know the author
of the resolution, or at leas, upon whose au'
lhority the publication was made. The
Editor promised to give tho name the next
day. Next day, the gentlemen called again
out the Editor was not visible. lnhls stead,
vas letter declining 10 give the desired
information. THIS created some feeling,
aud the whole whig population were lndlg'
nant at the foul asperslon cast upon them.
10 the course Of the day, " hig met Lo'
CO with whom be had quarrelled some
months past, and some angry words passed
between them, and some of the by-slanders
think, the Wing made sn attempt 10 pull
the Loco Foco's nose. This was The sum
total of the breach of the peace, and ii did
not allay the popular feeling. Night cane,
the citizens went to bed as usual, determIn'
ed to await the appearance OF the Editor on
the morrow, as he was confined 10 his room
on the plea of indisposition. The mex,
morning came, and with il large number
Of the L. s. Troops, Who took up their
quarters around the Governor's House, and
established sentlnels all over town, and sub
ected the whole 10 Marital Law. The
surprise of the citizens al this extraordlna
+ rs movement was not greater than their IN
+ dgnation. Ii was soon ascertaned thai
the Troops bad been ordered during the
night, from the frontiers, by the Governor
10 overawe the citizens. A large meeting
was held in the evening, at which, com
ni,,ee was appointed 10 wait upon The Gov
ernor, aud respectfully inquire his reason:
for withdrawing the troops from The defence
of the Frontier, and quaftering them IN the
4 Capitol. The Committee after many de
/ laws, obtained an audience Of bis ExceIlency
/ They delivered their message. The Gov
ernor replied, that he was responsible to the
President, and not to the People Of Florida
for his measures-and making bow TO the
Committee, turned upon his heel and retired
TO his private apartments. After this cava.
her treatment, the Committee wrote note
to his ExceIlency, with the view Of obtain
ing bis reasons IN writing. The following
Is his response:
TALLAHASSEE, 4th Aug. 1910.
Gentlemen Understanding that you desire a
reply in writing to your application Of this after
noon, | have to inform you, that although | dc
not admi, your right to question me about the ON
ployment Of the militia, Of which | am CHEZ
Magistrate, yet my Republican PRINCIPLES forbid
me 10 refuse an answer TO any application iron
my fellow citizens.
/ | state then, 10 you. that the public peace wat
: Yesterday in repeated instances violated tina
there are those in this community who seem t,
consider tine pistol and the bowie knife as the idIe
I Of the land. and that am determined, as Gov
ernor Of Florida, to assert and maintain the su
premacy OF the laws.
Tho volunteers are in Tallahassee, therefore
not to violate the public peace bat to protect II
] am, respectfully,
I y onr Didn't servant,
ROBERT X. REID,
Governor Of Florida.
Messrs. Hayward, IIsckley, Randolph and Cope
land, Of the Committee.
This pretext Of preserving the public
peace, is pronounced false BY the inllahas
see Star and Committee Of the most res
pectable citizens Of the town. But let TIN
psss. The Governors letter produced erea
dissatisfaction. The public meeting ad
journed to next day each man, hosever
determined, that the hired soldiery of tbs
Government should not be ouariered upoI
them, IN violation Of the Constitution enc
OF their rights as freemen. 10 the mean
!. time, several Of the most respectable CHI
Gems had been arrested by the Sen,Inels, anc
the whole town was subjected 10 military
rule. II was reported that the Troops hsc
dlsmounted an old i,h of July cannon, which
belonged 10 the town. This increased the
excitement, the People were aroused
" Some hundred (says the STAR collected
together the drums were beat arms were
collected the cannon was remeUDted suc
charged 10 the muzzle, and for short time
matters wore a very bellgerent aspect
But better counsels prevalIed-lnstead o.
max ~ war at once on the soldiers, the ci,i
zens appointed committee. The soldiers
should leave town--ihat was matter de.
termlned on. They might go peaceably
and quietly il they woud--but they should
90 speedily. Another committee was &C.
cordiugly named, at the head Of which was
that old aud tried friend of the People, ex.
governor w. p. DuyaI. They we're re.
qnesied TO call on the Governor the next
morning, and insist upon the nstan, removal
Of the troops. The People again dispersed
TO their homes.
"The excitement was kept alive the mex,
morning, by the bearing of some Of the off.
GERS IN command Of the troops, towards the
citizens. Major Blackburn staggered and
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