North Carolina standard., 1851-02-22
GOV. eurrMAN,s RESIGNATION.

To THE PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI. In November,
Is49, was elected, BY your free suffrage, Governor
of this State. My term of Office commenced with
my Inauguration on the 10th cf January, 1850. By
the provisions of the constitution, it will expire on
the 10th of January. 1852. In the middle ofmy term
of Office. in the active discharge of its duties, am
to-day arrested by the United States Marshal of tn
Southern District of Mississippi, by virtue of pro-
cess, originating out of charges exhibited against me
in the district of the United States for the Eas
tern District of louisiana for an alleged violation of
the neutrality law of 1918. by beginning, setting
foot and furnishing the means for military expedi
ton against the Island of Cuba.
Under these charges the marshal IS directed to
rest me and remove my person 10 ine cl.y OF New
Orleans, there to be tried for these alleged offences
Unconscious of having in any respect violated the
laws of the country-ready all times to meet any
cnarges That might be exhibited against me- nave
only been anxious, in this extraordinary emergency
to follow the path of duty. AS citizen, 1t was plain
and clear must yield to the law. however oppressive
or unjust in my case; but as Chief Magistrate of
sovereign State, had also in charge her dignity,
her honor and her sovereignty, which could not per-
init 10 De violated in my person. Resistance by the
organized force of the State while the federal admin
istraon is in the hands of men who appear to seek
some occasion to test the strength OF that Govern
men, would result in violent contests, much to be
dreaded in the present critical condition OF the coun-
try.
The whole South, patient as she is under encroach-
ment might lok with some jealousy upon the en-
ployment of military force to remove Southern
Governor from the jurisdiction of his State when 1t
had been withheld from their citizens seeking to re-
claim fugitive slave from Massachusetts,.
On the other hand, the arrest and forcIble removal
from the State of her Chief Executive Magistrate,
for an indefinite period of time, would not only be
degradation of her sovereignty, but must occasion
incacuable injury and disaster to the interests of the
Sate by the entire suspension of the Executive func-
tions of her Government. The constitution has not
contemplated such event the forcIble abduction
of the Governor. It has not provided for the per-
m Of dutio hu fhar0
the case of vacancy. Such vacancy cannot happen
while there is a Governor, though he bel prisoner
to foreign power. Although he may be absent, and
incapable of performing his duties, he is still Gov
ernor, and no other person can execute his othce.
1t follows, therefore, that in such case, the State
would practically suffer of the evils OF anarchy
The Pardoning power would be lost. Officers could
not be commissioned qualified; the great seal OF
State could not be used; vacancies in office could not
be filled; fugves from justice could not be reclaim
ed or surrendered the public works. the operations
of the penltenary, and all repairs OF public build.
ing, must stop for want of legal acquisitions to detray
the expenses thereof. The sale of State lands and
the location OF recent grants, must be suspended.
The convention of the people. called at the last
session of the Legislature, could not assemble for
want of writs of election. In case of the death or
resignation of the administrative officer of the State
Government, these important Offices including the
Treasury, would be left without the superintendance
or care OF any authorized person. In fine, the whole
government of the State would be in confusion and
flow from such state of things. For all these evils
there is but one remedy. That remedy is my resig-
nation.
Therefore, fellowcitzens resign the high trust
conhded to my hands, with no feeling of personal re-
gret except that could not you better; with
feeling of shame, for am innocent of the causes
which have produced the necessity of this step. On
the contrary, although personally fear no investlga-
ton land shun scrutiny, L have spared no efforts
consistent with sefrespect to avert tn is result So
soon as learned that attempts would be made under
act of Congress of the last century, to remove me
from this State, formally offered to the proper au-
thortes of the United States any pledge or security
to appear in New Orleans and meet the charges
against me, as soon my term of Office should ex-
pire; and demonstrated against the indignity thus
about to be offered not to myself but to the State, in
dragging away from his duties her Chief Magistrate
My proposition was not accepted, and my remon-
STRANGE not needed.
1t is not fol- me to complain. You are the aggrev-
edIparty. in this matter meets the appro-
sincerely hope, it dictated alone by my sense
of duty to the State, may the appreciation of
my fellow-ctizens.
In thus parting from my generous constituents, it
would be proper to give them account of my stew
ardship during the short but interesting period that
have acted their public servant, but the official
connection between US has, been so summarily and
unexpectedly severed, that must defer the grateful
task to future day.
/ have but to add that during nv short but excit-
ing period of SERVICE have in all things strven to
be faithful and the rights, the interests and
the honor of the State. For this, have been abu-
sed and calumniated by the enemies of the South.
Treachery and fathlessness whould have secured ia
| vor and praise from the same source.
Fellow citizens, now take my leave of you with
gratitude for the generous support you have extended
to me, and with the cheering confidence that your
honor and your interests may be safely conded the
hands of the faithful and able of Mississippi who,
as President of the Senate, succeeds to my place.
]. A. QUITMAN.
Eyooutiuo Ghopohar E,A Q
GEN. QuITMAN IN COURT. In the United States
Circuit Court, at New Orleans, on Friday morning.
at ii O'Clock, while Mr.. Benjamin was proceeding
with the argument in the case against John Hender-
SON, Gen. John A. Quman late Governor of the State
OF Mississippi. appeared in court, accompanied by
Mr. Fielding Davis. the U. S. Marshal for the South
ern District of Mississippi, and the Hon. A. T. Nc
Murran, distinguished lawyer from Natchez and a
| former partner of Gen. Quitman.
| The U. S. Marshal, Fielding Davis, having re-
turned the writ of arrest to the court Gen. Quitnan
arose and stated that, waving the reading of the in
dIctment, ne desired to enter the plea of not guilty,
and should demand speedy trial, as he had resigned
his Office Governor for the purpose of obeying the
summons of the court. He desired to be baiIed and
was prepared to enter into recognzance to appear
from day to day until his trial.
The court ordered the clerk, Mr.. ]. w. Gurley to
take the recognizance of Gen. Quitman in the sum
of $1 900. The General then entered into bond with
Mr.. Henry w. Hill as surety.
| The court stated to Gen. Quitman that it should
give him as speedy trial as was in its power.
| Mobile Register.
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