The republic., 1851-02-18
Resignation OF Governor Qu,,mnn,

TO THE PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI
| In November, l649 elected by your free
sufirages Governor OF this State. My term of Of
hce commenced with my Inauguration on the 10th
OF January, 1850 BY the provisions OF the consti-
tuition II will expire on the 10th of January 1852.
La the middle ofmy term of Office and in the active
discharge of its duties, am to- day arrested by the
United States marshal of the southern district of
Mississippi, by virtue of process, originating out
OF charges exhibited against me in the district
court of the United States for the eastern district
| OF louisiana for alleged violation of the neu-
fraty law of 1878, by beginning, setting on foot,
and furnishing the means for military expedition
| against the Island Of Cuba.
Under the charges, the marshal is directed to
arrest me, and remove my person to the city of
| New Orleans, there to be tried for these alleged
| offences.
| Unconscious of having, in any respect violated
the laws CT the country; ready at all times to meet
any charge that might be exhibited against me,
| have only been anxious, in this extraordinary
emergency, to follow the path of duty. As a citi-
zen 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 permit to be violated in my per-
SON. Resistance by the organized force OF the State,
while the federal administration is in the hands of
| men who appear to seek some occasion to test the
strength OF that government, would result in vio-
| lent contests, much to be dreaded in the present
critical condition ofthe country.
The whole South, patent as she ia under encroach-
ment, might took with some jealousy upon the en-
ployment of military force to remove u southern
Governor from the jurisdiction of his State when it
had been withheld from her citizens seeking to re-
claim fugitive slave in Massachusetts.
On the other hand, the arrest and forcblc reno
val from the State of her chief executive mi pstrate
for an indefinite period Of time. would not only be
| degradation Of her sovereignty, but must occa-
sion incalculable injury and dsaster to the inter
ests OF the State, by the entire suspension of the e
ecutive functions of her government. The consti-
| tuition has not contemplated such an event as the
| forcibc abduction Of the Governor. II has not
provided for the performance of the duties by an
other officer except in the case of vacancy Such
vacancy cannot happen while there is a Governor,
| though he boa prisoner to a foreign power. AL
| though he may be absent and incapable of per-
forming his duties, he is still Governor, and no
| other person can execute his Office
II follows, therefore, that in such case the State
wopld practically suffer some Of the evils Of an
archy The pardoning power would be lost. OFF,
great seal of the State could not be used; vacancies
in office could not be filed fugiliyes from Justice
could not be reclaimed or surrendered; the public
works, the operations Of the penientiary, and all
repairs public buildings must stop for want of e
gal acquisitions to dcfray 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 officers of the
State government, these important offices, includ-
ing tho treasury, would be left without the su-
pcrintendcncc or care Of any authorized pcrson.
In fine, the whole government of the State would
be in confusion and great Inconvenience, and per-
haps irrcparabe injury flow from such a state OF
things. For all these evils there is but one remedy
That remedy is my resignation.
therefore, fellow Citizens, now resign the high
trust condded to my hands, with no feeling Of per.
sonal regret, except that could not serve you bet.
ter; with feeling of shame, for am innocent of
the causes which have induced the necessity of this
step. On the contrary. although personally fear
no investigation and shun no scrutiny, / have
spared no efforts consistent with self respect to
avert this result. So learned that attempts
would be made, under an act Of Congress of the
last session, to remove me from this State, form
ally offered, to the proper authorities Of the United
States, any pledge or security to appear in New
Orleans and meet the charges against me, soon
'sfm 81 0Ge snoaia shxpaf & and h mon
cd, not to mysclf, but to the State, in dragging
away from his duties her chief magistrate.
My proposition was not accepted, and my re-
| monstrancc not hccded
II 1t is not for me to complain. You are the ag-
grieved party. My course in this matter meets
the approval Of some of the most patriotic citizens
near me. sincerely hope, it was dictated alone
by my sense Of duty to the State, it may meet the
appreciation Of my fellow citizens.
/ In thus parting from my generous constituents,
i would be proper to give them an account of my
that have acted ms their public servant, but the
official connexion between US has been so summa-
rily and unexpectedly severed, that | must defer
the grateful task to q future day.
have but to add that. during my short but cx-
citing period of service, have in all things striven
to be faithful and true to the rights the interests,
and the honor of the State. For this have beon
abused and illuminated by the enemies of the
South Trcachcry and faithlessness would have
secured favor and praise from the same sources.
Fellow-citizens, now take my leave of you with
tended to me, and with cheering confidence that
your honor and your interests may be safely con-
fdcd to the hands of the faithful and able son of
Mississippi, who, az president of the Senate sue
| ceeda q Dlacc JOHN A OJTlrMAN
ExEcurIvE CHAMBER, JACKSON, Monday cven-
ing, Feb. 5, 1851. f
MONTGOMERY CoUNry.-The Rockville (Md.)
Journal, Of tho sth instant, publishes the following
! items
:" MIR. James Ricketts,, near Gaithcrsburg, in
this county, slaughtered a mig day last week
which weighed seven hundred and fourteen pounds.
r This was one OF the old time Montgomery county
breed.
l I" The weather has not been very favorable 10
the wheat the alternate freezing and hawing cast
ing it up, yet, upon the whole il looks quite flour
} ishing.
"a pretty severe hail-storm passed over several
. portions Of our county on Monday last; no damage
done, as far as we have been able to ascertain.
We notice arrivals of guano in pretty consid-
crabic quantities for the spring sowing"
The York (Pa.) papers announce the death o.
James Ramsay, esq., of that county, one of the he
| loic ipch Wno w hhhNh W oaiuiiort
in 1914, to defend that city against the attack o
the British. He was in his sixty fifth year.
SHEEP FOR CALronNIA.--A gentleman who had
! reached San Francisco from Santa Barbara by
land, reported having passed on his route eight
thousand head of sheep, which were driven from
the State Of Sonora TO the San Francisco market.
-sr.----.---..-..-------.---
!. NTOTiCE.-A lecture will be delivered at Carusi's
In Saloon, on next Wednesday, the 18th instant
at u O'Clock, p. m. by the Hon. Joseph X. Chand-
Ter. The proceeds of tho lecture will be appropri-
atcd to the benefit of Saint vincents Orphan Asy-
lum.
Tickets Of admission, % cents Feb Is
kuA FURNISHED HOUSE TO LET.-Ths