The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-05-29
A PROCLAMATION. t
EXECUTIVE DEPARrMExr,l
I,ndsoonnolse Ind Nav "a 1aKk


Whereas. 1t 10 represented to neon reliable
authority, that great outrage has been com.
mitted in Clay county, Ihdian. by the de-
struction Of the Birch Creek Reservoir, q
necessary and Indispensable feeder Of the
Wabash and Erie Canali and whereas, II
further appears that IN armed mob Of per.
sons, consisting Of one hundred Of more, did
on the 10th day of May Instant at the hour
Of II M. appear on the banks Of said work
aud after fring~ at the guard thereon, and
driving him awey, Proceeded to cut the en-
bankment of the same dischsrgine the water
which had been collected, and otherwise
damaging the property of the Trusts and
whereas, sll the persons engaged in that
nefarious and un1aW fol proceeding were dis
guised, by the appropriate concealment Of
bIackened faces and other outward DISCUSSES
befiitting such . deed; and whereas, have
reason TO believe that bot few OF the per.
sons 90 engaged reside near the site Of said
Reservoir, or have just cause for complaints
If any exist, but are for the most part, an or.
papized and unlawful association of persons,
resolved to set at defiance the legal rights of
persons and the security Of their property,
az has been manifested in many recent oc.
casions; and whereas. it is the duty OF the
Executive of Indiana &c see that the laws are
faithfully executed, and the public pence
preserved; therefore,
Be it Knocn, That !. Joseph A. Wright.
Governor of the State Of Indiana, by virtue
of the power vested in me. do hereby offer q
reward of Ave hundred dollars for any iafor.
nation that may lead to the appreh nsion
and conviction of the perssn or persons, or
any one of them, who aided and assisted ia
the cutting Of the embankm,nt of the Bircii.
Creek Reservoir. in Clay county Indiana, ON
Thursday the 10Th day Of May 1855.
And il 10 further declared aid made known
that the sacred promises and pledges given
BY the State Of Indiana to her creditors, by
the laws establishing the Trust; and the pro.
lection promised and guaranteed therein,
shall be faithfully kept and fulfilled 20 far a.
the employment of al regular and constitu-
tional means shall be necessary to arrest
these iawless proceedings, and tc prevent q
repetition Of conduct disgracefuI to the actors,
their aiders and abettors. To accomplish
this, force may be necessary. Inthat event
I shall not fail to invoke it. for tie safety of
the work is placed under the guarantee of
the law, and that shall not be disrsgarded.-
The State has deep interest in tbs matter.
and the confiding men who placed mo;ety
Of the debt due BY the people oil Indiana. into
the canal, shall not have their confidence
abused without an effort to sase our beloved
State from the disgrace and dishopor which
these mobs would entail upon her citizens =
This spirit OF lawlessness must 10 met and
arrested, il we do not desire 70 have our
State . by.word and reprosch in the land.
II will be no fault Of mine, If irresponsible
associations shall control and override the
written laws OF tie State, and become the
svenger of imaginary wrongs. No mans
property will lsng DO secure, If armed men
in disguise cas- do these things with impunity
and 60 unpublished and unrestrsined.
In TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand, and caused the seal Of
FsEAL.l the State Of Indiana TO be affixed. at
|~O the city Of Indianapolis. this Gath day
of May, 1856.
By the Governor,
JOSEPH A. WRIGHT.
ERASMUS B. COLLINS, Secretary Of State.