New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-06-13
OUTRAGE ON THE WABASH AND ERIE
CANAL

The war in Indiana seems TO be approaching
crisis. On the sth inst, Gov. Wright Issued pro-
csmstion to the people of Indiana setting forth the
outrsees dore on the Wabash and Erie Canal, in Clay
county. by a combination known as BLACK Boys
from the fact that they black their faces when pro-
eeednc 10 acts of mob violence. The Governor thus
enumera,es the ontrages:
l. Destruction OF Birch Creek Reservoir, June % 81
Q Attempt 10 destroy waste-way Of same July 9th,
1854.
g. Attempt TO burn Eel River Dam, August 1854.
L. Destruction of Birch Creek Reservoir, May ION,
1855.
s. Warning off men sent to repair the same, May
3lst, 1855. 49,
s. Partial destruction of Aqueduct Birch Creek,
MAY Dist, 1855.
T. Hobbirg Ivrching and tearing down the house of
a citizen, May gath, 1885, >,
g. Burning Of shanties destruction of property and
turning the inmates ont OF doors, near the RESERVOIR
June I'd, 1855.
We extract from his proclamation as follows:
sThs catalogue of ou,r4ges sufficiently aggravated
to call for the most decided and energetic measures OF
correction.
1.-THE work recently destroyed is now being repaired
under the protection of force ordered by this Depart
ment and therefore call upon all good citizens in
Clay County and elsewhere, and all officers holding
any relation TO the Government, to ad IN securing he
public peace the security of the public property and
In bring ing 10 punishment the persons who have so re-
Gently set al defiance the authority of the laws and the
rights Of the citizen. This Department, vested oy the
Cons itution with the power TO see that the laws are
executed 10 suppress instruction, firmly resoyedto
bring the whole military force Of the State If necessary
10 mt down these awess proceedings and 70 secure
ii quiet reign of the law. Ii is far better that millions
should he expended, and even lives sacrificed, than
that lawless band of men or private individuals
should usurp tie authority of law and rule day or an
hour in madness IN our heppy state.
The indianapolis Journal gives the following i'm
portant information:
"In private letter of instructions to his Gov.
Wrieht'sl Aids Gen. Dodd and Col Ness, to whom
ore entrusted the duty of supporting the civil author
ties in protecting the reservoir in canal, the Cover
nor says they 10 employ not exceeding forty men,
unless il should be manifest that snch force would be
inadequate and then they to increase their force
the exicency demands. He further says If they fnd
tie Courts of Clay County determined 20 aid the rot
ers or unwilling against them the fact must be
reported to the Executive, and he will declare Clay
Cont in state 81 iaSarrcctioa-for the time being
am iii its civil existence, aud extend Jurisdiction
of the Counts of neg boring counties over II. From
tbs il will be seen that the Governor Is determined to
put rioters down, and Il they are wise they viii
iuinie Capt. SCOTS coon, and come down without
compUsion."
The Journal says that there is very serious danger
that the citizens of the neighborhood injured by these
canal outraces will be excited by renewal of them TO
such degree as take the law into their hands
and punish mob outrages by mob vengeance as there
are enough men interested in the preservation of the
Canal to crush the whole nest of Clay County out
laws ct once.