Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-06-14
PROCLAMATION.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, INDIANA,
J1dionopo1is. June eth. 1855.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, fNDIANA,)
Ladioaopolis June eth, 1855,
To The People Of Indiana:
Whereas, it is reprcsented to me, and this
Department is in actual possession of infor-
malion from public and private sources, that
the ontrages alluded TO in my proclamation
Of the 9th of May, are again repeated, under
circumstances Of deep aggrayation, by which
sill more serious damages has been done to
the Wabash and Erie Canal in Clay county
and whereas, these Outrsges are confessedly
the result Of combination Of persons known
and denominated as Black Boys or Resu-
lators, whose aim and object is to visit pun
ishmcnt on those who offend them, either in
the execution Of pnblic duties or in the pri-
vate intercourse of citizenship And whereas,
it is manifest that these combinations and
associations are illegal dangerous, and sub
versive of the pnblic peace, and the rightful
protection Of person and property within this
State:-And whereas it is represented 10 me,
by good men living in Clay, Green, and other
counties south Of the Birch Creek Reservoir,
that the destruction of that necessary feeder
OF the Canal is to them great private loss,
and its violation great public outrage; And
whereas, from recent inAammatoFy letters re-
ceived from unknown persons, at this De.
partment, and elsewhere, there is a mapifest
intention TO intimidate and arrest the course
of public Justice by the debasing agencies Of
midnight assault and the fire brand of the
incendiary-for remedy whereof it is de-
clared--
That the Wabash and Erie Canal, in Clay
county. is now under the immediate charge
of the State authorities, for the purpose of
being repaired by the Trustees aforesaid, the
officers and agents of the Trustees having been
warned off at the peril of their lives, and by
an armed hand of men, concealed by masks
and other DISCUSSES. This protection is due
to il, and to them, not only because they are
in the discharge of legal duty in supplying
the canal with water. by means of the said
reservoir. but because every interest suffers
bv its destruction Hundreds of thousands
of dollars are now invested in boats, produce,
and labor on that canal, which is all liable to
he Turned worthless on the hands of the
owners by the criminal and misguided con-
dnct Of the persons engaged in the late pro-
( ceedings n, and near the reservoir To emu
merate these outrages, and recall the forbear-
ance manifested under such state of law
I lessness. the Executive calls them mp in the
order in which they have occurred, viz:
/. Destruction Of Birch Greek Reservoir
June 22d, 1854;
.. Attempt to destroy waste-way of same
July 6, 1854;
3. Attempt to bum Eel River Dam, Au.
gust, 1854;
4. Destruction of Birch Creek Reservoir
May 10Th. 1855
.. Warning of men sent to repair the same
May Slst, 1855;
6 Partial destruction of Aquednet owe
Birch Creek, May 3lst, 1855;
Z. Mobbing, lynching, and tearing aowI
the house Of a citizen, May cath, 1855
s. burning Of shanties destruction oi prop
erty, and turning the inmates ont Of doors
near the Reservoir, June 2d. 1855.
This catalogue Of outrages is suficicntl
aggravated to call for the most decided AM
: energetic measures of correction. Fer tn
character Of our State, our people, our ustitu
tions, and the peace and prosperity of society
I sincerely hope that these things viii not b
| reenacted. The laws must be enforced -or
happy institutions must be preserveG-publi
! property must be protected, and the priyai
citizen secured in the enjoyment of all h
rights. If injuries are inilioted-if the righ
of the citizen are impaired OF taken away b
:, " these or similar works, the courts Of the couk
try are at hand, ready to apply the remedy
> | cannot doubt hut that that portion of OF
= citizens who are now led away by passion IN
> strange delusions, and are ready to strik
down the law and It's ministers, come To II
fleet upon their conduct and the consequer
. ces which mnsi ensue they viii cease to dii
- tnrb the peace and harmony Of the countr.
The work recently destroyed is now beir
" repaired under the protection of force o
dered by this Department; and !, therefor
call upon all good citizens in Clay county ar
V elsewhere, and all officers holding any rel
ton To the Government, To aid in securing II
le public peace, the security of the public pro
W erty, and in bringing 10 punishment the pc
er sons who have SO recently, set at defiance Il
is authority of the Law, and the right of the {
at tizen. This Department vested by the Co
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