Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-02-26
Late Events in Washington Terri.

tory.
The reaCer is already advised that the
| President of the United States on Tuesday
list transmitted to The Senate a copy of the
correspondence relating 10 the arrest Of 6
Judge of Washington Territory BY Cover
nor Stevens, whilst the Judge was holding
his court, and the proc lamation of MARTA
law in that Territory. The correspondence
is full Of interest; but, as it was placed in
the hands of the printer to be speedily print
ed, We ere only able at present to publish
the letter of Secretary Marcy to Governor
Stevens containing the Presidents emphatic
condemnation of the conduct OF the Gov
crnor. The letter is in the terse and clear
style which characterizes all the produc.
tions of the Secretary of State:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER u. 1856.
His Excci.ency ISAAC ]. STEVENS,
Gousraor Of the Territory of IFosLingtm
SIR: have laid before the President al
the documents and papers which you have
transmitted TO this Department in explana-
Iiou Of your course in declaring martial law
in some parts of the Territory of Washing
ton. After full consideration OF them ne
has not been able to find in the casc YOU
have presented Justification for that ex-
treme measure. Whether, in any ciTcum-
stances whatever, the Governor of Ter
ritory can resort TO such a measure, unless
under express authority given by legisla-
iion, is question which it is not proposed
now to discuss or dec ide. 1t is qnite Ger.
tain tina, nothing but GirefuI necessity, in
vo.ving the probable overthrow of the civil
government, could be alleged as any sort of
excuse fur superseding that government
temporarily, and substituting in lis place an
arbitrary military rule. The recognition
of such an inherent power in any function
ary, whatever be his grade or position would
be extremely da igerous to civil and poll ica i
libery. White The President does mol bring
into question the motives by which you
were actuated, he is induced, by an impera-
tive sense of duty, to express his distinct
disapproval of your conduct, so far as re
spects The proclamation Of martial law
Were the President able TO adopt the con-
clusion that martial law cou ID in auv case
BE- established without express legislative
authority, he could not find such case in
the state OF things in Washington Il r to-y
as you have presented Them. Where re-
bellion or a form dlbie insurr ion had in
effect overthrow the.civiI government. mar
tial las has been occasionally resorted 10
US the only means lett for its re-establish-
ment. Martial law has also been resorted
to in aid of The Government when in in-
minent danger Of being overpowered by in
terHal or external foes. In such cases the
measure has been regarded as excusabIe;
but it never Can be excusable where the
object in resorting to martial law was TO
act agaiEst The existing Government of the
country, or to supersede its func:ionaries in
the discharge Of their proper duties. The
lalter seems CO have seen The prIncIpaI7
ground you had for Procluimng martial law
Your conduct in that respect does not, there
fore, meet with the favorable regard OF the
President.
am, sir, your obedient servant,
w. l.. MARCY.