, 1859-12-13


R,cuAosp, Va, November 20, l859.-Sir:
bare information from various quarters, upon
which rely, that conspiracy. Of formidable
extent in menus and numbers, is formed in
Ohio, Pennsylyania, New York and other states,
to rescuc john Brown aud his associates, prf-
soncrs at Charlestown, Virginia. The iniorua-
lion is specific enough to be relnbie. 1t con"
cue The prisoners and, that fails then to seize
citizens Of this state as hostages and victims in
case Of execution. The execution will take
place next Friday, ns certainly as that Virginia
caa and will enforce her laws. 1hare beef obtig-
ed to call out one thousand men, who are now
under arms, and, if necessary, shall Gull out the
whole available force Of the state, to carry into
effect the sentence of our lnws on the I'd and
18th proxin1o. Places in Maryland, Ohio and
Peuns5 5lyania have been occupied as dePots and
rendezvous By these desperadoes, unobstEucted
By guards Or otherwise, 10 invade this state, and
We are kept in continual apprehension OF ontra-
ges from ire and rapInt on our borders. ap-
prise yon Of these facts, in order that you
may take steps to prcserrc peace between
the states. I protest that my purpose
is peaceful, and that disclaim nll thl enls when
l say, with all the might of meaning. that if an-
other invasion assaiis this state or its citizens,
from any quarter, will pursue the invaders
wherever they may 90, into any territory. and
punish them wherever arms can reach them.
truly, HENRY a. W1sz.
GoyknSoR cuAsE's RgPLr.
STATE OF ONO, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
CoIr1prs, December ], 1859.
Sir: Your letter Of the e5th ultimo-post-
marked esth-together with copy Of one Of
tue same date, addressed By you TO the Presi.
dent, were received yesterday No intelligence,
other than that contained in these letters, hss
reached us Of any such preparations - ate de-
scribed In them, and the letters themselves con-
vey no such information in respect to place or
persons as is necessary 10 enable the authorities
Of the state, in the absence Of other intelligence
to interpose with any certainty or effect. When
ever it shall be made to appear, either by evl-
dence transmitted by you or otherwise, that uu~
lawful combinations are being formed by any
persons, or at any placein Ohio, for the invasion
Of Virginia, or for the commission Of crimes
sgain>f her people, it will undoubtedly become
tue duty Of The Executive to usa whatever pow
er he may possess to break up such comhina-
tions aud defeat their unlawful purposes, and
that duty, it need not be doubted, will be
promptly performed.
observe, xith regret, m intiuation in yous
letter that necessity may compel the authorities
tiou into the territories Of adjoining states It
is to be hoped that no circumstances will arise
creatiog, in their opinion, such necessity
Laws of tie United States, as veil as the laws Of
Ohio, indicate the mode in which persons charg-
cd will, crime in another state, and escaping in
rendered; and the people Of this state will re-
quire from her authorities the punctual fulfil
ment Of every obligation to the other members
Of the Union. They caanot consent, however,
to the Invasion Of her territory By armed bodies
from other states, csen for the purpose Of puE-
suing aud arresting fnsitives from Justice.
hare the honor to be,
Very ye4DectfulIy yours.
5. r. CnAsE.'
His Excel!ency, Henry L. Wise, &C., &C., DC