The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-12-28
GOV. WISE TO GOV. CHASE

-ist RICHMOND, Va. November Is, 1859.
SrR :: Il have information from various
quarters. upon which rely, that a conspiracy.
of formidable extent and means and numbers,
is formed in Ohio Pennsylvania, New York
and other States, TO rescue John Brown and
his associates. prisoners at CharIsstown, Va.
The information is specific enough to be relia.
ble.s It convinces me that an attempt will be
made to rescue the prisoners, and if that fails,
then to seize citizens Of this State as hostages
and victims in case of execution. The exc
cution will take place next Friday, as certain.
y as that Virginia can and will enforce her
laws. 4 have been obliged to call out one
thousand men. who are now under arms, and,
if necessary, shall call out the whole available
force of the State, to carry into effect the
sentence of our laws on the I'd and 10Th prox-
imo.y Places in Maryland, Ohio and PeunsyL
vaBia have been occupied as depots and rem
devious by these desperadoes unobstrncted BY ;
guards or otherwise, to invade this State and
we are kept in continual appre hensiou of out
RACES from fire and rapine on our borders.
apprise you of these facts, in order that you :
may take steps to preserve peace between the
States. Iprotest that my purpose is peace
full, and that disclaim all threats when say. q
with all the might of meaning. that if another
invasion assails this State orits citizens from
any quarter, l will pursue the invaders sher-a
ever they may go. into any territory, and pun.
ish them wherever arms can reach them e
With due respect and consideration. yours,
truly, HENRY A. WISE
GOVERNOR GHASES REPLY.
STATE OF Ono, ExEcurvE DEPARTMENT
nsg COLUMBUS December l, 1859, -
SIR Your letter of the 23d t.,postmark.
ed 26. together with copy of one of the
same; date. addressed by you to the President,
were received yesterday. No intelligence oth-J
Ter than that contained 10 these letters, has
reached me, of any such preparations as are
described in them. and the letters themselves
convey no such information.in in respect to place
or persons. as is necessary to enable the au--o
thorities of the State. in the-absence Of other
intelligence. to iuterpose with any certaintyo or
effect Whenever it shall be made to appear.
either'by evidence transmitted BY you, or 9th.
erwise, that unlawful combinations are being
formed by any persons or at any place in
Ohio, for the invasion of Virginia. or for the
commission of crimes against her people, IL
will undoubtedly, become the duty of her
Executive to use whatever power he may
possess, to break up such combinations, and
so defeat their unlawful purpose; and that
duty. it need not be doubted. will be perform.
ed. eHsL 7p<E sa ez3s ae s1if
I observe with deep regret an intimafion Ii
your letter that necessity may compel the au.o
thorties,of Virginia to pursue the invaders Of
her jurisdiction into the territories of adjoin-T
ing States 1t is to be hoped that no cifcnu.
stances win arise creating, in their opinion,
such a necessity. Laws OF the Uaited Ssates,s
AS we'll as the laws Of Ohio, indicate the mode
in which persons charged with crime in ianoths'
er State, and escaping into Ohio. may be de-
manded aud must be surrendered; and the
people of this State will require from her au,,
thorities the panctuai fnl6llment of every OBJ
legation to other me10fs of the Unien.--s
They cannet consent however, to the invasions
of her territory by armed bodies from other
States, even for the purpose of pursuing aud
arresting fugitives from justice. .sh
have the honor to be. very respectfully.
yonrs,, ssss "a -sss sss sAS..PsCHASE.~
His Exeellency, Henry A. Wise, &c.