The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-01-27

the purposes Of selt-defense, whereby an ex-
tensiye section of our frontier is left, in a
measure unprotected; and the peaceable,
good citizens thereof are put in great jeapo-
dy, and exposed to the retaliatory incursions
and ravages of an exasperated enemy
and, whereas, disturbances of very serious
nature are believed to exist, in consequence
of portion of the militia having been thus
ordered out of the State: Therefore, to the
end that these great evils may be provided
against, and as far as may be, prevented for
the future.
Be it known, that such portion of militia
of said third division as may now be doing
duty in the State of New York, or elsewhere
beyond the limits of this State, both officers
and men, are hereby ordered and directed,by
the Captain-General and Commander-in-chiel
of the militia of the State Of Vermont, forth
with to return to their respective places of
their usual residence, and there to hold them
selves in constant readiness to act in obedi-
ence to the orders of Brigadier General Da-
Wis, who is appointed, by the Legislature of
this State, to the command of said brigade.
And the said Brigadier General Jacob Da-
Wis is hereby ordered and directed forthwith
to see that the militia Of said brigade be COM
pletely armed and equipped, as the law d.
reefs, and held in constant readiness to
march, on the shortest notice, to the defense
of the frontiers and, in case of actual irva-
sion, without further orders, to march with
the troops of the United States, or seperate-
ly, as circumstances may require, in repelling
the enemy from our territory, and in protect
ing the good citizens of this State from the
ravages of hostile incursions.
And in case of an event so seriously to be
deprecated, it is hoped and expected that ev-
cry citizen. without distinction of party, will
fly at once to the nearest post of danger, and
that the only rally word will be "our coun-
try"
Feeling. as the Captain General does, the
weight ct responsibility which rests upon
him, with regard to the Constitutional duties
of the militia and the sacred rights of our
citizens to protection from this great class OF
the community, so essentially necessary in
all free countries,-at moment, too, when
they are SO emiEently exposed to the dan
gers Of hostile incursions and domestic diff
culties, he cannot conscientiously discharge
the trust reposed in him, by the voice of his
fellow citizens, and by the Constitutions of
this State and the United States, without an
! unequivocal declaration, that, in his opinion
the military strength and resources of this
State, must be reserved for its own defense
and protection, erclusirely, excepting in cas-
es provided for by the Constitution of the
United States and then. under orders de-
rived only from the Commander-in- chief
Given under my hand, in Montpelier
the 10th day of November, in the year OF
our Lord, 1913, and of the independence,
of the United States the thirty eighth.
MARTIN CHIITENDEN.
An answer was given to the foregoing pro
clamation as follows:
"L4ns.er to Gorernor Chitendem's Procia
nation.
To his Excellency, Martin Chittenden
Esq, Governor, Captain-General, and Com
mander-i r-in-chief in and over the State of Yer
mont:
Sir. most novel and extraordinary proc
! lamation from your Excellency. "orLerin;
and directing the militia Of :he third brigad,
in the third division Of the militia of Yer
mont, now doing duty for the State OF New
| York, both officers and men, forthwith to re
turn to their respective places of their usua
residence" has Just been communicated tt
the undersigned officers of said brigade.
A measure SO unexampled, requires that
We should state to your Excellency the rea
sons which induce US. absolutely and positive
! ", to refuse obedience to the order contained
in Your Excellency's proclamation.
With Difference to your Excellercy's opin
ion, We humbly conceive that, when We ar.
ordered into the service OF the United States
it becomes our duty, when required,to march
to the defense of any section of the Union.
! We are not of that class who believe thai
our duties as citizens or soldiers, are circum
scribed within the narrow limits of the tow
or State in which We reside; but that We ar.
under paramount obligation to our com
mon coun,ry,-to the great confederacy of
the States.
We further conceive, that while We are il
actual service, your Excellency's power ovel
US, as Governor Of the State Of Vermont, i
suspended.
Ii it is true, as your Excelency states, tha
1--WE are out Of the jurisdiction or control of
the Executive of Vermont" We would ash
from whence your Excellency derives tn,
right or presumes to exercise the power, OF
ordering US to return from the service i,
which we are now engaged If we were le
gaNy ordered into the service of the Cnitet
States your Excellency must be sensible tha
YOU have no power TO order US out of tina
survice. If We were illegally ordered int,
service, our continuance in it is either volun
tary or compulsory. Ii voluntary, it give
no one right to demonstrate or complain
if compulsory, We can appeal to the laws of
our country Tor redress against those who il
legally restrai:: US of our liberty. In eithe
case, we cannot perceive the right your Tx
ceilency has to interfere in the business
Viewing the subject in this light, we con
ceive ii our duty TO declare uneguivocally t,
your Excellency, that We shall not obey you
Excellency's order for returning, but shal
continue in the service of our country unit
we are legally and bonorably discharged. Al
. invitation or order to desert the standard of
our country will never be obeyed by US, al
though it proceed from the Governor ant
> Captain General of Vermont
Perhaps it is proper that We should con
tent ourselves with merely giving your Ex
cellency the reasons which prevail upon US t.
disregard your proclamation, but We are in,
pressed with the belief that our duty to our
selves, to the soldiers under our command
! and to the public, requires that We shoul
expose to the world the motives which pro
duced, and the objects which were INTENDED
to be accomplished by, such an extraordina
ry proclamation.
, We shall take the liberty to state to you
> Excellency plainly on the subject. We cor