Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-05-09
THE MARYLAND COMMISSIONERS AND Mr.
JINc0TN

FREDERICK, May s, 1861.
srSarg-The commissioners appointed by the Legis-
hture-Hon Robert NJ. kcl'ine, Ohio Scott and VIM.
I Ross Esas-to visit the President OF the United
States appeared in the Senate Chamber this morn.
ing and presented in person the following report
To the HonOrdbe tie Gsncrdt Assenbig of Maryland !:
The undersigned commissioners have the honor TO
mort 10 the General Assembly Of Maryland that they
waited in person on the President of the United States
on the 4h instant and presented to him copy of the
Joint resolutions adopted By your honorable to1es
The I'd instant They received By the President with
respectful courtesy and they made such representations
as were necessary convey TO him the Sc of the Gen.
era Assembly Of in rellon to the occupation Of
the cap,a of the State by the Federal troops aud the
torcibe seizure of the prop'ry OF the State by the
Federal troops and the iorcbc seizure Of the properly
of the State and of private ctz-ns in the Annapolis
road and in the Washing on Branch Of the Baltimore
and Olio Railroad Company. Aud in this connection
his attention was called the suspension OF intercourse
b tween Baltimore and Washington, and Of all per
a the State with Annapolis and to the iuligny put upon
State while still in the Federal Union by such inter.
ference with the private rights oil s citizens and by such
AN occupaion OF its soil and ways Of communication by
the Federal Government.
Ful xoaLatlons we're exchanged between the under.
signed and the Secretary of War and the Secretary of
State-who present and participated in the dscus-
sonas TO the fact and circumstances that render
sary the extraordinary incidents accompanying the pas
sage of federal troops through Maryland route to the
acts of the authorities OF the city OF Baltimore which
arrested the progress OF the troops by the railroad lead
ing from wanna aud Delaware iato Maryland; and
of the opposition TO The landing OF the TROOPS
subsequently at Annapolis, by the Governor oil the
State: and in connection with this action OF the
authorities of the State the hostile feeling mani
tested by the people to the passage OF these
troops through Maryland considered aud treated with
entire fraukncss By t Undersigned who, whAi ac-
kaowedging all the legal Obligations OF the State to the
Federal Government forth fully the strength oil SYM
patty fell by large portion OF our people for our South
ern brethren in the present crisis although many Of the
incidents and circumstances referred 10 were regarded
ia ference Of opinion to some OF the facts involved,
yet in regard to tho general principle at ISSUE concur
renee OF opinion was reached.
TIE President concurred with the undersigned in the
opinion that so long Maryland had not taken, and wSs
not about taking hostile attitude to the federal govern
men that the exclusive mlrry occupation OF her ways
of communication and the seizure OF the property oil her
citizens would be without justification; and what has
referred to in this connection so Tar as 1t occurred
was treated by the government Of necessity and
sell preservation. The undersigned did not feel author
lied to enter into any arrangements with the federal gov
eminent induce change its relations to the State
of Maryland, considering 1t proper under the clrcum-
sances have the entire discretion and responsibility
of the existing OF things TO that government making
such representations they deemed proper to vndcae
the moral and legal aspects Of the question: and especially
insisting its obligation TO relieve the State promptly
from restraint and indgny, and to abstain from all action
in the transportation troops that can be regarded as IN
tended for chassemeu or prompted by resentment. The
undersigned are able indicate 10 what extent or to
what degree the Executive discretion will be exercised IN
nd flying the relations which exist between the State
of Maryland and the Federal Government and in the
particular mater OF the comm rcill communications be
tween the cr of Baltimore and other pats Of The coun-
try brought to the attention of the General Assembly
by the mayor and city council OF Baltimore. But they
feel su hozed express the opinion that some modh'
cation may be expected.
The undersigned feel painfully confident that's war is
to be waged reduce all the seeding States to aegl'
ane to the federal government and that the whole mill
tary power Of the federal government will be exered 10
accomplish that purpose and though the expression Of
this opinion csei for by the resolutions OF your
honOra lie bodies We; having had the opportunity to as
certain is entire accuracy and because 1t Will explain
much Of the military preparations and movements OF
troops through the Safe of Maryland il is proper TO
bring it your attention. 0THo SCOTT.
RoBSRr VI. MCLASE.
WIN j. Ross.
To the General Assembly Of Maryland Frederick, May
Oh, 1861.
This report referred to joint committee on federal
relations.