Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-05-17

MAJOR browns REPLY TO GOVERNOR HICKS.
The following is statement sent to the Lee
gislGture by Major Brown in reply to Governor
Hicks denial Of having approved or authorized
the destruction OF the bridges:-
TO Me Honorable The General ASSEMBLY Of Mary
land:
In the report recently made to your honorable
body by the Board of Police Commissioners of
the City of Baltimore, it is stated that in the
great emergency which existed in this city on
the 18th ult, it is suggested that the most feast
be if not the only practical mode of stopping for
time the approach oftroops to Baltimore, was
to obstruct the Philadelphia, Wilmington and
Baltimore, and the Northern Central Railroad,
by disabling some of the bridges GU both roads.
And it ia added that "his Honor, the Mayor,
stated to the Board that his Exoeency, the
Governor, with whom he had n few minutes
before been in consultation, in the presence Of
several citizens, concurred in these views"
As this concurrence has since been explicitly
denied by his Excellency, Gov. Hicks, in an Of
fetal communication addressed TO the Senate of
Maryland on the 9TH instant, which have just
seen, il ia due to myself that should lay before
you the grounds on which the statement was
made to the Board Of Police; on which they, as
we'll as myself acted | seriously regret that
80 grave misunderstanding exists between the
Governor and myself on so important subject.
On the evening Of the 10th nltimo, and after
the collision had taken place. l mentioned to
Governor Hicks that had begun to fear that it
might be necessary TO burn the railroad Bridges,
NApt 1 did not them ia consequence ofintelligence
mich had been received, think it would be- To
which he replied that he had no authority to
give such an order.
At about II o'clock, p. NJ, of the same day,
the Hon. II. Lenox Bond, George W. Dobbiu
and John G. Bruno, Esqs., were requested by
nl.u aV.A 40 80 nnIt Fns
ton in special train which was provided for the
purpose, to explain in person the condition oil
things in Baltimore, and to bear the following
communications from Governor Hicks and my
self, which were addressed to the President =
at about IL O'clock p. NJ, (Aprl 49, thu
Hon E. Louis Lowe and Marshal George P
Kane called at my house, where Governor Hick
WAS passing the night, and Marshal Kane in
formed me that telegram had been received
that other troops were to come to Baltimore owe
the Northern Central Railroad There was ais
report that troops were on their way who, i
was thought, might even then be at Perryyill
on their route to Baltimore. MIR. Lowe, Marsha
Kane, my brother John Cumming Brown, AM
myself went Immediately to the chamber Of Go
vernon Hicks, and laid tho matter before him
The point was pressed that if troops were sud
denly to come TO Baltimore with determination
to pass through, n terrible collision and blood
shed would take place, and the consequences /
Baltimore would be fearful, and that the onl,
way to avert the calamity was to destroy III
bridges. To this the Governor replied-"I
seems to be necessary or words to that elfec
He was then asked by me whether he gave hi
assent to the destruction Of the bridges, and b
distinctly, although apparently with great re
luotanoe, replied in the Affirmative ] do nc
assert that hive given the precise languag
used by Gov Hicks, but am very clear that
have stated it with substantial correctness, an
that his assent was unequivocal, and in hnswe
to question by me which elected a distnc
affirmative reply.
After this, but before the interview was ovel
two gentlemen came into the room, both of the
strangers to me- but one was introduced as
brother Of Gov Hicks, and am confident TIL
the assent of the Governor to the burning of Il
bridges was repeated in the presence Of thol
gentlemen.
went Immediately from the chamber Of Il
Governsr to the office Of the Marshal of Polio
where Charles Howard, Esq, the President
Police, was waiting, and reported to him Il
assent Of the Governor to the destruction of II
bridges.
Mr. Howard, or some one else, made furth
INQUIRY as to what had been said by the Cover
or, whereupon Mr.. Lowe, Marshal Kane, al
mys brother, John c. Brown, all declare th
they we're present at the interview, and heai
Governor Hicks give his assent,
The order to destroy the bridges was accor
ipRly given, and carried out in the manner Q
ready reported to your honorable body.
- refer to the accompanying statement of o.
Kane and Mr. j. G. Brown in confirmation
the correctness of my recolleetions Of what o
CURED at the interview with Governor HICKS.
With great respect your obedient servant
GEo. VIM BRowH.
Letters from Mayor Browns brother, ]. Cur
ming Brown, Marshal Kane and ex-GOvsrn