The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-29
tf|om he Annapolis Gazette, AprH 25
AFFAIRS At ANNApOTIS

reasonable deduction from what we haar is irnos
sbe.
We think there is no doubt that Gen. Scott hos
made our city the point at which to land his troops
for the defence of Washington. Certainly, thon-
sands have landed here, and railroad is in mill
tary occupancy, while the Naval Academy is held
as point for landing.
We think it equally certain that the ship Consti-
tuition is stationed in our Roads to protect trans
ports in entering our harbor, and she also COM
mands the Chesapeake at this point so that no
vessel can go up down the bay it she chooses to
| stop them. Our telegraph wires also in pos
| session of the federal troops, and thus cut
off from communication with the rest of the world.
Rumors reached here on Tuesday that the ne
groeS across the Severn in a state of nsurrec-
| tion. Brig. Gen. Butler Immediately offered to
place his troops at the command of Governor
Hicks to help to quel the insurrection, which offer
the Governor courteousIy declined.
When the troops seized the railroad Gov. Hicks
sent to Gen. Butler protest against the act
/ Ten Butler, in reply, justified it as act Of mill
tary necessity.
In consequence of the fact that it will be~aImost
| impossible Tor the members of the Legislature to
reach Annapolis, Gov. Hicks has ordered that they
assemble in Frederick.
The people of Annapolis highly indignant at
| the occupation OF our city. But are pOwerless
| to oppose them. Yielding to the advice of the
more prudent, our people have refrained from any
| open demonstration against the troops. Horses
|
strangers, at high prices, for cash.
| We are beginning, too, to be in a strait for
provisions. There is scarce enough here to last
the citizens three days, and we have yet been
| unable to procure any from Baltimore. 1t was
stated yesterday that the officers in command of
the troops had offered to supply the citizens with
| food, they having yesterday morning received sup
| plies from some point up the bay. We cannot
vouch for the correctness of this.
| On Tuesday some OF our slave-owners waited on
| zen. Butler to know whether when bis troops
should take up their line of march, he would per-
init slaves to fall in and follow. The General was
highly indignant, and said that none should be per-
| mltted to approach the troops their route.
1t seems to be the impression that the Legsia-
ture Will pass an ordinance of secession. The feel
ing hereabouts is almost unanimous on the subject.
We have reports from Charles and Prince
Georges to the effect that the people throwing
up batteries on the Patuxent and Potomac, and
were expecting aid from Virginia.
| Inc excitement here is terrible. No man seems
to know what should be done to avert the evil
that has come upon Us; and all admit that we are
utterly powerless to offer any resistance.
| PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF
VIRGINIA.
| Whereas, In the emergency which was supposed
to exist during the past week, arising from iufor-
nation that an invasion of the rivers of the State
was about to be made, and the movements of the
vessels OF the United States with troops into the
waters OF this Commonwealth and the unusual deS
truction of public property by the agents Of that
| Government, both at Harper's Ferry and at the
| Gosport Navy \ ard. gave ample reason for such
| belief; and whereas, under such circumstances
sundTv vessels in the waters of the James river the
! Rappahannock, York and Potomac rivers and their
! tributaries, have been seized and detained by the
authorities of the State, or officers acting under
patriotic motives without authority ,and it is proper
| that such vessels and property should be promptly
restored to the masters in command or to the
ers thereof; therefore, |, John Letcher, Governor
! OF the Commonwealth, do hereby proclaim that all
private vessels and property so seiz,d detained,
with the exception Of the steamers JAM stown aud
yorktown, shall be released and delivered up the
! said masters or owners. Proper Navy officers have
been assigned to each of the rivers of the State
herein mention d, with orders to release such yes.
sells and property and give certificates for damages
| incurred by the seizure and detention.
| feel it my duty, furthermore, to advise the
| people of the Commonwealth mot in the military
service of the State) to return to their usual avO
cations, in connection with the trade and commerce
of the country, assuring them protection and de
fence. If war is to be inaugurated by an attempt
to invade this Common wealth, or to use coercion
against the Southern Confederate States, contn-
gcucy dependent the action of the Government
OF the United States it shall be met and conducted
by this Commonwealth upon principles worthy of
civilized nations and of this enlightened age. |
appeal to all people not to interfere with peace
able, uaciending citizens or others who preserve
the peace and conform to our laws, and do hereby
especially dscountenauce all acts of seizure of prop
ertv without authority of law, and require that
order shall be restored, and that all the laws be ad
mnistered and executed by the tribunals especially
assigned for the purprse.
(c-0 Given under my hand as Governor and
| l.. under the seal of the Commonwealth, at
| 49, Richmond 24th of April, 1861, and in the
85th year of the Commonwealth.
JOHN LETCHER.
GEORGE W. MUNFoRD,
| Secretary of the Commonwealth.
The following officers Of the State Navy are as
! signed to the duties required by this proclama-
! tiOn.
For James River-Captain Cooke and Comman-
| der Tucker.
For Potomac River-Captain Forrest, Lieut.
! Semmes
For Rappahannock River-Lieut Lewis.
| For York River-Commander J. l.. Henderson
and Lieut.. l.. $. Maury.
ANOTHER PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, Volunteers are simultaneously tender
ing their services, in person, from all parts of the
State, without waiting for orders, as they were
! quired to do by former proclamation, and
! repairing to Richmond, without previous notice,
| at great expense to the Common wealth, and be-
| fore suitable provision has been made for their
comodation, and before their services required
these are therefore, to require all companies not
| now in Richmond and not ordered here or else
where, to remain at their homes holding them
selves simply in readiness for service, until order
| ed by competent authority. All persons engaged
in making artillery harness or other equip ipments,
or on any other special duty for the State are ex
cmpted from military service, without express or
| ders to the contrary And no company will be
mustered into service unless the complement of
men prescribed by law shall have been obtained.
Given under my hand, &C.,
JonN LETCHER.
By order of the Governor.
| GEORGE w. MUNFoRD.
| Secretary of the Commonwealth.
PUBLIC MEETING OF CITIZENS AND MILL
TARY OF CHARLES COUNTY.
On Monday, April 22d, 1861, large and enthu-
sastic meeting of both citizens and military was
held at the Court House, in Port Tobacco. for the
| purpose OF considering the present crisis and
adopting measures for the defence of our rights,
the protection of homes, and the repelling in
vasions of hostile troops The meeting orga-
nized by calling Judge Francis H. Diggs to the
| Chair; Judge George p. jenkins and John Hamil
ton were selected Vice Chairmen, and j. ID. Mid
| dletOn Secretary.
| Major VIM. b. Stone offered the following reso-
lutiOns, which were unanimously adopted:
ReSoIred That heartily approve the resistance of
the citizens of Baltimore to the passage of Northern
armed fanatics through their city and this State for the
purpose coercing the citizens of the South and
establishing military despotism at Washington.
RtSotced That sincerely sympathze with the friends
and all patriotic citizens III their sorrow Tor the loss oil
those who ruthlessy murdered by armed enemies
| of their and rights freemen.
ReSo'red That the citizens Of Charles county offer
their services repe attack and drive back those
who invad- and polute the soil of Maryland
Resoired. That we instruct delegates and most
earnestly and respectfully recommend all the delegates
to the State Convention, Immediately upon assembling,
70 .es an ordinance of secessinn and submit IL n no
whole people of Marya the earliest pract
cable, and take all other steps enable Mary to
stand by TIE sde of her honored sister Virginia and others
| of the South.
ResoIred. That we request our Commissioners of the
Tax provide by loan otherwise the Of least
twenty five thousand dollars to purchase arms for the
| citizens of the county
FesoIred That the comm nding officer officers
the citizens be enrolled, mustered and equipped with
| the utmos. despstch.
ResoIred That the citizens be requested to guarantee
| the above loan.
Reolred That Chair appoints Committee of Safety,
consisting of eight three being quorum, who shah he
fully authorized to act for the peace and defence of all the
| rights Of cur citizens.
The Chair, in pursuance of the above resolution,
appointed the following gentlemen said commit
! tee:-F Stone, } T Padgett, Gen. W Mitchell,
| John Hamilton, George Brent, Major William
| Stone Colonel +. Thompson, and Major }. I
| SOddert.
The meeting was addressed by Major Stone, Cen
! Nj Icbell, George Brent, Barnes Compton, Stone,
! Capt. Cox, John Hamilton and others, each pledg
ing himself in favor of the resolutions.
| FAMINE IN INDGA.-The accounts of the famine
| are as bad as ever. The Bombay Gazette saws:
An eyewitness declares that the statements
which have been published of the extent and
! rity of the suffering are in wise exaggerated
Extensive districts throughout the northwest, which
in times of prosperity like the "garden of the
| Lord" are now uncultivated and desert. The ce-
| reals have not been sOwn, in most cases Tor want
| of ran in other cases for want of seed, the seed
| having been consumed for food, and the Bunneas
refusing to advance there is no prospect OF a
remunerative return. The prospects tor the tulure
are as dark and gloomy, therefore, as the present
distress is grievous. The people throughout the
countrv have contributed literally for the relief OF
the sufferers Bombay has given one lac and thirty
| tbousand rupees. Calcutta has given an equal sum-
| Aid from Madras is vet to be raised. What would
! such an amount of money do, under the most
favorable circumstances, to save three millions peO
| ple from perishing for lack of bread? more gil
! gantic effort must yet be made throughout India.