The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-13
DESTRUCTION OF THE BRIDGES.
Mayor Browns Reply to Governor Hicks

The following is the statement sent to the Lesis
lature by Mayor Brown in reply to Governor Hicks
denial OF having approved or authorized the &C.
structlon of the bridges:
TO the Honorable, h General Assemblyof Maryland:
IN the report recently made your honorable body ly
the Board of Police Commissioners of the city of BALI
more 1t is stated that in the great emergency which
ted III this city the 18th ut it was suggested that
the most feasible, if not the only practicable mode Of
stopping for time the approach of roOps to Baltimore
obStruct the Philadephia WiIminrton and Rail-;
more and the Northern Central Railroads. by disabling
some OF the bridges both roads And it is added th,
ms henor the Mayor, stated to the Board that his Ex-
Ceiehcy The Governor, with whom he had few minutes
before been in consultation in the presence of
citizens, concurred in these views"
AS thls concurrence has since been explicitly denicS
py ms ENcellency, Governor Hicks in official com
municaton addressed to the Senate Maryland on the
4th instant, which have just SEEN is due to myself
that should lay before you the grounds on which the
statement was made to the Board of Police which
as wen as myself acted seriously regret that grave
Misunderstanding exists between the Governor and my
self on so important subject
On the evening of the 18th utmo, and after the COLI
SION had taken place, mentioned Governor Hicks that
had begun to fear that it might he necessary to burn
me railroad bridges but did not then in consequence
nteIsehce which had been received, think it would BE-
TO which he replied that he had authority to give suc
order. ~ o. 49,
At about II O'clock P. NJ. of the same dav the Hon
II. LenoX Bond, George W. Dohbn and John C. Brure
Esqs, were requested by Gov icks and myself to 20
10 Washington in special train, which provided or
the purpose to explain person the condition of things
ID Baltimore and to bear the following communications
from Gov Hicks and myself, which addressed 70
the President.
Here follows the letter of Mayor Brown to 'he
President, and Gov. Hicks approval of the remn-
strance against sending any more troops through
the city, all of which was published at the time.
AT about u O'Clock P NJ, April l9l the Hon. F. Lo,i.
Lowe and Marshal George P. Kane called at my hose
where Governor HICKS passing the night and Mar
shal Kane informed me that telegram had been re.
ceVed mat other troops were to to Baltimore ever
the Northern Central Railroad There was also n re,ort
that troops were on their way who, it was thought
might even then be at Perryvie their route to Rti
more Mr.. Lowe, Marshal Kane, my brother John Gum
ming NH brown and myself went Immediately to the Clam
per OF Governor Hicks, and laid the matter before hin
Inc point was pressed that if troops suddeny to
come to Baltimore with determination to pass tbrogh
terrible collision and bloodshed would take place and
the consequences to Baltimore would fearful andhat
the only way to avert the calamity to destroy the
bridges To this the Governor replied-"it seems u he
necessary or words to that effect
he was then asked by whether he gave his consent
10 the destruction Of the bridges and he disnctl, al
though apparently with great reluctance replied il the
alnrmatVe do not assert that have given the precise
language used by Governor Hicks but am very lear
that have stated it with substantial correctness and
that ms assent was unequivocal, and in answer to
ply. '1'' '''l' AA'''' IL :
After this but before the interview was over two GEN
eeh came into the room, both of them strangers c me
but one was introduced brother of Governor cks.
ana am confident that the the Governor u the
Durnng Of the bridges repeated in the presence of
those gentlemen.
went Immediately from the chamber of the Governor
10 he ONCE OF the Marshal of Police where Charles How
u' Esq the PRESIDENT of the Board Of Police was va
ing and reported to him the of the Governtr to
the destruction of the bridges
Mr.. Howard or some one else, made a further INQUIRY
as 70 what had been said by the Governor whereupon Mr.
lowe MARSHAL Kane and my brother John C. Brown all
declared that they present the interview and
heard Governor Hicks give his assent
Inc order to destroy the bridges accordingly given
honorable body. ~ '
reier to the accompanying statements of Col Zane
anu N u Brown, in confirm tion of the correctness
Governor Hicks. ~ NV WV"
With great respect your obedient servant
GEO. WIN Brown.
Letters from Mayor Browns brother 7 Cum.
ming Brown, Marshal Kane and Ex- Governor. Lowe
accompany the concentration. and corroborate
the statement of the Mayor that Gov Hicks autbos-
lied the destruction of the bridges.