The Placer herald., 1861-06-15
DEPARTMENT or ANNAPOLIS,


IInApQuARrERs. ANNAPOLIS, May 7. 1861.
To his Excecncy, John \. A" drew, Governor
and Commlnder-n Chiefs Sir: | have delayed
replying to your EXccllcncy dispatch OF the 10Th
April, in my other dispatches. because as it in
vovcd only disapprobaion Of an act done,
couchcd in the kndeSt language. | supposed the
interests Of the country could not suffer in the
delay; and ncessanl labor up to the present mo-
mcnt, has prevented me giving full considera
tion to the topic. Temporary illness which for
bids bodily activity. gives me now moments
pause.
The telegraph with more than usual accuracy,
had rightly inlormcd your EXcellcncy that had
offered the services of the Massachusetts troops
under my commanl to aid the authorities of
Maryland in suppre,sng threatened slave in
surrcction. Fortunately for us ALL the rumor Of
such an outbreak was without substantial found;l-
ton. Assuming, rs your ENcclency does, in
your dispatch that was carrying on military
operations in the encmy's country, when u war
Il lcntrancc WAS to be wagcd, my act might be
matter of discussion. And in that view, acting
in the H. ght of the Baltimore murders, and the
apparent hostile position of Maryland, your EX-
ccllcncy light, without mature rejection. have
come to the conclusion of dsapprobation cX-
pressed in your dispatch. But the facts, espcci-
ally as now aided by their results, will cnti'cly
Justify my act and reinstatc me in your EXcclen-
cy's good opinion.
True, landed on the soil of Maryland against
the formal protest OF It's Governor and OF the cor
porltc authorities of Annapolis, but without any
armed opposition on their part and expecting
opposition only from insurgents assembled in
rioous contempt of the laws of this State. Be
fore. by letter. and ut the time OF landing by
personal interview | had informed Governor
Hicks that soldiers OF the Union under my com
mind were armed only against the insurgents
and disurbcrs of the peace OF Maryland and OF
the United States. | received from Governor
Hicks assurances of the loyalty Of the State to
the Union assurances which subsequent events
have luly justified. The Mayor Of Annapolis
also informed me that the city authorities woulG
in no wise oppose me-, but that | WAS in great
danger from the excited and rio'ous mobs OF
Baltimore pouring down upon me- and in num-
bcrs beyond the control Of the police. | had as
sured both the Governor and the Mayor that
had no fear of Baltimore or other mob. and
that supported by the authorities Of the State
and city should repress all hostile dcmonslra-
tons gainst the laws OF Maryland ANA the Uni
ted States that would protect both myself aud
! the city of Annapolis from any disordrrly per-
sons whatsoever On the morning following my
| landing WAS informed that the city Of Annapo-
| lis and environs were in danger from any insur-
rection of the slave population, in defiance Of
the laws of the State. What was | to do? had
promised to put down white mob and preserve
aad enforce the laws against that. Ought TO
allow n black one any preference in breach Of
| the laws? understood that was armed against
all nlractions of tie law whether by white or
black, and upon that understanding acted, GER
tainly with promptness and .ihclency. Ana
your Excellcncys shadow OF dsapprobation, arls-
inc from Il misunderstanding Of the facts, has
caused all the regrets | have for that action.
The question seemed to me TO be neither military
or liical, and was not to be so treated. 1t was
simply Il question Of good faith and honesty OF
purpose. The benign effect OF my course was in
stanty seen. The good but tmid people of An
,l,,i, hat,,.1 1,,t
proach Immediately returned, business resumed
its accustomed channels; quiet and order prevail
ed in the city: confidence took the place of dis
trust, friendship of enimity brotherly Kindness
of sectional hate, and believe to-day there is
no city in tAc Union more loyal than the city OF
Annapolis. | think. therefore, may safely point
to the results for my Justification. The vote OF
the ncighboring couny Of Washington. few
DAYS since for its delegates to the Legislature,
wherein 900 out of 5000 votes were thrown for
"A delegate favorable to the Union, is among the
many happy fruits of irmncss OF purpose. ell
cheney of action, and integrity of mission. be-
lieve, indeed that it will not require personal
interchange of views as suq gested in your dis
patch to bring our minds in accordlnce SIM
ple statement of the facts will suffice
But am to act hereafter. it may he. in an enc
my's country, among a servile population. wheh
the question may arise, as 1t has not arisen, as
well in u moral and Christian as in political
and military point of view, What shall | do?
Will your Exccllcncy bear with me moment
while this question is discussed?
/ appreciate fully your Excellency's sugges-
ton as to the inherent weakness OF the rebels,
arising from the preponderance OF their servlie
population. The question: then, is, In what man
ner shall we take advantage of that weakness?
BY allowing, and, of.coursc, urming that popula-
ton to rise upon the deienseless women and chill
dren of the country carrying rapne, arson aud
murder. all the horrors Of San Domingo, mil