Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-05-19
DEPARTMENT OF ANNAPOLIS, i

fila DEPARTMENT OF ANNAPoLIs,l III
HEAD QUARTERs, ANNAPOLIS. Mays
To His Ereeiieney John A, Andrea, Governor
p and Commander in-Chiy. 80 .fa-. 'i
Sir: have delayed replying TO your excel
lency's dispatch OF the 25th April in my other
dispatches, because, as II involved only disap.
probation of an act done, couched in the kind
est language, supposed the interest of the
country could not suffer from the delay; and in
cessant labor up to the present moment has pre-
vented my giving full consideration tol the
topic Temporary illness, which forbds bodily
activity, gives me now moments pause.
The telegraph, with more than usual accu-
racy, had rightly informed your excellency that
II had offered the services Of the Massachusetts,
troops, under my command, to aid the authori.
ties of Maryland In euppressing threatened
slave insurrection. Fortunately for US, all the
rumor ofsuch an outbreak was without substan
t;al foundation Assuming, as your excellency
does, in your dispatch, that carrying on military
operations In an enemy's country when war
a Ientranoe was to be waged, my act might be q
matter of discussion. And in that view, acting
In the light OF the Baltimore murderers and the
apparently hostile position of Maryland, your
excellency might, without mature reflection,
have come TO the conclusion Of disapprobation
expressed in your dispatch. But the facts, es-
pecially as now aided by their results, will en-
tirely justify my act, and reinstste me in your
excellency's good opinion. ',5s ~, 9 .
True, | landed on the soil Of Maryland
against the formal protest Of Its Governor
and Of the corporate authorities Of Annapo-
lis, but, without any armed opposition on
their part, and expecting opposition only
from insurgents assembled In riUtous con-
tempt of the laws Of this State. Before, by
letter, and at the time of landing, by personal
interview, | had informed Gov. Hicks that
bsoldiers Of the Union, under my command,
4 were armed only against the insurgents and
disturbers Of the peace of Maryland and OIL
the United States. / received from Governor
Hicks assurances Of the loyalty Of the State
4 to- the Union--aseuranoes which subsequent
events have fully justified. The Mayor OF
| Annapolis also informed me that the city
authoiitles would in no wise oppose me, but
that j was in great danger from the excited
and riotous mobs of Baltimore pouring down
upon me, and In great numbers beyond the
| control Of bis police. assured both the Gov
ernor and the Mayor thai / had no fear of a
| Baltimore or any other mob. and that, supported
by the authorities Of the State and city, should
repress all hostile demonstrations against the
laws of Maryland and the United States, and
that would protect myself and the city of An
napolis from any disorderly persons whatsoever.
On the morning following my landing, was In.
formed that the city of Annapolis aud environs
were in danger from an insurrection of the
slave population, in defiance of the laws of the
State. What was ! to do7 had promised to
put down white mob and 10 preserve and en-
force the laws against that. Ought to allow
black one any preference in q breach of the
lawsf ! understood that was armed against
all infractions Of the laws, whether BY white or
black, and upon that understanding Iacted, Ger.
tainly with promptness and efficacy. And your
excellency's shadow OF disapprobation, arising
| from Misunderstanding Of the facts has, caused
all the regret have for that action. The ques.
ton seemed to me to be neither military nor 20
litical and was not to be go treated. Il was
simply question Of good faith and honesty Of
purpose. The benign effect Of my course was in
stantly seen. The good but timid people Of An
napolis, who had fled from their houses at our
approach, Immediately returned; business re-
sumed It's accustomed channelsI quiet and order
prevailed 10 the city; confidence took the place
Of distrust, friendship. of epDity, brotherly
kindness Of sectional hate, aud believe, to day,
there is no city in the Union more loyal than
the city Of Annapolis. think, therefore,
may safely point TO the results for my justiica.
tion. The vote Of the neighboring county Of
~ Ias;so utys s,noe' hoa iop ns oeegee oo 70
.a, s nes,',a,ue, WHEREIN t'9vv out Of yVuo
,hs iio;on Ie sn,vsn ieI aelegsIe favorable 70
s.sasos ps - enlyps .8s lrany naPpy Hui,s oi
usss .n;. =. purpVse' enS'ency OF ac.ion, ana IN
.ss,nJ w, VI niss'on' l1oeleve, inoeeo, tnat u
~ @ ,s ~. nsqulG sPsrsonsi lnsercnenge oi views,
-. ~ Sssse''su AZ yonr oisPalcn, 70 pring our
u,ii ~ aros'uAAseia simple statement oil
iAg,e "ti suinoe,. tt .ayc
ous alh W ecs hefeaiter, " may be, in an
ehemys ~ country, among sefVile population,
waen we question may arise, as II has not yet
aliseh, ss ven IN moral ana christian, as Ia a
Ponmcai anu mihaiy point oi VIEW What
snai tnen GOT VIII your Excelleney bear
WIN me moment Ehiie tpis question Is dis
eu5seu. alls, 81 70 s,.l .F9iia M
=, aPpreoi9te iniiy your Exceilency's sngges-
Ion as 70 me inherent weakness Of the reb.
e1, arising from the preponderance Of their
ssruie population The question, then, IL,
IN VIVA. manner snail wedtake advantage Of
lnas Wesknessi bylsalloving, and OF course,
srming tnat population,g tofrise upon the de
Itnseiess women and children Of the country,
carrying raplne' arson and murder-all the
norrors OF pan Domingo, million times
magnihso' among those whom we hope to
unl,e sish us sspreihren, many Of whom are