Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-02-21

ABSTRACT OF Gov HIcKs's TESTIMONY BEToRE
The INVESTIGATING COMMITTEES. Upon being
summoned before the investigating COMMITTEES,
Gov. Hicks expressed a desire not TO connect any
names with bis testimony, as 10 might possibly
close up avenues Of information that might here
after be important. The chairman then read an
extract from the Governors proclamation Of Jan.
I'd, 1851 In relation 10 seizing the Capitol, &c. To
which Gov. Hicks replied that he had no personal
knowledge of that, but would give the basis for
First, letter written by firm in Charleston, 9.
Jan. 10, lS60, to a commercial house In France.
Second, a publication or programme In tie Rich
mond Enquirer Of the 18th December last, and the
substance Of which was published in the National
lntelligencsr of the 3lst ult Thst publication
alone would have made very little impression
upon bis mind. but several distinguished gentle
men, whose names he would prefer not to use
one commissioner from a sister Stste-made
statements that satisfied him that an effort would
be made to defeat the Inauguration Of Mr.. Lin
coin; from which he formed the opinion that
there would be attempt at violence on or before
the 4th Of March.
He then had an interview with a committee
from Baltimore, who urged him TO callthe Legis-
lature together. The interview was held the day
before Christmas, in which taunts were used and
illusions made TO his personal ssfety IL he per-
sisted in his refusal TO call the Legislature IT,
gether, together with threats Of shedding blood,
and preventing the Inauguration Of Mr.. Lincoln.
On the next morning after the interview be re-
ceived two anonymous letters, in which he was
advised Of a movement on foot to bring to bear
d
call together the Legislature, and then, IL the
Legislature was called, to pass resolutions carry
ing Maryland with the South, In order that the
Capitol might he seized by an armed force. The
following Sabbath gentleman from Washington
called upon hm-four or five others were pres
ent-who went over very much the same grounds
set forth by the Richmond Enquirer Of the 18th
of December that the design was 10 break up the
Government, carry Maryland with the South,
that the cess'on Of the District to the United
States should cease, and they might get possession
Of this Capitol and the archives Of the Govern
ment. His brother manifested some feeling that
be should be connected with those engaged in
this movement, and he explained bv saying that
he could not help knowing about IL. He described
the leader Of the movement, and after he left the
room they all agreed upon the same individual az
the one he had described. He gave the exact
number of men who were recently organizing
here and in Baltimore.
With reference to Judge Handy, of Miss, Gov.
Hicks said:
''Judge Handy said to me, among other things,
that Lincoln and Hamlin never would be installed
into office. ] reminded him Of what the Consti-
tuition said about State entering into agree
ment with another and he said they had watched
that point, and did not intend TO violate the Con-
stitution. ] asked him how he would obviate the
difficulty He said they wanted Mississippi TO 20
out, say today, Maryland tomorrow, and on
until all the States south of Mason and Dixon's
line were out. and then they would form a South
ern Union. ] reTlied that though I deprecated
| the election of Lincoln as much as he or any man
could, did not think il was a for brea king
up this Union; that If the devil had been elected
| President of the United States, in a lawful man.
ner, should not like to see the Union broken up
because of thai"
He had become satisfied that there is no present
danger from without the State Of Maryland Of any
concerted action against the District of Columbia
or the Federal property there. He did not believe
that any such party now existed in Maryland, al
though at one time he believed IL was seriously
contemplated. During the trouble and excitement
consequentupon the John Brown raid, he received
a number of copies Of letters from Gov Wise, all
of which were anonymous but one and that was
written from Washington county. He thinks Il
would have been far better IL Secretary FLOYD had
paid attention to the letters he received and which
| subsequent events proved to be Of importance.
The letters he gov Hicks received, at this time
were much more specific, and entitled to more
credit than those were IL he believed, for a mo-
ment, that IL would conduce to the public inter-
est or safety, he would leave all this pile Of letters
with the Committee, which he deemed SO import
| ant to himself
In concluding his testimony, he said: al be-
lieve that there was at one time organization
to attack the public property In the District, but
| do not believe IL exists now, though Ii may
now In Baltimore, limited in numbers and power,
for the purpose Of thwartng the regular course OF
public affairs, not TO attack the public property
| in this District. This is mere opinion, based
upon such information as I have stated here
But cannot put my finger upon any fact directly
connected with it.