Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-05-02
Message of the Governor
TO THE
LEGISLATURE OF MARY
LAND.

mon the Legislature in special session, IN
the hope that your wisdom may enable you
to devise prompt and effective means to re-
store peace and safety to our State.
shall detail briefly the startling events
which have induced me 10 summon you to-
gether, and which have so suddenly placed
us in the state of anarchy confusion and
danger from which sincerely trust you may
be able to extrica'e us.
Believing it to be the design Of the Ad-
ministration to pass over orr soil troops for
the defence of the city of Washington, and
fearing that the passage of such trno ps would
excite our people and provoke collision. la
bored earnestly to induce the President -
forego his purpose. waited upon him in
person and urged the importar ce Of my re-
quest. subsequently comm unicatcd with
him and his cabinet by special dispatches,
entreating an abandonment to their designs.
To all my requests | could get but the re-
ply: that Washington WAS threatened with
attack-that the Government had resolved
to defend it-that there was no other way
of obtaining troops than by passing them
over the soil of Mar land-and That the mil
itary necessity oftaC case rendered it impos-
sible for the Government to abandon its
plans, much as it desired to avoid the darI-
gers of collision My correspondence with
the authorities at Washington is herewith
submitted.
The consequences are known to you. On
Friday last detachment oftroops from Mas
sachusetts reached Baltimore. and was at
tackled by an irresponsible mob and sever
al b.,.l s;l,c L ,tl.I ia,
Mayor and Police Board gave the massachu-
sets soldiers n}l the protection they could
adord; acting with the utmost promptness
and bravery. But they We're poweress to
restrain the mob.
Beingin Baltimore at the time coopcra-
ted with the Mayor, to the fullest extent Of
my power, in his efforts. The military of
the city were ordered out to assist the preser-
walton Of the peace The railroad compa-
MES were requested by the Mayor and my
self to transport no more troops to Baltimore
City, and they promptly acceded to our re-
quest.
Hearing of the attack upon the soldiers, the
the War Department issued orders that no
more troops should pass through Baltimore
city, provided they were allowed to pass out
side Of its limits. Subsequently II ietach-
meme of troops was ascertained to be encam-
ped at or near Cockeysville. in Baltimore
county On being informed of this the War
Department ordered them back.
Before leaving Baltimore Col. IIuger, who
was in command Of the United States Arsen.
al at Pikesville informed me that he had re-
signed his commission. Being advised Of
the probability hat the mob might attempt
the destruction Of this property, ard there
by complicatc our difficulties with the author
tiles at Washington, ordered Col. Peth-
erbridge to proceed, with sufficient force and
occupy the premises in the name Of the Uni
ted States Government, Of which proceeding
Immediately notified the War Depart
mcnt.
On Sunday morning last discovered that
the detachment of troops, under command
of Brgadicr General B. +. Butler, has reach
cd Annapolis in steamer, and had taken
possession of the practice ship Consultation,
which. during that day, they succeeded in
getting outside the harbor Of Annapolis.
where she now lies. After getting the ship
off the steamer laid outside our harbor, and
was soon joined by another Steamer, having
on board the Seventh Regiment from New
York city.
Brgadier General Butler addressed me-.
asking permission to land his forces 1t
will be seen, from the correspondence here
with submitted, that | refused my consent
The Mayor of annapolis also protested. But
both steamers soon after landed at the Ma
val Academy and put off the troops Sub
sequcnty other large bodies of troops reach
ed here in transports and were landed. Twas
notified that the troops were to be marched
to Washington. They desired to go with
out obstruction from our people; but they
had orders to 90 to Washington, and were
determined to obey these orders. In fur
theranto Of their designs they took militia
ny possession of the Annapolis and Elk Ridge
Railroad; IN regard to which act forwarded
to Brigader General Butler the protest and
and received the reply herewith submitted.
On Wednesday morning the two detach-
ments first landed took up the line Ct march
for Washington. The people Of Annapolis,
though greatly exasperated, acting under
counsel Of the most prudent, citizens, re-
Trained from mUlestiug or obstructing the
passage Of the troops through the city.
Seriously impressed with the condition of
affairs, and anxious to avoid a repetition Of
events similar to those which had transpired
in Baltimore, deemed it my duty to make
another appeal to the authorities at Wash
ington. Accordingly sent special mes
senger to Washington. with despatch to
the Administration advising that no more
troops be sent through Maryland; that the
troops at Annapols he sent elsewhere and
urging that truce be offered, with a view
of peaceful settlement of existing difficult
ties by mediation. | suggested that Lord
Lyons, the British Minister, be requested to
act as mediator between the contending par
ties. The result of the mission will be seen
from the correspondence, herewith submit
ted.
These events have satisfied me that the
War Department has concluded to make
Annapolis the point for landing troops, and
has resolved to open and maintain commune
cation between this place and Washington.
In the brief time allowed it is impossible
for me to 90 more into detail. The docu
ments accompanying this message place be-
fore you all the information possessed by me.
| shall promptly communicate such other in
formation rs may reach me.
Notwithstanding the fact that our most
learned and intelligent citizens admit the
right of the Government to transport its
troops across our soil, it is evident that a
portion of the people of Maryland are oppo-
sed to the exercise of the right. have done
all in my power TO protect the citizens of
Maryland. and to preserve peace within our
borders. Lawless occurrences will be repea-
ted fear, unless prompt action be taken by
you.
1t is my duty to advise you Of my own
convictions OF the proper course to be pur-
sued by Maryland in the emergency which
is upon us. 1t is of no consequence now to
discuss the causes which have induced our
troubles. Let us look to our distressing pre-
sent and to our portentious future. The fate
Of Maryland and perhaps Of her sister Bor-
der Slave States will undoubtedly be serious
ly affected by the action of your honorable
body, Therefore should every good citizen