Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-27
Letter from Lieut.. GOV. ReynOIds, of mis-.
souri,. 20 judge CatFOn.

cry respectfully yours,
THos. c. REYNOLDS.
NASHVILLE, Tern, July %, 1861.
SIR: On the 18th inst. you did me the honor, in
a note addressed 10 me as Lieut.. Gov REYNOLDS
to request an interview in order ".o make some
inquiries about Missouri afflirs." In that inter-
view respectfully informed you that in common,
as believed with the ether State authorities of
Missouri, ! regarded the present unhappy contes.
in that State as, at the least, civil wa p and
likely soon to becoEe, by her formal union with
the Confederate States, or simple dissolution of
her union with the United States, an ordinary
war between powers independent of each other,
both of right and in fact. 1 cited to you the
general public law, stated by YATTEr, concern
ing the rights of the respective parties to civil
war, ard the duty of courts of law of each to
decline jurisdiction of charges of treason and like
offences, made ag4inst adherents of the other l
referred to the established doctrine of the U. S.
Courts that the general public and international
| law Is part of the Supreme law Of the United
States and expressed the opinion that the exist
\ ence of civil war Of the magnitude Of that now
convusing this country, (waiving the question of
! its being an ordinary war } was fact of which
even the L. S. Courts ought to take judicial notice
for their guidance in determining the law relating
to it; an opinion confirmed by the circumstance that
the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States
in his report accompanying the last message of
President LINCOLN, charcterzes it. in express terms
as "civ war;" and as the difference between
mere instruction or treason, and civil war, de-
ponds upon the magnitude of the contest, recent
military events should remove all technical scrupes
,c. 81, tI,a TaIs
fully stated that in the unfortunate event. then con-
sidered probable of the capture of Gov JACKSON by
the forces opposing him, it would be my duty to
exercise, acting Executive OF Missouri, the bel
gerent right Of ret Iiation, to protect him and all
his adherents against Judicial other proceedings
unsanctioned by the laws of war. How far you
concurred in, or dissented from, these views it is
unnecessary here to discuss.
"On my return, on yesterday, from Virginia on
my way to Missouri, saw a copy, which believe
to be authentic of your charge presiding justice
of the U. S Court for the District of Missouri, to
the Grand Jury of that Court at its special term
which commenced on the Slh inst.
The newspapers of st. Louis announce that many
indictments have been in that Court found sg4ints
persons whose names and ailedged offences are
concealed, as usual, because they are not in cua-
tody. From the tenor OF your charge, and the at
tanlant circumstances, infer that those indict-
ments are for transactions connected with the exis
ting war between the Confederate States, and the
Unitel States, or the similar contes. in Missouri.
As far as my official authority or personal infu-
ence extends shall use all the means in my power
to have the laws of civilized war strictly and hu-
namely observed by all parties to this contest. As
the State authorities Of Missouri consider, and l
think with full reason the forces there under L. s.
officers TO be in manifest rebellion against Cor stu
tiOnal State laws and technically liable to punish.
ment for treason 70 the State, the humane course
suggest IS concession to the supremacy of gene
raj public law and the only mode of preventing the
war from becoming one of the most cruel and
bloody in the history of mankind.
The executive authorities of the United States
will no doubt be duly notified of the intention of
the State authorities of Missouri always to observe
the laws, and claim the rights, of regular civilized
warfare. But as the Judiciary of the United States
is in many respects, Independent of executive con-
troll. and as ! desire my conversation with you on
the 4th inst, to be Enthusiastically understood, deem
1t my dsagreeabe duty, in the absence of the Gov
ernor of Missouri, promptly and respectfully to in
form you, as the presiding Justice Of the United
States Circuit Court for the Districts of Missouri
(and through you, the Court itself) that all pro
ceedings of United States Courts or their officers in
Missouri, designed to punish any person for adher-
ing 10 the State authorities, otherwise partcipat-
ing in the war between the North and South will
be regarded by those authorities simply as beger-
ent acts of the Northern party to that W arr and
that consequently, in accordance with unquestiona-
bic public and international law retaliation ample.
stern unrelenting and if necessary bloody, will be
used by the State authorities to protect their adher
ens from insult injury by any such proceedings.
state this with certainty to myself, and with
entire confidence to Gov. Jackson and all taking
sides with him in the present contest. have en-.
tire confidence that the of exercising this
talistiOn, partially secured already, will soon be
more than ample.
This letter is designed simply as an official
notice, usual in war, and made on behalf of myself
and all other officers of Missouri sustaining the
State authority your established reputation for
Judicial frmness, and the friendly personal rela-
lions which have long existed between US, and
which l am anxious to continue, are ample guar
antees that do intend it, and you will not re-
gard it, as a menace.
Il do not presume that this notice viii call for |
any from you should you think differently,
it is proper for to add that propose to leave |
this city to morrow, and any communication ad-
dressed to me, to the care Of Gov HARRIS of this |
State will be promptly forwarded.
/" With sentiments of high esteem, l have the |
honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient |
servant, Tnos. G. REYNOLDS,
Lieut.. Governor of Missouri.
To Hon. JOHN CATRoN, Justice of the United States
Supreme Court and presiding Justice of the /
United States Court for the District of Missouri |
1t is stated, by Northern papers, that volunteer |
regiment on the march to Manassas and belonging |
to the Grand Army" of Hessians went back from |
Fairfax Court House to be mustered out of service,
hanarae their time hid exnired ON that dau Thau