Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-05-03
THE SENTINEL.
GoyERNoR,s MESA GE.

STATE or MARYLAND. Executive CHAMBER /
ANNAPOLIS, April 25ih, 1861.
Gentlemen Of he Senate and House Of Delegates:
The extraordinary condition of affairs in
Maryland has induced me 10 exercise the con-
stitutional prerOgative vested in the Governor
to summon 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.
l shall detail briefly the startling events
which have induced me to summon you to-
gether, ard which have so suddenly placed us
in the state Of anarchy, confusion and danger
from which sincerely trust you may be able
10 extricate us.
Believing it to be the design Of the Admin
iJtration to pass over our soil troops for the
defence Of the City of Washington, and fear
ing that the passage Of such troops would ex-
cite our people and provoke collision, la
bored earnestly to induce the President to
forego his purpose. | waited upon him in per-
son and urged the Importance of my request.
subsequently communicated with him and
his cabinet by special dispatches, entreating
an abandonment Of their designs. To all my
requests could get but the reply: +" 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
Maryland--and that the military necessity Of
the case rendered it impossible for the Govern
ment to abandon its plans, much as it desired
10 avoid the dangers Of collision" My cor
respondence with the authorities ut Washing
ton is herewith submitted.
The consequences are known TO you. On
Friday last detachment Of troops from Mas
sachusetts reached Baltimore, and was attack
ed by an irresponsible mob and several persons
on both sideJ were killed. The Mayor and
Police Board gave TO the Massachusetts SOL
diers all the protection they could afford act
ing with the utmost promptncss and bravery.
But they were powerless to restrain the mob.
Being in Baltimore at the time, co-operated
with the Mayor TO fullest extent Of my power,
in his efforts. The military Of the city were
ordered out TO assist in the preservation of the
peace. The railroad companies were request
ed by the Mayor and myself to transport no
more troops 10 Baltimore, and they promptly
acceded to our request.
Hearing Of the attack upon the soldiers, the
War Department issued orders that no more
troops shond pass through Baltimore city,
provided they were allowed to pass outside its
limits. Subsequently detachment of troops
WIS ascertained 10 be encamped at or near
CocAeysville, in Baltimore county On being
informed Of this the War Department ordered
them back.
Before leaving Baltimore Col Huger, who
was in command of the u S. Arsenal at Pixies
vile informed me that he had resigned his
commission. Being advised of the probability
that the mob might attempt the destruction Of
this property, and thereby complicate our diff
hculties with the authorities at Washington,
ordered Col Petherbrdge TO proceed, with
sufficient force, and occupy the premises in
the name Of the United States Government;
Of which proceeding Immediately notified Abe
War Department.
On sunday morning last discovered that
detachment Of troops, under command of
Brig. Gen 3. r. Butler, had reached Annapo-
lie in a steamer, and had taken possession of
the practice ship Constitution, which, during
that day, they succeeded in getting outside
the harbor OF Annapolis, where she now lies.
After getting the ship oil, the steamer laid out
side our harhor, and was soon joined by
another steamer having on board the Seventh
Regiment from New York city.
Brig. Gen. Butler addressed me, asking for
permission to land his forces. II will be seen,
from the correspondence herewith submitted,
that ! refused my consent. The mayor Of
Annapolis also protested. But both steamers
soon afterwards landed at the Naval Academy
and put off the troops. Subsequently other
large bodies Of troops reached here in trans
ports and were landed. was notified that
the troops were to be marched TO Washington
They desired togo without obstruction from oui
people but they had orders TO go to Wash
ingion and were determined to obey those or
ders. In furiherance of their designs they
took military possession Of the Annapolis and
Elk Ridge railroad; in regard TO which act
forwarded TO Brig. Gen. Butler the protest and
received the reply herewith submitted. On
Wednesday morning the two detachments first
Al 4. =.
ton. The people Of Annapolis, though greatly
exasperated, acting under counsel of the most
prudent citizens, refrained from molesting or
obstructing the troops through the city
Seriously impressed with the condition Of
affairs and anxious TO avoid repetition Of
events similar to those which had transpired in
Baltimore, | deemed it my duty to make
another appeal to the authorities at Washing.
ton. Accordingly sent special messenge;
to Washington, with n dispatch to the admin
istration advising that no more troops be sent
through Maryland; that the troops at Annap
oils BE sent elsewhere and urging that true,
be offered with view Of peaceful settlement
Of existing difficulties by mediation. sug
Cested that Lord Lyons, the British Minister
he requested TO act us mediator between thu
contcnding parties. The result of the mission
will be seen from the correspondence herewith
submitted.
These events have satisfied me that the War
Department has concluded to make Annapolis
the point for landing troops, and has resolved
10 open and maintain communication between
this place and Washington.
In the brief time allowed IL is impossible
for me to go more iuto detail. The documents
accompanying this message place before you
all the information possessed by me. shall
promptly communicate such other informa.
tion as may reach me.
Notwithstanding the fact that our most
learned and intelligent citizens admit the right
Of the Government 10 transport its troops
across our soil, il is evident that a portion OF
the people of Maryl land are opposed 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 repeated | fear
unless prompt action be taken by you.
II is my duty to advise you Of my owl
convictions of the proper course to be pur
sued by Maryland in the emergency which il
upon us. II is of no consequence now to dis
cuss the causes which have induced our trou
blcs. Let US look TO our distressing present
and 10 our portcntous future. The fate o
Maryland and perhaps of her sister Border
slave States will undoubtedly be seriously
affected by the action of your Honorahl,
Body. Therefore should every good either
bend all his energies TO the task before us
and, therefore, should the animosities ant
chickering's Of the past be forgotten, and al
strike hands in the holy cause Of restoring
peace TO our beloved State and to our com
mon country. honestly and most earnestly
entertain the conviction that the only safety
OF Maryland lies in preserving neutral pc
sition between our brethren of the North ant
Of the South We have violated no rights o