The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1861-03-15

My proclamation Of the 7th OF
August last, was accordingly issued,
and accompanied by the appointmen,
loi Commissioners, who were charged
to repair to the scene Of insurrection
They were authorized to confer with
any bodies OF men or individuals
They were instructed to be candid
and explicit, in stating tho sensations
which had been excited in the FIX.
ecutive, and his earnest wish to avoid
a resort to coercion; to repreee mt,
however, that, without submission,
coercion must be the resort; but to
invite them, at the same time, 10
return to the demeanor OF faithful
citizens, by such accommodations as
lay within the sphere Of executive
power. Pardon, too, was rendered
to them by the government of the
United States, and that of Pennsyl.
vania, upon no other condition. than
satisfactory assurance Of obedience
to the laws.
Although the report of the Com.
m'ssioners marks their firmness and
abilities, and must unite oil virtuous
men, By showing that the means of
Cancellation have been exhausted; all
OF those, who had committed or
abetted the tnmults, did not subscribe
to the mild form, which was pro.
posed rs tho atonement, and tho 10.
dications Of peaceable temper were
neither sufficiently general nor con-
elusive to recommend or warrant u
further suspension Of the march Of
the militia.
Thus the painful alternative could
not be discarded. ordered the
militia to march, after once more
admonishing the insurgents, in my
proclamation OF the 25th oi Septem
Der last.
1t was a task too difficult to ascer-
tain, with precision, the lowest dc.
gree OF force competent to the qnell.
ing OF the insurrection. From a
respect. indeed, to economy and the
ease Of my fellow citizens belonging
to the militia, it wonll have eratifiv d
me to accomplish such an estimate.
My very reluctance to ascribe too
much Importance to the opposition,
had its extent been accurately seen, ,
would have been Il decided induce
nent TO the smallest efficient NUN.
bers. In this uncertainty, therefore,
put in motion fifteen thousand
men, as being an army. which &C.
cording to all human calculation
wonld he prompt, and adequate in
every view, and might perhaps, by
rendering resistance desperate, pre-,
vent the efnsion OF blood. Quotas
h q been assigned to the states Of
New Jersey. Pennsylvania, Mary
land, and Virginia; the Governor Of
Pennsylvania having declared on
his occasion an opinion, which jus.
'iiird a rcquisition to the other states.
A5 COMMANDMENT Chief of the
when called into the actual
service Of the United States, ! have
visited the places Of general rendez.
vous, to obtain more exact iniorma,
lion, and to direct a plan for ulterior
Had there been room
'or Il persuasion. that the laws were
secure from obstruction; that the civil
Magistrate was able to bring to Just
&C such OF the most culpaLle, as
lave not embraced the prntiered
.erms o. amnesty, and may be deem.
'd hit jects OF example; that the
friends of peace and good govern.
ment were not in need of that aid
md counter ,nce, which they ought
always TO receive, and ! trust ever
will receive, against the vicious and
turbulent, should have caught with
avidity the opportunity Of restoring
the militia to their families and
homes. But succeeding intelligence
has tended to manifest the Necessity
Of what has been done; it being now
confessed, by those who we're no,
inclined to exaggerate the i'll con.
iuct OF tho insurgents, that their
nalevolence WAS not pointed merely
o a particular law, but that a spirit
nimical to all order has actuated
many Of tho offenders. II the state
If things had afr lded reason for the
Of my presence with the
army, il would not have been with
holden; but, every appearance as.
'uring such an issue as will rebound
o the reputation aud strength of the
United States, have judged it most
proper to resume my duties at the
'cat OF government, leaving the chiei
with the Governor of Vir,
,inis.
Still, however, as it is probable,
hat. in a commotion like the pres
mt, whatsoever may be the pretensc,
he purposes Of mischief and revenge
nay not bo laid aside; the sta,ioning
,f small force tor a certain period.
n the four Western countie, of
Pennsylvania, will be indispensable,
whether VIC contemplate the situa
ion Of those who are connected with
The execution of the laws, or OF
others, who may have exposed them.
selves by an honorable attachment
10 them.
Thirty days from tho commence,
ment OF this session being the legal
Of the employment OF the
Congress cannot be too early
occupied with this subject.
Among the discussions, which may
arise from this aspect of our affairs,
and from the documents which will
he submitted to Congress, it will not
escape their observation, that not
only the Inspector OF the revenue