Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-05-29
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE
REFRESHING ADMINISTRATIONS.

We give below the substaat part of the
spordence that took place between
Gov. ANDREWS Of Massachusetts,, and Gen
BUTLER, the commander cf the Massachu.
setts volunteers, respecting the offer OF
the latter TO use his troops IN the suppress.
sion Of q slave insurrection few DAYS after
his arrival at Annapolis. The Governor
in his letter to the General says:
"If rightly understand the telegraphic
dispatch, think that your action in ten
derlng to Gov. Hicks the assistance Of our
Massachusetts troops TO suppress a threat
ened seryile insurrection among the hos
tile people Of Maryland was unnecessary.
| hope that fuller dispatches, which are
on their way from you, may show reasons
why should modify my opinion concerns
ing that particular instance; but in gener.
al | think that the matter OF seryile insur-
rection among a community in arms
against the federal Union, is no longer to
be regarded by our troops in political,
but solely in military point of view, and
IS to be contemplated as one Of the inner
ent weaknesses of the enemy, from the
der no Obligation of a military character
to guard them, in order that they may be
enabled to improve the security which our
arms would afford, so rs to prosecute with
more energy their traitorous attacks upon
the federal government and capitol.
"lhe mode In which suck outbreaks are
to be considered should depend entirely
upon the loyalty or disloyaltv Of the com ,
munity in which they occur, and in the
vicinity of Annapolis can, on this occa,
sion, perceive no reason OF military policy
why force summoned to the defence of
the Federal Government at this moment
of all others should be offered to be diver
ted frem its immediate duty to help reb
els, who stand with arms in their hands
obstructing its progress towards the city
Of Washington. ] entertain no doubt that
whenever we shall have an opportunity to
interchange our views personally on this
subject, we shall arrive at entire concord
ance Of opinion"
Ii his reply, Gen. Butler says the tele-
graphic dispatch was correct, that he did
offer to Suppress rumored slave insurrec-
ton, but fortunately the rumor of such an
outbreak proved % be unfounded. He
then proceed, to justify his course, as fol-
lows:
Assuming, as your ENccllency does in
your dispatch, that was carrying on mil
itary operations in an enemys country,
when wa" Poutraacc was to be waged
my act might be matter of discussion. -
And in that view, acting in the light Of
the Baltimore murders and the appatent-
ly hostile position of Maryland, your Ex-
cellency might, without mature reflection,
have come to the conclusion Cf Gisappro-
baton expressed in your dispatch. But
the facts. especially as nov aided by their
results, will entirely justify my act, and
reinstate me in your EXcellency's good
opinion.
"Irae, landed on the soil Of Maryland
against the formal protest of its Governor
and of the corporate authorities Of Annap-
OILS, but without any armed opposition on
their part and expecting opposition only
FROM insurgents assembled IN riotous con.
tempt Of the laws Of the State. Before,
by letter, and ut the time of landing, by
personal interview. ! had informed Gov
ernor Hicks that soldiers of the Union,
under my command, wele armed only
against the insurgents and disturbers of
the peace Of Maryland aud Of the United
States. received from Gov. Hicks assu
RANGES Of the loyalty of the State to the
Unicn - assurances which subsequent
events have fully justified. The Mayor
OF Annapolis also Informed me that the
city authorities would in no wise oppose
ne, but that was in great danger from
the excited and rlotous mobs OF Baltimore