New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-12
THE BRIDGE BURNING.
LETTER OF GOV. HICKS IN REPLY TO MA

LETTER OF GOV. HICKS IL REPLY TO MAY0T
BROWN.
To THY PEOPLE OF MARYLAND: have heretofore
asked a suspension Of your judgment in regard to
communication with accompanying certificates, from
abe Mayor of Baltimore TO the Houte Of Delegates o.
Maryland in which is asserted completely my par
IN the unlawful destruction of the bridges the Pbla
dephia Wilmington, and Baltimore, and the Northern
Central Railroads, the night of the 18th Of April
desire to obtain expected information from the
telegaphic dispatches recently seized by the Govern
ment-but which l have not yet received-added TO
the pressing nature of my official duties has prevented
me from making this publication at an earlier period.
THE Governor here repu6hes the made Mayor
of the Mayors brother and Marshal Kane that Ia had author
lied the burning 9th bndgesl
This is the sum of the charges brought against by
Mayor Brown and lis witnesses. 1t s due to the
Mayor to say unequivocally, that do no, believe he
had any knowledge Of the plot of which the destruction
of the bridges was part / had little acquaintance
with him at the time referred to, but had formed
high estimate Of lis character faithful public ser
want, aud az a heightened gentlemsn and believe
chat the proceedings which be couDtenanced, and In
which he seems 10 have been participant, was naug
nrated by Others His apparent completely was only
what might have attached to any other man in the try
ing and delicate and painful circumstances IN which lie
found himself The evil men who surrounded hun,
and who clouded his better Judgment had designs
which could be consummated only by his official aid
and they spared efforts 10 enange him III the snares
they had prepared.
1t is alleged by the Mayor and his witnesses that
gave my consent rerJaAy. ! am sure the public will
agree with me in thinking il strange, under all the
circumstances that an act OF SO great importance, re-
curing as is alleged, my authority 10 make 1t valid,
should have been contaminated under pretended
verbal assent admitted to have been unwilhngy given
BIZ person who expressed some doubt as TO his au-
thority to give such order. None but bold con-
spraors would have proceeded to perperate such an
unlawful act without authority IN rTH'Rg from WHOM
soever they believed competent to give the necessary
order. According TO their showing, written order
from me would have absoved the Mayor and his asso-
GATES from all responsibility in the premises But they
confess they had such authority and attempt TO JUS
tfy their unlawful acts by pretended verbal assent by
me- certified by witnesses interested very materially IN
sustaining the position assumed by the Mayor 1t
seems that IN this respect my aceusers lnd them
selves in difficulty from which they cannot extrcate
themselves
The MAYORS communication does not profess TO
uote the language used on the occasion referred
TO- II is admitted that alleged want Of authority to
order the destruction Of the bridges. The Mayor
Ytneses admit that desired time for reflection. But
time for reflection would have materially damaged the
plot inasmuch men were already on the way TO DO
what they desired me TO indor-e Accordingly, they
Jumped 70 the desired conclusion that consented, be-
cause contended that had power TO consent TO,
and no power TO prevent the outrage contemplated,
and which was then IN process OF execution. Inc
visit Of Messrs Brown, Kane, and Lowe to my bed
chamber Yves at late hour Of the night The Mayors
scompanOns were in whom have no commence.
Indeed il only account Of the Official nature OF
the viit that under the circumstances consented 10
any communication with such people
No men Of intelligence can fail 10 zee that was I'M
possible for me to consent unequivocay TO the IN
lawful act which was proposed TO me by such men as
Kane and Lowe, no matter bow necessary II might
have appeared TO be TO the emergency Consequently,
Enthusiastically assert that refused my consent, and
gave a. my reason therefor that had no authority
40 the preisesthat the bridges were private proper
sy-that the proposed act was unlewful-that was a
Dover Of law and orderthat the Mayor could act as he
pleased-and that had power TO interfere with his
designs IL this be consent TO the destruction OF the
bridges, then consented. If this be completely In an
unlawful act, then was accessory.
donot deny that the proposed ACT unlawful though
1t wac seemed 10 be the only means OF avertng threat
eDed bloodshed But ii would have little become me,
Governor Of the State 10 interfere with the PROV
ince of the Mayor Of Baltimore TO prevent riot. Still
less did il become me to forget my oath Of Office and
consent 10 infTaction Of the laws which had sworn
70 enforce. j am sure unprejudiced man can con,
ciude i TO be within the range OF probability That
could have acted In the manner ascrlbed 10 me-
As matter Of course, Il not easy TO sdduce PROOF
OF my position. Those who were near me throughout
that trying day bear but little accurate testimony
rs n 70 what was said or done by me- Every one was
1ui Of excitement, and men Whose Judgment had al
Ways ehhhltenged my respect, urged me TO 90 many
fhings which they now regret to remember. was,
Rernaps no cooler than those who surrounded ne but
my position and 10 my oath Of offce. did not do
eilber strenuou.ly resisted all propositions which
deemed inconsistent with law and order and did mo-
thing that evenfnl day which have any reason to
regret.
Ny accusert seem 70 forget that long before night.
fall positively and perssently refused INV assent 10
the scuttng removal Of the steam ferry hoat
Maryland, at Perryyille, which was proposed 70 me
by 80 many persons, aud which, II contaminated,
Sion of the bridges The following letter from Col
8. Mercer Of Anne Arundel County il evidence that
did refuse my assent TO the proposition:
10 hh ErceQspev Coz. Hickss
DsAx sK have just read your card in The zneriean dong
ING he charge made BY the Mayor Of Baltimore Marshal
osfs ta, bad given consent and appreciation
ene burning Of the vadous railroad bridges leading Bali
more 70 Psnnsylysni
htyns en- the 18th Of April acted your Aid Camp wa
al your consultations and Interviews with the oity
sna othsf pRninsut czeDs until the violent excite
Saes ssked thai day hsd sabiided conceive II W be