The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-06-14
LETTER FROM FREDERICK

FREDERICK, June II, 1861.
In the House of Delegates, on Wednesday, the
resolutions of Mr.. Dennis, of Somerset, having
been called up, Mr.. Fiery proceeded to address the
House on the subject.
In the course of his remarks, he held that when
ever any suspicion of attempt to furnish aid and
comfort to the enemy attaches to any citizen, the
President has the power to and is justified in arrest
ing such. The same remarks would apply also to
the case of John Merryman. That gentleman. he
believed from facts which had come to his know
ledge, had been guilty of that which looked like
giving aid and comfort to the enemy and his arrest
was, therefore, perfectly justifiabe
Mr.. Denison, of Baltimore county, interrupting
the speaker, asked him, with some warmth of man,
ner to specify the charges which he had ade against
MIR. Merryman.
Mr.. Fiery said that he knew nothing of his per-
sonal knowledge, but had read in a newspaper GER
tain grave charges against Mr.. Merrymab, which,
if true
Mr.. Denson, again interrupting him, said be de-
sired the speaker to make his charges specifically
and that he.would meet them.
Mr. Fiery reiterated that he knew nothing further
than he had derived from the newspapers but that
ii those statements were true, then Mr. Merryman
was guilty of treason and deserved his arrest
MIR. Denison again propounded some inquiry to
Mr.. Fiery, who replied with warmth that be would
answer any respectful question, but that he would
not be treated with disrespect.
MIR. Denison dsclaimed all intention of treating
the gentleman disrespectfully, but said that he ad
advanced certain general charges which, as mat
ter OF justice to Mr.. Merryman, he requested should
be specifically made.
Mr. Fiery said the charge referred to the raisinp
OF company of troops to fight against the Gov
ernment, and that he had read it, he thought. in
the Baltimore Clipper, [dersive laug hter1 and he
repeated that if those charges were true then Mr.
Merryman fully deserved his arrest.
Mr.. Wallis reported iml prtaut amendment of
the Jury Law of Baltimore. which was passed. II
nrOVIdps at ton nay hafO tbo NJ
Judges of the Courts cause the names selected for
jury service to be inscribed upon ballots of an equal
size and shape, and of the color. These folded
precisely alike, are to be placed by the Judges
themselves, or somebody acting under their imme-
diate supervision, in a drawing wheel from which
they are to be taken bv the Sheriff or his denntv
in the presence of the judges, and the drawing
certified to by the judges.
The bill provides penalty of Imprisonment for
not less than one nor more than four years. for any
act which may lead to the recognition of anv Of
the ballots to be chosen, or for fraudulent intent
to defeat the secrecy which the law enioins
Mr.. Compton, from the Committee on Military
Afairs-to whom was submitted the reply of the
Adjutant General of the State in response to a call
OF the House for information in reg ard to the ex-
penditure of the S70,0o0 appropriated at the last
session for the purchase of arms for the State-re-
ported that while the Adjutant General has ac-
counted for S64, 05 expended for the purchase
OF Z,oOO Minnie guns and accoutrements at SIS
each, 1000 army revovers at Sl6.20 each, and
i,oo Sa' airy saores at o. eacn, leaving an unex-
pended balance of So, ,5S4 SIS, they found upon es-
timatlng the cost at the prices stated that but
$52, 200 has been actually expended; leaving the
sum of S11 ,2l5 wholly unaccounted for. $500 of
this deficit they presume to have been paid to H.
G. Hicks, who acted as agent for the purchase.
The committee pronounce the report of the Ad-
jutant General as "ncomplete and unsatisfactory"
clearly exhibiting "an unwarrantable use of the
public money!" and ga deliberate violation of the
law under which he acted.''
They further state that by the storage OF the
arms in warehouse in Baltimore, instead of in the
State armories, as required by law, the State has
lost $40 muskets, &C., and Is cavalry swords. The
report proposes a committee of three, with power
TO send for persons and papers.
Mr. Maxwell submitted an order, which was
adopted, requiring the Comptroller to inquire and
report whether certain obligations to the State,
assumed by the Northern Central Railroad Com