Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-05-29
LITTLE RocK, ARK, May 2lst, 1869

Col. E. H. JOHNSON,
 SIR: An editorial in your paper (the True Democrat of the 22d, issued, however, on to-day) upon the subject of declaring martial law in this city, appears the following: The fqht Of te Erecutiue from Little Rock has Iett the State ,oithom any go- rernmem whateuer, ot lime ,chen t ,cas most needed, and ShouId like to see Gen. Roane supply the acant as fur as t lies in hs potcer"
 The convention in order to provide for the safety of the archives in the public offices and the preser vation of the government of the state in the event of the approach of the enemy rendering their further continuance at Little Rock insecure, autho- rized and empowered me by ordinance to remove the seat ot government.
 About the first of this month, reliable informa- ton reached me that Batesville and Jacksonport were in the possession of the enemy, and that c en- Curtis was advancing upon this place with a force estimated from twenty to thirty thousand men His ayoTed purpose was to occupy this place, and establish provisional government similar to that set up in Tennessee.
 At that tipc, Gen. Roane absent from this city, and there were troops stationed here, and no ammunition; nothing in the way of troops and munitions of war belonging to the State or Con federacy, by which the place could be defended or the advance of the enemy retarded
 In view of these facts, which were known to you and to the community, ordered the executive officers of the government to remove the money and archives of the state to Washington, Hemp stead county. After the officers had left, accom- panied my family to Hot Springs, and on Friday evening" 9th inst, returned to this city, after an absence of week Before leaving, publicly avowed that it was my intention to return and defend the capital the last extremity, or at least remain until it was evident that the means for it's defence could not be obtained. will add, further, that, in view of the invasion of the state, ad- dressed communication to Gen'ls Bcauregard and Van Dorn, on or about the first of May, asking that the regiments from Texas on their way to Corinth, m ght be retained here under the com mand of Gen. Roane, to defend the capital in case 1 t should become necessary.
 No response had been received to that commu- nication at the time left, nor had any of the Texas troops arrived All of the above facts, there is no doubt, were well known to you, before your editorial was written. The language quoted above, and the general tenor of the article, exhibit an intention upon your part to wluly misrepresent my official acts, and to degrade me and the govern ment of your state.
 The facts herein stated, and which you know to be true, contradict the statements you have made, and demonstrate the allegation, tEat the state has no government, to be false.
 will also call your attention to the fact that, shortly after my return 10 tlis city, We met and interchanged ciyilities So that you were, before the publication of your paper, aware that was in town.
 In view of the foregoing, it follows that you, as an honorable man and loyal citizen, should re- tract the charge contained in your paper, correct the misrepresentatons made, and remove the stig ma you have sought to cast upon the government of your state.
 I demand, therefore, that this shall be done promptly, and as publicly as the charges and ms representations have been published, and that you avow distinctly whether by your article am to understand that you advocate the overthrow of the civil and the establishment of a military govern ment for Arkansas.
 have extended this communication to its pre- sent length in order that may not only vindicate my conduct to the people of this state by whose suirages I am governor, from this, well as other interpretations of my acts, n your paper, as to defend the government Of this state against is internal and erternaL foes.
 Respectfully,
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