The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-10-23
MARYLAND.
The Arrest and imprisonment
Of the Legislature
Arrangements for the Subsequent
Election Of Members.
Interesting correspondence.

Interesting Correspondence.
It is well known that in several of the
Southern States acts of secession were
passed in defiance of the will of the people
The Virginia Convention contained de-
cided majority of members elected express
ly as Union men, and yet by bribery, in
timidation, cheating and every political
trick which desperate and INSCRIPTIONS
traitors could possibly devise, a majority
of the Convention was induced to pass a
secession ordinance, and the people of the
State were betrayed into the rebel Con-
federacy. Similar devices were used in
other Southern States. 1t is notorious
that in the Fall of 1861 the rebels intended
to get possession of Maryland in the same
manner-the secession members OF the
Legislature that was to meet in September
being relied on to take the necessary pre-
liminary steps. Fortunately Tor the peo-
pie of Maryland, as well as for the coun-
try at large, the Government became
aware of these reasonable schemes, and
took prompt and etfectual measures to de-
feat them How it was done may be seen
in part from the following letters and Or
ders issued at the time by the Secretary
of War, by Gen. Mcclellan, by General
Banks and other officers of the Govern
ment. 1t is not too much to say that if
the Government could have acted with
equal vigor and promptness in the case OF
Virginia and some other Stetes, they
would have been spared the ruin and de-
fh of
their own leaders has brought upon them.
The following letters are copied from
the New York Leader, which processes to
have extracted them from a secession
pamphlet, lately published in Baltimore,
and are undoubtedly authentic:
LETTER FROM SIMON CAMERON IN RELATION
TO THE MARYLAND LEGISLATURE.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Sept. II, 1861.
GENERAL-The passage of any act of seces-
sion by the Legislature of Mary land must be
prevented. If necessary all, or any part of the
members must be arrested. Exercise your own
judgment as to the time and manner, but do
the work effectively.
Very respectfully, your Obedent servant,
SIMON CAMERON.
Secretary of War.
Major General N P. BANKS, commanding
near Jamestown, Md.
LETTER FROM MAI. GEN. MCCLELLAN.
CONFIDENTIAL.
HEADQUARTERs ARMY OF THE POToMAC,l
Washington. September II, 1861. {
Major General ". p. Banks, y. s. A.
GENERAL-After full consultation with the
President, Secretarys of State, War, &C., il has
been decided to effect the operation proposed
for the 18th. Arrangements have been made
to have government steamer at Annapolis to
receive the prisoners and carry them to their
destination.
Some four or five of the chief men in the
affair are to be arrested to-day. When they
meet on the 18th. you will please have every
thing prepared to arrest the whole party, and
be sure that none escape.
1t is understood that you arranged with Gen.
Dix and Gov. Seward the nodus Operandi. 1t
has been intimated to me that the meeting
might take pace on the 18th; please he pre-
pared. 1 would be glad to have you advise me
frequently of your arrangements in regard to
this very important matter.
If it is successfully carried out it will 60 far
toward breaking the backbone of the rebellion.
1t would probably be well to have special
train quietly prepared to take prisoners to An
napoliS
leave this exceedingly important affair to
your tact and discretion-and have but one
thing to impress upon yOu-the absolute ne
cessity of secresy and success. With the high
est regard, am, my dear General, your sincere
friend GEO. Is. MCCLELLAN,
Major General U. S. A.
LETTER FROM r. b. MARCY, CHEF OF STAFF.
Headquarters ARMY OF THE PoTOMAC.l
WASHINGTON, September II, 1861. )
MAJ. Gen. ". p. Baaks, Commanding near
DdrneStomR Md:
GENERAL-Enclosed have the honor to send
you an order regarding the Legislature of Ma
ryand. VIII you do me the favor to acknowl-
edge its receipt by the bearer3 Very respect
fully, your ob't serv't.
K. B. MARCY, Col. and Chief of Staff
COPY OF LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING
LEGISLATURE.
EImpo tant and confdental.l
HEADQUARTERS, CAMP NEAR DARNEsTowN,C
Sept. 16, 1861. :
Lieut.. Cot. Ruger, Commanding Sd Wisconsin
Regiment, on special duty ut Frederick:
SlR-The Legislature of Maryland is appoint
ed to meet in special session to-morrow-Tues-
day-Sept. 16. 1t is not impossible that the
members, or portion of them, may be deferred
from meeting there on account of certain ar
rests recently made in Baltimore. 1t is also
quite possible that on the first day of meeting
the attendance may be small. OF the facts, as
to the matter, shall see that you are well in.
formed, as they transpire 1t becomes neces-
sary that any meeting of this Legislature at
any place or time, shall be prevented. You
will hold yourself and your command in ready
ness 10 arrest Cnc ulcu1UcIS VI UOLn Houses q
list of such as you are to detain will be inclosed
to you herewith, among whom are to be spe-
cially included the presiding officers of the two
houses, secretaries, clerks, and all subordinate
officers. Let the arrests be certain, and allow
no chance of failure-the arrests should be
made while they are in session, think.
You will, upon receipt of this. quietly ex-
anime the premises. am informed that es-
cape will be impossible, if the entrance to the
building be held by you of that you will Judge
mon examination. If no session is held, you
win arrest such members as can be found in
Frederick. The process of such arrest should
he to enter both houses at the same time, an
nouncing that they were arrested by orders of
the government, command them to remain as
they are, subject to your ORDERS Any resist
ance will be forcibly suppressed, whatever the
consequences. Upon the arrests being effected,
the members that are to be detained will be
placed on board special train for Annapolis,
where q steamer will await them.
Everything in the execution of these orders
is conided to your secresy, discretion and
promptness.
nopRIAND's REPORT OF ARREST OF MEMBERS
OF MARYLAND LEGISLATURE, SEPT. ~.
FREDERICK, Md, Sept. 10, 1861.