Litchfield enquirer., 1863-11-26

SfATEo OF CONNECTICUT. EXECUTIVE DEPARF- nESr, HARTFORD, November IF, 1863. { have received from your honorable body a resolution in the following words: HoUsE OF REPRESENTATIVE, : Special Nov. Session, 1863.
 WHEREAS, It is understood and believed by members Of this House, that certain of the arms of this state, to wit rifles, muskets and pistols have. without authority from the General As semblY, or without any legal authority. been taken from their proper places of deposit, and delivered to individuals or organized bodies of men not recognized by the military law of this state :; therefore, " <a5E gss .4- Resolsedl That his Excellency, the Cover nor. be respectfully requested to communicate will admit, any information which he may be possessed of relating to the disposition of tne state arras to any bodies of men other than mil- ltary organization known to the law. or to in. dividuals, together with the number and char acter of such arms the time when they were so disposed of, and the names of the parties to whom they were delivered''
 In order to furnish all information possessed by the Executive relating to the subject ot in quiry. it will be important to make statement vf the circumstances under which the arms to which you evidently refer were issued, especial ly as the call is made upon the Executive to furnish information which may remove or con. firm the belief. entertained by some members of your House. that he, having the custody of the arms of the state. has disposed of them without authority of law.
 In July last, a large number af men in tue city of New York, under the influence of lead. CTS hostile to tho national Union and in sym. pathy with rebellion, banded together to resist the draft,o dered by the President of the Uni ted States under congressional authority.
 They at once became an infnriated mob i; they compelled men to leave their labors and close their places of business they went from house to house, and from street to street over powcring whatever obstacles impeded their progress. Arson, pillage aud robbery were unrestrained. Innocent citizens were beaten, shot, and hung. The rioters became power s' formidable that they could not even, by the most solemn pledges that their alleged griev- ances should be retlressed, be persuaded to de- sist from their hellsh work. They held the city. with its untold wealth and millions of peo. pie, for days. in the terrors of anarchy.
 At the same Ii ne riotous demonstrations were made in different parts of the country and. without concert of action. gentlemen resi- ding in various seotions.of this state, whose opinous aud judgement are entitled to high consideration. represented the danger in their respective localities in the following language
 Those who oppose the draft are making every effort to unite themselves together for resistance" e."-"Threats of resistance are loud and frequent ill our midst. "-Notices have been posted, threatening those who aid the drnft."-'' Men have pledged themselves to break the boxes which contain the names of men enruled for the draft" Secret meetings have been held, at which it had been determin ed to commence open resistance on the night of a given day, but for soule reason it was post poned. want sufficient number 0t men to guard my property from the mob which is likely to arise and pillage and burn."-' do not take counsel of my fears when assure you that anticipate an outbreak in this place. .'-- " These disturbances throughout our country are the result of q combination of traitors both North and South."
 In this critical and alarming condition of public affairs. men of true and well-known pat r.otism, belonging to both the republican and democratic parties, offered their services to preserve public order, and made requisition up- on the executive for arms. .....
 In examining the statutes, found authority to furnish the active militia and the enrolled militia, when ordered into active service. with arms, and nothing to prohibit the use of them by others whenever public necessity requires. Also. that no place is designated for the depos- it of arms purchased by the stato and not in the hands of the militia. and that the com mandsr-in-chisf " may issue such orders as he shall judge expedient to carry into execution the intents" of An act relating to the Milf tia," which act is especially intended to give him full power and authority to use both the active and inactive militia to preuent rebellion and insurrection. saz .s.-
 Considering our perlous condition, and the fact that the active militia of the state, inclu ding the Governors Guards, was composed of less than one thousand men. orders were issued from this department for the transmission of arms te tho persons. residing in the towns herein named, upon the execution ofproper bonls f,r their safe keeping and return
 Muskets 1868 To whom issued. At what place. and Ac-
 coutrements July I4-Wm T Miner, Stamford. 65
 '' I5-D K Wright, Meriden, -a 200