Year: 1861

Spopulous county Of Baltimore is without a re-
preventative in one branch of our State Legis!a-
ture.


On the 18th Of September last was arrested
at my residence in Baltimore county by an arm
ed force; no warrant exhibited, and without
color of law. After | was taken into custody,
in company with other gentlemen who were a,
that time members of the Legislature, but whose
official existence terminated with the election
lst month, was taken to Fort McHenry, thence
to Fortress Monroe thence to Fort Lafayette,
and afterwards to Fort Warren in Boston Har-
Dor, at which last place l am now confined. 7
do not think the annals of free government pre-
sent a parallel case and am still more certain


that no Senator could ever present reasons more


strange for his non attendance and non perform


ance of his official duties


What reasons exist for my arrest and my
detention, have been unable, after the most
earnest inquiry, to ascertain. Since my arrest


up to the present period of my detention, no
legal process has been served on me advising


me that am charged with the violation of any
law of my native State or of the Uuitcd States
have always been advised that the only legal


mode of preceding against vioator Of the laws


either of the United States or of the State of
Maryland, was by presentment and Indictment
by grand jury | have been further advised
e''''o oiiO ttN1uoC't 1T letSG TO COPY


of the Indictment, which is specification of his
| offence, and in most cases to be discharged upon


bail. If l have misconceived the usual steps
taken against offenders, and the rights which


even they possess, the legal members of the


Senate, and the high legal talent of the other


Legislative Branch, will correct the false impress


sions of legal rights under which | and many
other citizens Of Maryland, in common with my
self, have heretofore labored


have now been imprisoned for near three


months, to the injury Of my business at home


and the neglect of my private affairs, which
have been greatly deranged by my forced and
constrained absence In word, | cannot be


accused of harshness of ex preston when say


have been deprived, and am still deprived of


my liberty by what must be a misconception on
| the part of the Government of my true position


as citizen and public man, the result, believe,
OF. the Wlliul and egregious Misrepresentation
OF my enemies for | had never done an act or


bad thought unfriendly to the maintenance of
the Constitutional Government of the United


States, or in any way contributed to the sever


ance OF the bonds Of the Federal Union, but


have at all times labored for their preservation.


am sure that | cannot be accused of egotism,


or that 1t will be out Of place in this statement
10 briefly advert to my public career.


| was IN the Legislature of MARYLAND in the


years 1914, 1858, 1860 and 1861, and during
those years l cannot reproach myself for any
act that have done, nor do regret any vote
that have ever given. I have been guided


and governed in every vote by strict regard to
the requirements of the Constitution, which l


have repeatedly sworn to support and which,


though illegally and undeservedly imprisoned, l


challenge the most critical and malignant of


my enemies to prove that ever violated If


have violated my oath, or been in word or deed


traltorous to the obligations which l assumed


when became member of your body, con-


front me with my accusers-let me be judge by
your honorable body, who are my peers, and
who are authorized by the Constitution of Mary
land to say whether l have done aught unbe-
coming Senator of Maryland, or aught that
would disqualify me from seat in your honor
able body. This l do not ask as a favor, but
demand as right.


l have endeavored to present to you plain.
succinct and unvarnished statement of my arrest
and imprisonment. The statement have thus
given explains why the chair Of the Senator from
Baltimore county is without an occupant, and
why the county of Baltimore is voiccless and