Year: 1861

COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY,

 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

 FRANKFORT, August l9, 1861. 10 His Ercellency Abraham Lincoln, Presi- dent ofthe United States:

 SIR: From the commencement ofthe unhappy hostilities now pending in this country, the peo- pie of Kentucky have indicated an earnest de- sire and purpose, as far as lay in their power, while maintaining their original political status, to do nothing by which to involve them in the war; up to this time they have succeeded in securing to themselves and to the State peace and tranquility as the fruits of the policy they adopted. My single object now IS to promote the continuance of these blessings to the people of this State.

 Until within brief period, the people of Ken lucky were quiet and tranquil, free from domes tic strife and undsturbed by internal commo- ton. They have resisted no law, rebeed against no authority, engaged in no revolution, but constantly proclaimed their firm determin- ation to pursue their peaceful avocat0nS, earn estly hoping that their own soil would be spared the presence of armed troops, and that the scene of conflict would be kept removed beyond the border of their State By thus avoiding all occasions for the introduction of bodies Of arm ed soldiers, and offering no provocation for the presence of military force, the people of Ken lucky have sincerely striven to preserve III their State domestic peace and aveart the calamltles of sanguihary engagements

 Recently a large body of soldiers have been enlisted in the United States army and collect ed in military camps in the central portion of Kentucky. This movement was preceded by the active organization of companies, regiments, etc. consisting of men sworn into the United States service, under officers holding commlS- sions from yourself. Ordnance, arms, munitions and supplies of war are being transported into the State and placed in large quantities in these camps. In word an army is now being or ganized and quartered within the State, sup piled with all the appliances of war, without the consent or advice of the authorities ofthe State, and without consultation with those prominently known and recognized as loyal citizens, This movement now iAperils that peace and tran guilty which, l;om the beginning of our pend ing difficulties have been the paramount desire of this people, and which, up to this time, they have secured to the State.

 Within Kentucky there has been, and is like ly to be, no occasion for the presence of militia " force. The people are quiet and tranquil, feeling no apprehensions of any occasion arls- ing to invoke protection from the Federal arm. They have asked that their territory be left free from military occupation, and the present tram quility of their communication left uninvaded by soldiers. They do not desire that Kentucky shall be required to supply the battlefield for the contending armies, or become the theater of the war.

 Now, therefore, as Governor of the State of Kentucky and in the name of the people have the honor to represent, and with the single and earnest desire to avert from their peaceful homes the hosrors of war, I urge the removal from the limits of Kentucky the military force now organized and in camp within the State. If such acton as is hereby urged be promply taken I firmly believe the peace of the people of Kentucky will be preserved, and the horrors of bloody war will be averted from people now peaceful and tranquil.

 I am, very respectfully,

 Your Obedient servant,

 B. MAGCFFIN.