Record Data
Transcription
190 Hoffman St.
Baltimore
29 June '61
Dear General
Enclosed, please find the leading articles of the Baltimore Clipper, of this morning. You will see how that journal can talk, now that you have unlocked its mouth by the suppression of the organized rebellion in our midst. Free speech like this will soon correct public opinion, led astray by the terrorism of the past few weeks.
I sent you a list, yesterday, of the arms and munitions found in the office of the late Marshal of Police, Geo. P. Kane. Last night, a further depot of 800 stand of arms was discovered at Jackson Hall in the 8th Ward. In reference to the arms found in the Marshal's office, it is obvious, that the Commissioners Howard, Getchell, Davis and Hincks and Mayor Brown, must have been cognizant of their secret deposit there. Kane actually informed Cadwallader, that he had surrendered all the arms in possession of the city! More than half of them are stolen property, stolen from the 6th Mass. Regiment. So that the late Police Board and its Marshal, and the Mayor too, have demonstrated that they are traitors, rebels, conspirators murderers and liars, by their acts and deeds. I repeat, that justice and the future peace of the city demand the arrest of the four Police Commissioners.
Their attempt to inaugurate anarchy, night before last, by disbanding the Police force, or rather ordering them off duty, and continuing them under pay, was most atrocious. It was a direct blow against the Government, which ought to be resented. Their functions had been suspended, and yet, by the advice of Judge Taney, whose disloyalty is no longer a secret, they made a protest, and, yesterday, they were in session all day, concocting further rebellion. There is no telling how soon they may rally their old police, and precipitate the city into convulsion. Their new place is Fort McHenry, just now.
Two more bills of indictment were found by the Federal Grand Jury yesterday, but cui bono ?, so long as Addison is the U. S. District Attorney? He will move to admit them to straw bail, if they be of his set or coterie, as Sam Macher was. Joseph M. Palmer of Frederick City, a lawyer of the good old times, and a true-hearted, loyal man, ought to be put in Addisons' place. There is a man here by the name of Edward Duffey, who, Judge Marshall thinks, will serve the Govt. well. For myself, I would endorse Palmer. The Grand Jury and the friends of the Union here, should be protected by the removal of Addison, and the appointment of such a man as Palmer. He has no affiliations with the aristocracy, and yet is a gentleman of the old school, and would command the respect of every body.
I am glad to see, that you have ordered the occupation of Patterson's Park, by a regiment. We need the erection of permanent fortifications capable of garrisoning at least 1000 men each, on Murray Hill, Patterson's Park, a high point on the Hartford road just at the edge of the City, Gen. Stuart's place at the west end, and Federal Hill. I am drawing the Bill therefor and shall send it today to Sen. Wilson of the Senate Military Committee. It is utterly idle to think of keeping Baltimore up to its loyal duties to the Constitution and Union, within the limits of the present generation, without the permanent occupation of the City by the Federal forces, regularly in garrison, not only in Fort McHenry, but on the points above indicated. All the rising generation is ruined by the heresy of secession.
Very Truly Yours
W. G. Snethen
