Headquarters of the
Army, WASHINGTON, April 26th, 1861
General BUTLER
The undersigned,
General-in-Chief of the Army, has received from the President of the U. States
the following instructions respecting the legislature of Maryland now about to
assemble at Annapolis, viz.:
It is “left to the
Commanding General to watch and await their action, which, if it shall be to
arm their people against the United States, he is to adopt the most prompt and
efficient means to counteract, even if necessary to the bombardment of their
cities, and, in the extremest necessity, suspension of the writ of habeas
corpus.”
In the absence of
the undersigned, the foregoing instructions are turned over to Brig. General B.
F. Butler, of the Mass. Volunteers, or other Officer commanding at Annapolis,
who will carry them out in a right spirit, — that is, with moderation and
firmness. In the case of arrested individuals, notorious for their hostility to
the United States, the prisoners will be safely kept and duly cared for; but
not surrendered except on the order of the Commander aforesaid.
WINFIELD SCOTT.
SOURCE: Jessie Ames
Marshall, Editor, Private and Official Correspondence of Gen. Benjamin
F. Butler During the Period of the Civil War, Volume 1: April 1860 – June
1862, p. 43
No comments:
Post a Comment