DES MOINES, Feb. 6, 1862.
This morning the Governor sent to the House a communication in response to a resolution of inquiry in regard to rebels of Missouri making an asylum of Fremont county. The citizens of said county a short time since sent a petition to the Legislature, through their representative, Mr. Mitchell, praying that some action be taken in this matter. Mr. Mitchell, after presenting the petition, offered a resolution calling upon the Governor, for all the information in his power bearing on this subject. To-day his excellency [sic] has favored the House with a communication of some length and nearly a dozen letters relating to the matter. From this correspondence it is easy to see that some parties down there need looking after. The Governor feels perfectly satisfied that many rebels who feared a retaliation on the part of the Union men of their own State for their lawless acts, and who also feared the confiscation of their property, have sought a refuge in this State, and have found an asylum with their sympathizers across the line. They have brought their horses and other property, and placed it in the hands of these friends for safe keeping. These friends have shielded this property and its owners from harm. This course has led to much lawlessness in the county of Fremont. The Governor is convinced that the recent disturbances there were occasioned by rebel sympathizers, and that those same persons are the ones who went over into Missouri and arrested Union men. From his message and from the accompanying letters it would seem that a state of affairs exists in said county very disgraceful indeed, and which will lead, unless promptly checked, to a border warfare. Senator English is mentioned in these letters as one of the most conspicuous of the rebel sympathizers. His case needs investigation. He was not accused of any surplus loyalty at the extra session, and these developments would seem to indicate that he has gone jus as far as he dare go in aiding the cause of the rebels. Perhaps he can clear his skirts; if so let him do it. We wish law-givers now who are above suspicion. Men who are obliged to prove their loyalty have no business in power now. It is to be hoped this matter will be thoroughly sifted, and that the Governor and Legislature will very shortly set things right down on the South-western border.
The message and accompanying correspondence were laid on the table and 5,000 copies ordered printed. This will enable the people of the state to examine the subject for themselves.
Mr. Stanton, of Washington, offered a resolution stating that while we do not endorse the views of the President on the slavery question as connected with the war, we desire our Congressional delegation to use all constitutional means to uphold the President in this or any other policy the exigencies of the case or the suppression of this rebellion may require. Like all similar resolutions that have preceded it, it created some excitement. The Democrats seem determined, if possible, to take the lead of the Republicans in supporting the President. They are bound to attach to every report or resolution, when it can be attached, some clause setting forth their endorsement of Abraham Lincoln’s slavery policy. There will be considerable wrangling on this subject before the season is over. The speeches will commence nest Tuesday evening. – A full and animated discussion of Federal Politics will ensue and these evening sessions will possess nor ordinary interest. We have men here who possess the ability to make good speeches; and most of these members feel a deep interest in this question, one way or the other. If feel anxious to have the time come. They wont hurt anybody, if they do no good. They will keep the discussion of these matters as much as possible out of the regular daily sessions, and hold evening sessions for their discussion. The resolution offered to-day was, after considerable sparing between Republicans and Democrats, and between radical and conservative Republicans, referred to the committee of the whole House on Tuesday evening next.
Mr. Hardie, of Dubuque, offered a resolution to-day, instructing the committee of ways and means to inquire into the expedience of imposing a tax of $10 per head upon bachelors over 25 years of age. If I hadn’t thought the gentleman was in sport, I would send in a protest against adding to the burdens and personal discomforts of this class of human beings.
The bill to prevent the spread of fire on the prairies was passed by a vote of 70 to 8. A bill providing for the vacation of town-plats was also passed; likewise, a bill to amend sec. 5066 of the Revision of 1860, in reference to taking a change of venue before the justices of the peace.
The Senate has been engaged in good part of the day on a bill relating to the manner of collecting the federal tax assumed by the State. The features of the bill I will give in a future letter.
This evening, Senator Schaffer read a humorous poem on Humbug before the Lecture Association. Not having been present, I cannot speak of its merits.
Gen. Baker, as you are aware, has been called home by [sickness] in his family. Several members of the House have been suddenly summoned home on similar errands.
J. R. C.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 1
This morning the Governor sent to the House a communication in response to a resolution of inquiry in regard to rebels of Missouri making an asylum of Fremont county. The citizens of said county a short time since sent a petition to the Legislature, through their representative, Mr. Mitchell, praying that some action be taken in this matter. Mr. Mitchell, after presenting the petition, offered a resolution calling upon the Governor, for all the information in his power bearing on this subject. To-day his excellency [sic] has favored the House with a communication of some length and nearly a dozen letters relating to the matter. From this correspondence it is easy to see that some parties down there need looking after. The Governor feels perfectly satisfied that many rebels who feared a retaliation on the part of the Union men of their own State for their lawless acts, and who also feared the confiscation of their property, have sought a refuge in this State, and have found an asylum with their sympathizers across the line. They have brought their horses and other property, and placed it in the hands of these friends for safe keeping. These friends have shielded this property and its owners from harm. This course has led to much lawlessness in the county of Fremont. The Governor is convinced that the recent disturbances there were occasioned by rebel sympathizers, and that those same persons are the ones who went over into Missouri and arrested Union men. From his message and from the accompanying letters it would seem that a state of affairs exists in said county very disgraceful indeed, and which will lead, unless promptly checked, to a border warfare. Senator English is mentioned in these letters as one of the most conspicuous of the rebel sympathizers. His case needs investigation. He was not accused of any surplus loyalty at the extra session, and these developments would seem to indicate that he has gone jus as far as he dare go in aiding the cause of the rebels. Perhaps he can clear his skirts; if so let him do it. We wish law-givers now who are above suspicion. Men who are obliged to prove their loyalty have no business in power now. It is to be hoped this matter will be thoroughly sifted, and that the Governor and Legislature will very shortly set things right down on the South-western border.
The message and accompanying correspondence were laid on the table and 5,000 copies ordered printed. This will enable the people of the state to examine the subject for themselves.
Mr. Stanton, of Washington, offered a resolution stating that while we do not endorse the views of the President on the slavery question as connected with the war, we desire our Congressional delegation to use all constitutional means to uphold the President in this or any other policy the exigencies of the case or the suppression of this rebellion may require. Like all similar resolutions that have preceded it, it created some excitement. The Democrats seem determined, if possible, to take the lead of the Republicans in supporting the President. They are bound to attach to every report or resolution, when it can be attached, some clause setting forth their endorsement of Abraham Lincoln’s slavery policy. There will be considerable wrangling on this subject before the season is over. The speeches will commence nest Tuesday evening. – A full and animated discussion of Federal Politics will ensue and these evening sessions will possess nor ordinary interest. We have men here who possess the ability to make good speeches; and most of these members feel a deep interest in this question, one way or the other. If feel anxious to have the time come. They wont hurt anybody, if they do no good. They will keep the discussion of these matters as much as possible out of the regular daily sessions, and hold evening sessions for their discussion. The resolution offered to-day was, after considerable sparing between Republicans and Democrats, and between radical and conservative Republicans, referred to the committee of the whole House on Tuesday evening next.
Mr. Hardie, of Dubuque, offered a resolution to-day, instructing the committee of ways and means to inquire into the expedience of imposing a tax of $10 per head upon bachelors over 25 years of age. If I hadn’t thought the gentleman was in sport, I would send in a protest against adding to the burdens and personal discomforts of this class of human beings.
The bill to prevent the spread of fire on the prairies was passed by a vote of 70 to 8. A bill providing for the vacation of town-plats was also passed; likewise, a bill to amend sec. 5066 of the Revision of 1860, in reference to taking a change of venue before the justices of the peace.
The Senate has been engaged in good part of the day on a bill relating to the manner of collecting the federal tax assumed by the State. The features of the bill I will give in a future letter.
This evening, Senator Schaffer read a humorous poem on Humbug before the Lecture Association. Not having been present, I cannot speak of its merits.
Gen. Baker, as you are aware, has been called home by [sickness] in his family. Several members of the House have been suddenly summoned home on similar errands.
J. R. C.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 1
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