John W. Garrett to James Buchanan October 17, 1859—4:38 p.m.

Baltimore, Oct. 17, 1859.

James Buchanan,

        President of the United States, Washington:

All the trains on the road are stopped. The mail train going west has been stopped and forced to return, and the conductor has been made prisoner. Our agents report by telegraph that seven hundred whites and blacks are in arms and in full possession of the U. S. Armory. They report also that the slaves are taken possession of by the insurrectionists. It is a moment full of peril. General Steuart is awaiting your reply.

4.38 P. M.

JOHN W. GARRETT,        

Pres't B. & O. R. R. Co.

SOURCE: B. H. Richardson, Annapolis, Maryland, Publisher, Correspondence Relating to the Insurrection at Harper's Ferry, 17th October, 1859, p. 14