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More than this, you overlook the fact that the then administration (in the language of a wellknown author) "mildly but decidedly rebuked the proceedings of General Jackson," and that the President viewed the subject with "surprise and solicitude." Unlike President Madison, you in a case much more unwarranted, approve the proceedings of your subordinate officer, and in addition justify your course by a carefully considered argument in its support.

It is true that after some thirty years, Congress, in consideration of the devoted and patriotic services of General Jackson, refunded the amount of the fine he had paid! But the long delay in doing this, proved how reluctant the American people were to do any thing which could be considered as in any way approving the disregard shown to the majesty of the law, even by one who so eminently enjoyed their confidence and regard.

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One subject more, and we shall conclude. You express your regret that our meeting spoke as Democrats;" and you say that "in this time of national peril you would have preferred to meet us upon a level, one step higher than any party platform." You thus compel us to allude to matters which we should have preferred to pass by. But we cannot omit to notice your criticism, as it casts, at least, an implied reproach upon our motives and our proceedings. We beg to remind you that when the hour of our country's peril had come, when it was evident that a most gigantic effort was to be made to subvert our institutions and to overthrow the government, when it was vitally important that party feelings should be laid aside, and that all should be called upon to unite most cordially and vigorously to maintain the Union; at the time you were sworn into office as President of the United States, when you should have urged your fellowcitizens in the most emphatic manner to overlook all past differences and to rally in defence of their country and its institutions, when you should have enjoined respect for the laws and the Constitution, so clearly disregarded by the South, you chose, for the first time, under like circumstances in the history of our country, to set up a party platform, called the "Chicago platform," as your creed; to advance it beyond the Constitution and to speak disparagingly of that great conservative tribunal of our country, so highly respected by all thinking men who have inquired into our institutions-THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES.

Your administration has been true to the principles you then laid down. Notwithstanding the fact that several hundred thousand Democrats in the loyal States cheerfully responded to the call of their country, filled the ranks of its armies, and by "their strong hands and willing arms' aided to maintain your Excellency and the officers of government in the possession of our national capital; notwithstanding the fact that the great body of the Democrats of the country have in the most patriotic spirit given their best efforts, their treasure, their brothers and their

sons, to sustain the government and to put down the rebellion, you, choosing to overlook all this, have made your appointments to civil office, from your cabinet officers and foreign ministers down to the persons of lowest official grade among the tens of thousands engaged in collecting the revenues of the country, exclusively from your political associates.

Under such circumstances, virtually proscribed by your administration, and while most of the leading journals which supported it approved the sentence pronounced against Mr. Vallandigham, it was our true course-our honest course to meet as "Democrats," that neither your Excellency nor the country might mistake our antecedents or our position.

In closing this communication, we desire to reaffirm our determination, and we doubt not that of every one who attended the meeting which adopted the resolutions we have discussed, expressed in one of those resolutions, to devote all our energies to sustain the cause of the Union."

Permit us, then, in this spirit, to ask your Excellency to reexamine the grave subjects we have considered, to the end that on your retirement from the high position you occupy, you may leave behind you no doctrines and no further precedents of despotic power to prevent you and your posterity from enjoying that constitutional liberty which is the inheritance of us all, and to the end, also, that history may speak of your administration with indulgence, if it cannot with approval.

We are, sir, with great respect, yours very JOHN V. L. PRUYN,

truly,

Chairman of Committees.
GEORGE H. THACHER,
C. W. ARMSTRONG,
WILLIAM DOYLE,
FRANKLIN TOWNSEND,
WM. APPLETON,
B. R. SPILMAN,
JAMES MCKOWN,
A. H. TREMAIN,
DANIEL SHAW,
W. SIMON,
A. E. STIMSON,
LEDERER.

JAMES KIDD,
GILBER C. Davidson,
J. V. P. QUACKENBUSH,
WM. A. FASSETT,
O. M. HUNGERFord,
JOHN HOGAN,
HENRY LANSING,
S. HAND,
M. K. COHEN,
JOHN CUTLER,
C. VAN BENTHUYSEN,
ISAAC

ALBANY, June 30, 1863.

Doc. 68.

CAPTURE OF THE REDGAUNTLET.
CAPTAIN LUCAS'S LETTER.

June 20, 1863, DEAR SIR: I regret to write to you that the Redgauntlet was captured by the confederate steamer Florida (otherwise the British steamer Oreto) on the fourteenth of June, when twentythree days out, in latitude eight degrees thirty minutes north, longitude thirty-four degrees fifty minutes west. We first discovered her at halfpast five in the morning, about seven miles off, two points on the lee bow, and standing toward

us; escape was impossible on account of the scant wind and our position; they had the British flag set, came up with us under canvas and steam, passed us, then tacked ship, furled sails, fired a shot across our bow, spoke us, and sent a boat on board.

ed, it was reasonable to suppose that they would bond the Redgauntlet.

We left on board as prisoners nineteen from the Redgauntlet, twenty-three from the B. F. Hoxie, and seventeen from the Southern Cross. They were all handcuffed, and kept on deck day and night, rain or shine. Five of the Redgauntlet's men shipped on board the Florida two days after their capture.

The discipline on board the Florida is bad, but probably as good as can be enforced under the circumstances. The officers, with the exception of the first lieutenant, are an inexperienced set of men; the chief engineer is a very efficient man, and every thing appears to be well conducted in his department. Her armament consists of six sixty-eights and two one hundred and twenties, all rifled and of British manufacture.

The moment the officer stepped on deck the confederate flag was set and the British flag hauled down. He demanded the ship's papers, examined them, and said that the ship was a prize. I told him our cargo was principally British, and called his attention to the consular certificate. He said that made no difference, the ship was a prize, and I must get my wardrobe ready and go on board the steamer, adding at the same time that the boat was ready, and in five minutes from the time we were boarded all hands were transferred to the steamer. As soon as I was aboard the Florida I went to Captain I think they trust more to running away than Maffit and told him that our cargo was principal- they do to fighting with their undisciplined crew. ly British, and asked him to bond the ship and With the exception of being plundered, I was let us proceed; but he refused decidedly, saying treated with courtesy by Captain Maffit and his that "since Lincoln had decided that the bonds officers. All hands except the mate and myself of the Ariel were null and void, he had deter- were put in irons, but after the first day were mined to bond no more ships; that he should let out at times, until the B. F. Hoxie was capdestroy them all, and if British merchants shipped tured.

goods in American ships they must run the risk

of losing them."

I asked him what he would do if he should

Doc. 69.

COLN.

By the President of the United States of America.

A PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS, the armed insurrectionary combinations now existing in several of the States are threatening to make inroads into the States of Maryland, Western Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, requiring immediately an additional military force for the service of the United States.

come across an American ship under British colors PROCLAMATION OF PRESIDENT LINwith a register from a British consul? He said that he should take her as a prize unless she had a British register in due form from a British custom-house. They commenced plundering the Redgauntlet at the moment of capture, and in smooth water plundered her from day to day. On the eighteenth of June, I, with ten others, were put on board the Italian brig Duo Fratelli, from Montevideo for Antwerp. We saw the Florida and Redgauntlet last on Friday, June nineteenth, in latitude fifteen degrees forty minutes north, longitude forty degrees west, both standing to the northward. They were only waiting for a smooth day to finish plundering the Redgauntlet before destroying her. She was pretty well plundered before I left the Florida. The provisions put on board for us were two barrels of beef, thirty tins of crackers, ten pounds of coffee, one half bushel of beans, and twenty pounds of sugar.

Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, and Commander of the army and navy thereof, and of the militia of the several States when called into the actual service, do hereby call into the service of the United States one hundred thousand militia from the States following, namely:

From the State of Maryland, ten thousand. From the State of Pennsylvania, fifty thousand.

From the State of Ohio, thirty thousand. From the State of West-Virginia, ten thousand. To be mustered into the service of the United States forthwith, and to serve for the period of six months from the date of such muster into said service, unless sooner discharged, to be mustered in as infantry, artillery, and cavalry, in proportions which will be made known through the War Department, which department will also designate the several places of rendezvous.

We have been aboard twenty-five days, and the prospect is, that we may reach port in ten more, and we are now short of provisions. No water was put aboard, the captain of the brig being told that if he wanted any he must send his casks for it; he was also told that they would compel him to take us whether he was willing or not. They took my chronometer and nautical instruments, books and charts, and a variety of articles, amounting in value to nine hundred dollars. I saved nothing except what was already in my trunks, as I was hurried off so quick. I trust that you had a war risk on the ship, and was not deceived as I was by the idea that a The States aforesaid will be respectively creditBritish consul's certificate would prevent the de- ed under the enrolment act for the militia servstruction of the ship. As others had been bond-ice rendered under this proclamation.

These militia are to be organized according to the rules and regulations of the volunteer service, and such orders as may hereafter be issued.

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Doc. 70.

Paulding, Defiance, Williams, Marion, Mercer Auglaize. For Camp Cleveland Cuyahoga Medina, Lorain, Ashland, Wayne, Holmes, Rich land, Crawford, Wyandotte, Hardin, Hancock, Putnam, Henry, Wood, Lucas, Ottowa, Sandusky, Seneca, Erie, Huron, Lake, Ashtabula, Geauga, Trumbull, Mahoning, Portage, Summit, and Stark. At Camp Pittsburgh, in the city of PittsburghColumbiana, Jefferson, and Belmont. The mili tary commissioners of the several counties are especially requested to exert themselves in securing a prompt response to this call.

The troops will all be organized into regiments and well armed before being ordered into service; GOVERNOR TOD'S PROCLAMATION. and now, fellow-citizens of the State, in the name COLUMBUS, Monday, June 15. and behalf of the best government on earth, let LEE'S rebel army is advancing in force upon me implore you to lay aside all other duties and Pennsylvania, Western Virginia, and the eastern obligations, and come forward promptly and cheerportion of our own State. To meet this horde fully for the preservation of all that is dear to us. of rebels, the President of the United States has, You will thus secure the gratitude of your childby proclamation, called out one hundred thou-ren's children, and the smiles and blessings of sand militia for the period of six months, unless sooner discharged. Of this force, thirty thousand are called from Ohio.

And now, gallant men of Ohio, will you promptly respond to this necessary call without hesi

heaven.

Doc. 71.

DAVID TOD,

Governor.

tancy? I have assured the President that you PROCLAMATION OF GOVERNOR CURTIN. would do so. Remember that our own sacred homes are threatened with pillage and destruction, and our wives and daughters with insult.

To the rescue, then, at once, and thus save all that is dear to man. As we have but few, if any, regularly organized companies of volunteer militia, I can but invite and implore you to duty. The few companies which have been recently organized are requested to repair at once, with their entire force, to the camps hereinafter indicated. All others will go forward in squads, and be organized into companies after their arrival in camp, for which purpose efficient officers will be designated.

IN the name and by the authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Andrew G. Curtin, Governor of the said Cominonwealth,

A PROCLAMATION.

The State of Pennsylvania is again threatened with invasion, and an army of rebels is approaching our borders. The President of the United States has issued his Proclamation calling upon the State for fifty thousand men. I now appeal to all the citizens of Pennsylvania who love liberty and are mindful of the history and traditions of their revolutionary fathers, and who feel that it is a sacred duty to guard and maintain the free institutions of our country, who hate treason and its abettors, and who are willing to defend their homes and firesides, and do invoke them to rise in their might and rush to the rescue in this hour of imminent peril. The issue is one of preservation or destruction. It involves considerations

Railroad transportation has been duly provided, and every provision necessary for the comfort of the men after their arrival in camp. A reasonable allowance will be made to every volunteer for his subsistence when en route to the camp; the pay and allowance for clothing will be the same as that of the volunteer service. Should more respond than the Government requires, the sur-paramount to all matters of mere expediency and plus men will be returned to their homes free of all expenses to themselves, with the regular pay for the period necessarily absent.

I have now but to designate the camps of rendezvous for the several counties, to wit: Camp Dennison, for all who may respond from the Counties of Hamilton, Butler, Preble, Darke, Miami, Montgomery, Warren, Greene, Clinton, Clermont, Brown, Adams, Highland, Ross, Scioto, and Pike. At Camp Marietta-Lawrence, Gallia, Jackson, Meigs, Vinton, Monroe, Noble, Morgan, and Hocking. At Camp Chase-Franklin, Pickaway, Fairfield, Fayette, Madison, Clark, Perry, Muskingum, Guernsey, Coshocton, Licking, Knox, Delaware, Union, Champaigne, Logan, Shelby, Morrow, Carroll, Harrison, Tuscarawas, Vanwert,

all questions of local interest. All ties, social and political, all ties of a personal and partisan character, sink by comparison into insignificance. It is now to be determined by deeds, and not by words alone, who are for us, and who are against us. That it is the purpose of the enemy to invade our borders with all the strength he can command, is now apparent. Our only defence rests upon the determined action of the citizens of our free commonwealth.

I therefore call on the people of Pennsylvania capable of bearing arms, to enrol themselves in military organizations, and to encourage all oth ers to give aid and assistance to the efforts which will be put forth for the protection of the State and the salvation of our common country.

Doc. 72.

DESTRUCTION OF REBEL SALT WORKS
IN PRINCESS ANN COUNTY, VA.
NORFOLK, VA., June 20, 1863.
ON Tuesday morning Major Murray, of the
One Hundred and Forty-eighth New-York, with
one hundred men of his regiment, started from
Portsmouth upon a raiding expedition into Prin-
cess Ann County. As he journeyed along he
picked up all the horses and mules that he found
upon the route, and mounted his men. He made
his way direct to the coast, and when at Land
Bridge, which is about fifteen miles below Cape
Henry, he destroyed seven rebel salt works.
Proceeding five miles below on the coast, he de-
stroyed another. Ten miles further south ten
more salt works were levelled to the ground, and
over one thousand bushels of salt destroyed. A
sloop lying near by, containing four hundred
bushels, was destroyed.

After all this had been accomplished, the expedition visited Wales Neck, and there found a large lot of pans and lumber, intended to be used in the construction of other salt works. The lumber was burned, as were some additional five hundred cords of fire-wood that were intended for fuel. The pans were rendered useless. Currituck Sound was then struck, where the expedition halted all night on Wednesday, having marched nearly forty miles a day up to that time.

him that he desired to be reinstated, and asking his opinion what would be done with him by us if captured, for breaking his parole. If he were to be caught, our Government would not be slow in determining what punishment he merits.

A letter which was being written by one of his daughters (and yet unfinished) to her cousin, stated that Captain Semmes, son of the famous rebel pirate, said the compliments of the escaped party were due General Dix, and when again seventy-five rebel prisoners are to be transported a guard of three hundred armed Yankees will have to be put over them. This was nothing more than Southern braggadocio, and Captain Semmes may rest easy that no more rebel prisoners will escape from a steamer, no matter what may be their number.

The whole expedition was attended with much success, and reflects favorably upon the skill and courage of the officer in charge, together with his men, not one of whom was lost. Some of the salt was brought in here, and is of a very fair quality. The destruction of so many works will greatly limit the rebels in the use of this luxury, which they were so short of directly after the war broke out.

Princess Ann County was pretty well scoured, and a few more raids like the above will clean it out of every thing which it possesses, that is of any value to the enemy.

Doc. 73.

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, TRENTON, N. J., June 16, 1863.

A PROCLAMATION

The Major and his men wended their way slowly back, reaching Portsmouth yesterday PROCLAMATION OF GOVERNOR PARKER. afternoon. This morning the horses and mules, numbering about a hundred, were brought across the river, and taken to the Custom-House yard, to be delivered over to the military authorities. Many of the animals were of an indifferent character, but there were a number of valuable beasts among the lot. Several were valued at about five hundred dollars each. These were blooded stock, and belonged to a horse-jockey who has been engaged in buying up horses for the rebel government. The finer horses he disposed of privately to officers in the secesh army. He narrowly escaped being captured.

Two prisoners were brought in. Besides the captures, Major Murray gained some important and interesting information relative to the prisoners who made their escape from the steamer Maple Leaf, last week. After leaving the coast below Cape Henry Light-House, where they landed, they went to the house of a Mr. Borroughs, (late a Major in the rebel army,) at Long Island, which was some twenty miles distant. He entertained them handsomely, and then piloted them through a portion of North-Carolina, after which he reentered this State, and took them safely to Richmond, where he now is.

This Major Borroughs four months ago resigned his commission in the rebel army, and was paroled by us not to aid the confederates in any way. He broke his parole, and from letters found in his house, it appears that he stated the fact to the rebel Secretary of War, informing

JERSEYMEN: The State of Pennsylvania is invaded. A hostile army is now occupying and despoiling the towns of our sister State. She appeals to New-Jersey, through her Governor, to aid in driving back the invading army. us respond to the call upon our patriotic State with unprecedented zeal.

Let

I therefore call upon the citizens of this State to meet and organize into companies, and report to the Adjutant-General of the State, as soon as possible to be organized into regiments as the militia of New-Jersey, and press forward to the assistance of Pennsylvania in this emergency. The organization of these troops will be given in General Orders as soon as practicable.

Attest: S. M. DICKINSON,

Private Secretary.

Doc. 74.

JOEL PARKER.

THE FIGHT AT ALDIE, VA.

ALDIE, Wednesday, June 17, 1863.

THE advance of General Gregg's cavalry command reached this place at about two o'clock this afternoon, where two brigades of the enemy, commanded by General Stuart in person, were found in possession. After three hours' hard fighting they were forced to retire. The fight,

while it lasted, was one of the sharpest that has occurred during the war, and, as a consequence, the loss of officers and men on both sides is very heavy.

other regiments already named, drove them pell mell over the hill. The First Maine, at about this time, was called in from the left, ana, with the First Massachusetts, stationed on the Snicker's Gap road, to a position held by the second battalion of the Fourth New-York.

The enemy's pickets were first encountered a little east of the village by companies H and M, of the Second New-York (Harris Light) cavalry, The rebels, at this time, charged down the under the command of Lieutenant Dan Whita- same road, and drove before them a squadron, ker, and were by them driven through the town when General Kilpatrick ordered the First Maine, back to a ridge of hills half a mile to the west, Colonel Douty, First Massachusetts, Lieutenantextending across from the Middleburgh and Colonel Curtis, and a battalion of the Fourth NewSnicker's Gap road, where the rebel force was in York, under Colonel Cesnola, to charge up the position ready for action. The advance brigade road. There was a little hesitancy at first, when under General Kilpatrick, immediately moved General Kilpatrick, accompanied by Colonel through to the westerly edge of the town. The Douty, of the First Maine, and Captain Costar, of First Maine, Colonel Douty, was sent off to a General Pleasanton's staff, went to the front, and point half a mile to the left, and the Fourth New-called upon the troops to follow. There was no York, Colonel Cesnola, to the right, to support a section of Andrews's battery placed on a rise of ground north of the Snicker's Gap road. The enemy at this time occupied the hill, as before stated, where they had four guns in position; a line of their skirmishers occupied a fence on the eastern slope, and a long ditch, just in front of which were half a dozen stacks of hay, thus com-cupy their position. manding both Middleburgh and Snicker's Gap roads. A stronger position could not well have been selected.

hesitancy then. The Maine boys gave three cheers for General Kilpatrick, and the whole column made a dash up the road in the face of a terrible fire from carbines, rifles, and cannon, sweeping every thing before them. This virtually ended the fight. The rebels, after a little more skirmishing, fell back, and our forces to-night oc

Colonel Cesnola was under arrest at the commencement of the action, but set such a gallant example to his men, by leading the first charge When the exact position of the enemy had without his sword, that, upon returning to the been ascertained by drawing their fire, General road, General Kilpatrick released him from arKilpatrick rode up to the Second New-York, (Har-rest, and placed upon him his own sword. He ris Light,) and said then was the time for them immediately after participated in the charge with to wipe out the reflection cast upon them for their alleged misconduct in the fight of last week, at Brandy Station. He ordered them to charge into the valley and secure the haystacks; the ditch or ravine at the rear of the position had not then been discovered. Companies H and M, accompanied by Lieutenants Whitaker, Raymond, Martinson, Homan, and Stuart, moved off down the Middleburgh road, the fence to the right was quickly thrown down, and, with a dash, this forlorn hope rushed up to the hay-stacks. For the first time their fire was opened from the ditch a little to the rear of the hay-stacks. This was filled with rebel cavalry-many of them armed with rifles. Captain Grintar, with Lieutenants Mattison and Shafer, and company K, dashed up immediately to the support of these companies, F, I, D, and G, went to the right up the Snicker's Gap road a piece, turned to the left, crossed the field, and reached the scene of conflict in time to take an active part.

the First Maine, First Massachusetts, and Fourth
New-York, and has not been seen since. A ser-
geant of the regiment asserts that he saw the
Colonel fall, and is sure that he was killed, and
some of the rebel prisoners confirm this report.
But the report of his death is not generally be-
lieved. In this charge General Kilpatrick had a
horse shot under him, and Colonel Douty, of the
First Maine, was killed. When returning from
the charge, the body was found by Captain
Vaughn, who had it properly cared for.
shots struck him, probably at about the same
time. The First Massachusetts captured the bat-
tle-flag of the Fourth Virginia cavalry.

Two

More than one hundred prisoners were captured, members, principally, of the First, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Virginia cavalry. They say they were under the command of General Stuart. Among the prisoners is one colonel, three majors, and a lot of line officers. The major and sixty men, who were stationed behind the haystacks, The contest for twenty minutes at this point were nearly all captured. The major considered was about as spirited a scene as is often witness-his position impregnable, not believing that any ed on a battle-field. The Sixth Ohio, Major cavalry would dare make a charge upon the place, Steadman, was sent up the road to the left to swept as the whole field was by three lines of support the Harris Light, when the whole com- guns. mand, with the Major at its head, dashed into the fight just in time to decide the unequal contest. The rebels were forced to abandon their position, and all who were not killed or captured, fled precipitately up the hill. They made a short stand behind the fence, when a dash from a battalion of the Fourth New-York, called in from its position behind the battery, together with the

The meeting of General Gregg's command was entirely unexpected by the rebels. Stuart had arrived thus far on a forced march into Maryland, having marched twenty-five miles this morning, and expecting to be on the road again in the evening. Two regiments had entered the town, and had pressed into their service all the blacksmith tools to be found; and when our advance-guard

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