William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

‘ [157] against the formal protest of the Governor and the corporate authorities of Annapolis, but without armed opposition on their part.’ He informed Governor Hicks that the soldiers of his command were armed only against insurgents and disturbers of the peace of Maryland and of the United States. He received from the Governor and Mayor assurances of the loyalty of the State to the Union. He told the Governor and Mayor, that, supported by the authorities of the State and city, he should repress all hostile demonstrations against the laws of Maryland and the United States; and would protect both himself and the city of Annapolis from any disorderly persons whatever. Therefore, when he was subsequently informed of the probable insurrection, he could do nothing less than make the offer he did, as it came within the pledge he had given. He proceeds, ‘The question seemed to me to be neither military nor political, and was not to be so treated. It was simply a question of good faith and honesty of purpose.’ He then speaks of ‘the benign effect’ which his offer had upon the people of Annapolis. The people had returned to their homes, and peace and order everywhere prevailed. ‘Confidence took the place of distrust, friendship of enmity, brotherly kindness of sectional hate; and I believe to-day there is no city in the Union more loyal than the city of Annapolis. I think, therefore, I may safely point to the results for my justification.’ He also says,—the ‘neighboring county of Washington’ had a few days before elected a Union delegate to the Legislature by a vote of four thousand out of five thousand ballots,—This vote ‘is among the many fruits of firmness of purpose, efficiency of action, and integrity of mission.’ But, as he may have to act hereafter ‘in an enemy's country, among a servile population, when the question may arise as it has not yet arisen, as well in a moral and Christian as in a political and military point of view, what shall I do?’ The remainder of the letter we give entire—