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The Star chamber in America!!
[From the Baltimore Exchange, July 2d.] Events succeed each other at present, with such startling rapidity, that it is scarcely worth while to do more than chronicle them. Each day it is thought that the minions of the Black Abolition Republican party have perpetrated the crowning outrage of the age; but the succeeding one witnesses some other act of military usurpation and tyranny, more infamous and outrageous than any that have preceded it. Yesterday, at an early hour, the greatest excitement prevailed. Men hurried to and fro; crowds gathered on the streets, and business was almost wholly suspended. A large military force had marched into the city, in the night, and arrested the Board of Police. Rumors floated about as to the arrest of several other leading gentlemen. Troops and batteries were stationed in all the important positions of the city. The facts, as near as we can learn, are as follows: A detachment of Col. Morehead's regiment, under his command, six hundred strong, proceeded first to the residence of John W. Davis, Esq., on Montgomery street, near William street. On ringing the bell, Mr. Davis answered from one of the upper windows, and asked the cause of the visit. He was informed that they had come to arrest him, and desired him to dress himself and come down.--Mr. Davis immediately complied, and in a few moments was seated in the hack. This arrest took place about two o'clock in the morning. The command then proceeded to the residence of Charles D. Hinks, Esq., No. 257 West Lombard street. The bell was rung and quickly followed by a heavy rap on the door. For some days past a young child of Mr. Hinks' family had been quite sick, and at the time the bell was rung, Mrs. Hinks was up administering to its wants. She went to the window and observed the files of soldiers, and instantly surmised the object of the visit. She asked what was wanted, when an officer replied that they had come to arrest Mr. Hinks. Mrs. Hinks requested them to make as little noise as possible, as there was sickness in the family. The officer replied that he could not help that; Mr. Hinks was his prisoner, and he wanted him. Mrs. Hinks then a woke her husband. He went to the window and told the officer that he would be down in a few minutes. For more than a year past Mr. Hinks has been in very delicate health, and he occupied some few minutes in dressing. The officer at the door became impatient and demanded that the door should be opened, or he would burst it in. He blew a whistle, and ten men answered it, and came to the porch. By this time Mr. Hinks had gotten down stairs and opened the door. He complained that the officer had been so impatient, and asked where he was to be taken.--The reply was, ‘"you'll see."’ Mr. Hinks said that he desired that his family should know, when the officer replied, ‘"Fort McHenry."’--On entering the carriage he found Mr. Davis there. The column faced about, and the line of march was taken up for the fort. Col. Jones, of the 6th Massachusetts Infantry, proceeded with several hundred men to the residence of Chas. Howard, Esq., in Cathedral street, near Read. On ringing the front door bell, Mr. Howard appeared at the window, and being informed of the object of the visit, after the necessary delay of a few moments came down and delivered himself up, when he was placed in a hack and escorted to Fort McHenry. Another command, of about five hundred men, marched to the house of Mrs. Ducatel, in Saratoga street, and rang the bell. Mrs. D. made her appearance, and was informed that they had come for the purpose of arresting Mr. Gatchell. Mr. G., who was necessarily detained for a few minutes, not making a speedy appearance, the officer in command became very impatient and rapped loudly at the door. Mrs. D. appeared each time at the window and told him not to be in a hurry, that gentlemen must have time to dress, and that she thought there was no cause of uneasiness, as certainly five hundred soldiers ought to be able to capture one unarmed elderly gentleman. This did not allay the impatience of the officer, who knocked again several times. Mr. G. at last appeared. As he came into the street, several revolvers were drawn by the military. Mr. G. made no remark except as he entered the carriage, when he said quietly that it was certainly a great array for the capture of an old man of sixty-two years of age. On the arrival of these gentlemen at the Fort they were confined, together with Marshal Kane and Mr. Merryman, in three very small rooms. No attention was paid to their comfort, nor were they provided with or asked if they desired bed, bedding or food. They were visited during the day by Mayor Brown, Mr. Wallis, Mr. Pitts, and several friends.--Later in the day orders were sent by the gentlemen themselves to Mr. Jenkins, cabinet maker, to send them down the necessary bedding. There is every appearance of great uneasiness exhibited at the Fort. Chevaux-de-frise are being thrown up and active preparations being made to protect the Fort from an assault. At any other period than the present, the ridiculous alarm exhibited by the troops in and around the city would be a matter of much amusement. The following is the proclamation under which these arrests were perpetrated: Headquarters, Dep't of Annapolis, Fort McHenry, July 1. In pursuance of orders issued from the headquarters of the Army at Washington, for the preservation of the public peace in this department, I have arrested, and do now detain in custody of the United States, the late members of the Board of Police, Messrs. Chas. Howard, Wm. Gatchell, Chas. Hinks, and John W. Davis. The incidents of the past week afforded full justification for this order, The headquarters, under the charge of the Board, when abandoned by the officers, resembled in some respects a concealed arsenal. After public recognition and protest against the ‘"suspension of their functions,"’ they continued their sessions daily. Upon a forced and unwarrantable construction of my proclamation of the 28th ultimo, they declared that the Police Law was suspended, and the police officers and men put off duty for the present, intending to leave the city without any police protection whatever. They refused to recognize the officers or men necessarily selected by the Provost Marshal for its protection, and hold, subject to their orders, now and hereafter, the old police force, a large body of armed men, for some purpose, not known to the Government, and inconsistent with its peace or security. To anticipate any intentions or orders on their part, I have placed temporarily a portion of the force under my command with in the city. I disclaim on the part of the Government I represent, all desire, intention and purpose to interfere in any manner whatever with the ordinary municipal affairs of the city of Baltimore Whenever a loyal citizen can be named who will execute its police laws with impartiality and in good faith to the United States, the military force will be withdrawn from the central parts of the municipality at once. No soldier will be permitted in the city, except under regulations satisfactory to the Marshal; and if any so admitted violate the municipal law, they shall be punished according to the civil law, by the civil tribunals. Nath'l P. Banks, Major General Commanding. The Exchange further says: ‘ The movement of yesterday by which our city was filled with troops, has met the unqualified disapprobation of our citizens, and is almost universally condemned. It is only supported by the Black Republicans. The really good men of the Union party are open and earnest in the expression of their dissatisfaction. ’
The Daily Dispatch: July 4, 1861. Richmond Dispatch. 4 pages. by Cowardin & Hammersley. Richmond. July 4, 1861. microfilm. Ann Arbor, Mi : Proquest. 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm.
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