The Daily Dispatch: September 12, 1861., [Electronic resource]

There is also appended to the message another letter from Gov. Harris to Gov. Magoffin, under date of Aug. 20, in regard to the seizure of the steamers Jerry and Orr, the concluding paragraphs of which we copy:

It is with profound interest and regret that I have witnessed recently the open violation of the neutrality of Kentucky by the Government of the United States, by the establishment of military encampments and other warlike preparations within the territorial limites and jurisdiction of your State. If we should unfortunately be on the eve of a collision between our States, produced by the machinations of a common enemy, I desire, at this time, on behalf of Tennessee, to renew to your Excellency, as the official representative of Kentucky, as the official representative of Kentucky, the assurances heretofore given, that the authorities and people of Tennessee have faithfully observed and respected the neutrality of your State, and will, if permitted by the authorities and people of Kentucky, continue to do so; that nothing but hostile acts and demonstrations against Tennessee and the Confederate States shall ever initiate the contest between our States, though our citizens of different Governments and they are at war with each other. Our people cannot forget the past, The relations and connections formed in peace and war, during an association of three-fourths of a century, cannot be severed in a month or a year. The indigestion felt by as towards the aggressive and vindictive majority of the free States has never been entertained towards Kentuckians.

We feel that socially, commercially, politically and geographically, you are so connected with us as to render hatred and hostility anomalous and unnatural. The Confederate Government has never demanded, and we trust and believe never will demand, that we should wantonly or unjustly infringe the neu trality of Kentucky; and our policy and intentions in this regard have been not only expressed, but demonstrated by our conduct up to this time.

Under these circumstances we cannot believe that Kentucky will, at the instigation of either of the belligerents, abandon the position of neutrality so lately and solemnly assumed, or permit it to be used so as to render a hollow peace more harassing and dangerous than open war.

I cannot close this communication without again calling the attention of your Excellency to the continuances of some, and the formation of other, encampments of Federal troops within the State of Kentucky, evident for the purposes of hostility to Tennessee and the Confederate States, as well as the transportation of arms and munitions to some of our discontented citizens.

I have no doubt that Kentucky assumed the position of neutrality in good faith, nor do I doubt the determination of your Excellency to maintain it fairly and honorably, but would respectfully ask the concurrence of all departments of your State Government in the removal of these irritating and harassing causes of controversy, which constantly endanger the peaceful relations of our States and people.

The correspondence with Lincoln we have published heretofore. It will be remembered that he said he ‘"acted upon the urgent solicitation of many Kentuckians, and in accordance with what"’ he ‘"believed to be the wish of a majority"’ of the Kentucky people, and that he does ‘"not believe it is the popular wish of Kentucky that the force should be removed."’ He therefore declined to comply with Gov. Magoffin's request.

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Occupation of Western Kentucky.

Paducah was occupied by the Lincoln troops, under the command of Gen. Grant, on Friday. They took possession of the telegraph, the branch of the Bank of Louisville, and the Marine Hospital. We hear, however, that the coin was removed from the bank before their arrival. The enemy were in force, being about three thousand five hundred strong of men of all arms. A committee of the Legislature of Kentucky has gone down to Paducah to demand by what authority they occupy Kentucky soil. They will, of course, answer ‘"by authority of the Government of the United States, to which Kentucky owes allegiance."’ Such an answer demonstrates the absurdity of the much-talked-of doctrine of neutrality.

It is also rumored that the Confederate forces under General Polk are at Columbus and Hickman. Doubtless they had intelligence of the enemy's design to occupy Paducah, and determined to break up a very pretty plan of Gen. Grant to invade Tennessee from that direction. He has been thus effectually checkmated by the vigilance and energy of our Generals. We hope to see our cause pressed with equal energy in other quarters.

The Memphis Appeal, of the 8th inst., says:

‘ General Pillow, having returned from Missouri, took charge of the Confederate forces at Union City, and being joined by a portion of his command from Missouri, on yesterday advanced upon Columbus, Ky., which place he occupied without resistance. The Federal troops had taken their stand opposite, on the west bank of the river, a few days since, apparently with the design of fortifying themselves there; but are understood to have moved higher up in the direction of Norfolk, Missouri.

The number of troops under Gen. Pillow we, of course, do not deem it prudent to mention; but the mere fact of his advance we think proper to publish now, instead of copying the same intelligence from the Cincinnati or St. Louis papers, which we may receive on to- morrow.

Hickman is also in possession of our forces, a sufficiently large command being there for all practical purposes. We presume these two places will be speedily fortified, with the view of holding them until the termination of the war, or until they cease to be points of strategic importance.

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