Price's Circular,

a

of the State soon the cry went forth for help. | little disappointment in tlie Government, evidently, proposed to discard suspension, by the Federal the arrangement entered into. It dispatched Government, of Harney. He added: a regiment down to Bird's Point, May 29th, “The Federal Government, however, has thought to cover the Cairo encampment and to afford / proper to remove General Harney from the com. the Unionists of that section the protection mand of the Department of the West; but as the of the Federal Government.

successor of General Harney will certainly consider

himself and his Government in honor bound to carry Nor was Harney long Harney's Recall. left in command. The ar

out this agreement in good faith, I feel assured that

his removal should give no cause of uneasiness to rangement with Price was entirely rejected

our citizens for the security of their liberties and by the authorities at Washington; its accept-property. I intend, on my part, to adhere both to ance would have conceded the right of State its spirit and letter. neutrality, and gave the force of a concession

“ The rumors in circulation that it is the intention to an Executive whose entire course toward of the officer now in command of this depot to disthe Federal Government had thus far been arm those of our citizens who do not agree in opinion characterized by treason and defiance. Har- with the Administration at Washington, and put arms ney's removal had been determined upon,

in the hands of those who, in some localities of this and ordered, as early as May 16th; but, for State, are supposed to sympathize with the views of

the Federal Government, are, I trust, unfounded. some not apparent reason, the notice of suspension was withheld. The reception, at

“ The purpose of such a movement could not be Washington, of the terms of agreement with misunderstood, and it would not only be a palpable Price, caused the immediate dispatch of the violation of the agreement referred to, and an equal

ly plain violation of our constitutional rights, but a notice of May 16th. May 31st Harney announced his want of authority in the Depart- would be resisted to the last extremity.

gross indignity to the citizens of the State, which ment of the West. He was succeeded by

• My wish and hope is, that the people of the State General Nathaniel Lyon.

of Missouri be permitted in peace and security to deJune 4th, Sterling Price cide upon their future course, and so far as my abil. Price's Circular.

issued a circular directed ities can effect this object, it shall be accomplished. "to the Brigadier-Generals commanding the “The people of Missouri cannot be forced, under several Military Districts in Missouri,” in the the terrors of a military invasion, into a position not course of which he thus adverted to his views of their free choice. of the agreement with Harney:

“A million of such people as the citizens of Mis“ Having taken no steps toward dissolving our

souri were never yet subjugated, and it attempted. connection with the Federal Government, there was

let no apprehensions be entertained of the result.” no reason whatever of disturbing the peace and

The arrogance and open

General Lyon's Movetranquillity of Missouri. I have therefore desired, ly expressed treason of this and such I am authorized has been, and still is, the document certainly indidesire of the Chief Executive under whose orders I cated to General Lyon that, if he would preacted, that the people of Missouri should exercise

serve Missouri, no delay should occur in the the right to choose their own position in any contest occupation of the strong strategic points. He which might be forced upon them, unaided by any immediately conferred with the War Departmilitary force whatever. The right to bear arms in

ment by telegraph and special messengers, defense of themselves and of their State cannot be

and arranged to throw regiments forward to questioned, secured, as it is, by both the Constitution of the United States and of this State.

Springfield, Kansas City and Jefferson City, “ For the purpose, therefore, of securing to the strengthening Bird's Point and occupying people of Missouri a free exercise of their undoubted Rolla. rights, and with a view to preserve peace and order

Obtaining an inkling of the contemplated throughout the State, an agreeinent has been enter- movements, and to gain time for the furthered into between General Harney and myself, which I ance of his schemes, Governor Jackson and consider alike honorable to both parties and govern. Price solicited an interview with General ments represented.”

Lyon, to “try to come to an understanding." But the ex-Governor had to confess to a I Lyon cheerfully consented and issued his or

ments.

INTERVIEW

BETWEEN JACKSON, PRICE

AND LYON.

165

der for their safe transit to and from St. could put forth a formida

Interview between Louis, viz.:

ble opposition to the Gen- Jackson, Price and “ HEAD-QUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE WEST,

Lyon. eral Government, and even

} St. Louis, Mo., June 6, 1861. ** It having been suggested that Governor Clai- less form in certain localities, to oppress and

without arming, combinations would doubtborne F. Jackson and ex-Governor Sterling Price drive out loyal citizens, to whom the Governare desirous of an interview with General Lyon, commanding this Department, for the purpose of effect- ment was bound to give protection, but which ing, if possible, a pacific solution of the domestic it would be helpless to do, as also to retroubles of Missouri, it is hereby stipulated on the press such combinations, if its forces could part of Brigadier-General N. Lyon, U. S. A., com

not be sent into the State. A large aggressive manding this military Department, that, should force might be formed and advanced from the Governor Jackson an ex- rnor Sterling Price, exterior into the State, to assist in carrying of either of them, at any time prior to, or on the 12th out the secession programme, and the Governday of June, 1861, visit St. Louis for the purpose of ment could not, under the limitation propossuch interview, they and each of them shall be free ed, take posts on these borders to meet and from molestation or arrest on account of any charge repel such force. The Government could not pending against them, or either of them, on the part shrink from its duties nor abdicate its corresof the United States, during their journey to St. ponding rights; and, in addition to the above, Louis, their stay at St. Louis, and their return from St. Louis to Jefferson City.

it was the duty of its civil officers to execute Given under the hand of the General command civil process; and, in case of resistance. to ing, the day and year above written,

receive the support of military force. The “N. LYON, Brigadier-General Commanding."

proposition of the Governor would at once
The State officials arrived overtarn the Government privileges and pre-
Interview between
Jackson, Price and in St. Louis, by special rogatives which he (General Lyon) had nei-
Lyon.

train, June 11th, when the ther the wish nor authority to do. In his interview took place — General Lyon and opinion, if the Governor and the State authorColonel Blair, accompanied by Major Conant, ities would earnestly set about to maintain calling at the hotel. The substance of its the peace of the State, and declare their purproceedings may be thus stated : Price, speak- poses to resist outrages upon loyal citizens of ing for the Governor, demanded that no

the Government, and repress insurrections armed bodies of United States troops should against it, and in case of violent combinations pass through, or be stationed in, the State-needing co-operation of the United States assuming that Governor Jackson would then troops, they should call upon or accept such disband his own troops and give protection assistance, and in case of threatened invasion, to all classes of men alike. The ex-Governor the Government troops took suitable posts to denied that he had ever entertained any other meet it, the purposes of the Government would idea of State Rights, and asserted that his be subserved, and no infringement of State agreement with Harney was explicit on these rights or dignity committed. He would take points. When asked about the Harney mem

good care in such faithful co-operation of the orandum he denied any knowledge of it. State authorities to this end, that no indiThe document itself was produced. It was

vidual should be injured in person or proper

ty, and that the utmost delicacy should be "N. B. Read to General Price, in the presence of observed toward all peaceable persons con. Major Turner, on the evening of May 21st.”

cerned in these relations. The official was disconcerted, but insisted These were the views of a clear head and upon his points as the only basis for a peace. a loyal heart; upon them the General might Lyon, of course, repudiated the demands as rest his case with any court than one radicalalike preposterous and treasonable. He as- ly disloyal. The two State functionaries sumed that, if the Government withdrew its wanted to debate the question, but Lyon cut forces entirely, secret and subtle measures off debate by urging that he could not and would be resorted to to provide arms and would not accept any other view. Price

organizations which, upon any pretext, (bent upon obtaining time) asked to open a

subscribed :

effect

Jackson's Final

Defection.

The Call to Arms.

correspondence—a request | stitutional requirements of the Federal Government General Lyon politely but But it is equally my duty to advise you that your first

decidedly declined. The allegiance is due to your own State, and that you are interview ended. The Governors returned under no obligation whatever to obey the unconstiby their special train that evening, and before tutional edicts of the military despotism which bas the morning of the 12th, the Gasconade rail- introduced itself at Washington, nor submit to the way bridge was burned, as well as the west- in this State. No brave-hearted Missourian will obey

infamous and degrading sway of its wicked minions ern span of the bridge over the Osage river. the one or submit to the other. Rise, then, a'.d drive The telegraphi wires were cut. The Govern

out ignominiously the invaders who have dared to deor's son acted as director of the destruction. secrate the soil which your labors have made fruitful, A proclamation was immediately prepared and which is consecrated by your homes. by the Governor, of an openly revolutionary

" CLAIBORNE F. JACKSON." and treasonable character. He denounced Thus was the mask dropthe acts of the Federal troops as “a series of ped, and the deluded agent unprovoked and unparalleled outrages,” and of despotism stood forth in his true character. called out fifty thousand of the State militia, He fled from Jefferson City with such of the “for the purpose of repelling invasion.” He State Guard as were available, taking steamgave his own version of his interview with er for Booneville, to which point he directed General Lyon, and declared that he “humili- troops to rally, and whither all obtainable ated” himself by promising to maintain a arms, munitions and stores were rapidly strict neutrality and to refrain from making borne. Ex-Governor Price dispatched his military preparations, because he was anx- “Minute Men” to all sections of the State to ious to avert the horrors of civil war; but, arouse the people and concentrate forces. that the Federal commander having refused The most outrageous falsehoods were dissem. to disarm the Ilome Guard, and having minated of Federal designs; no means were claimed the right of military occupation, the left unemployed which would "fire" the peoGovernor declared that “all efforts towards ple, and inspire hate of the General Govern. conciliation have failed," and proceeded to ment. It was the old story over again of call out the militia. The proclamation con- baseness and deception towards his own peocluded:

ple: they gathered to fight an enemy whom " In issuing this proclamation I hold it to be my they had been informed and made to believe, most solemn duty to remind you that Missouri is

were “Dutch hirelings" come for subjugation still one of the United States; that the Executive De

and spoils. partment of the State Government does not arrogate

Thus, the door to peace was closed; and to itself the power to disturb that relation; that power has been wisely vested in the Convention, which Missouri, through the treason of her Governor, will at the proper time express your sovereign will; entered upon the untried reality of testing and that meanwhile it is your duty to obey all con. the power of the Central Government.

Resolutions.

GOVERNOR Magoffin of ment and ascendency of the Kentucky The Governor's

Kentucky, after his unne- true Union sentiment: Proclamation

cessarily offensive reply to "Events of commanding importance to the future the requisition of the Federal Government, safety and honor of Kentucky have occurred which hastened to take such steps as must, eventu

call for action on the part of her citizens; and every ally, place the State in a position of offense consideration of self-interest, and every dictate of and defense. The Legislature was convened,

wisdom and patriotism must prompt our State to

maintain most resolutely her position of loyalty. by proclamation on the 18th of April, to meet

Situated on the border of the Slave States, with sev. April 28th. After adverting to the attitude

en hundred miles of territory exposed to hostile of the Northern States, the proclamation de

attack, should the Union be divided into two sepaclared : “Whatever else should be done it is,

rate sovereignties, and with but one million of popu. in my judgment, the duty of Kentucky, lation to oppose the four or five millions of the States without delay, to place herself in a complete contiguous to her, which might become anfriendly, position for defense. The causes for appre- Kentucky owes it to herself to exercise a wise prehension are now certainly grave enough to caution before she precipitates any course of action impel every Kentuckian to demand that this which may involve her in an internecine war. She be done, and to require of the Legislature of has no reason to distrust the present kindly feelings the State such additional action as may be of the people who reside on the north bank of the necessary for the general welfare."

Ohio river, long her friendly neighbors, and connectOn the evening of the

ed by a thousand ties of consanguinity, but she must

realize the fact that if Kentucky separates from the 18th, an immense Union Demonstration.

Federal Union, and assumes her sovereign powers meeting was held in Louis

as an independent State, that Ohio, Indiana and Nli. ville, at which addresses were delivered by

nois, remaining loyal to the Federal Union, mast Hon. James Guthrie, Hon. Archie Dixon, Hon.

become her political antagonists. If Kentucky deJohn Young Brown, Judge Nicholas and

serts the Stars and Stripes, and those States adhere Judge Bullock-all eminent and influential

to the flag of the Union, it seems impossible to ima. men, whose speeches, spread on the wings of gine a continuance of our old friendly relations when the omnipotent press, carried strength and constantly recurring causes of irritation could not hope all over the State, to the conservative" be avoided. It is from no fear that Kentucky would element. The following important resolves not always prove herself equal to the exigencies of were passed with scarcely a dissenting voice.

any new position she might see proper to assume, We give them for their intrinsic interest, and

and from no distrust of the bravery of her sons, that also for the reason that they embody the sen

these suggestions are made; but as 'when in the

course of human events it becomes necessary for timents of that school of politicians whose “ conservatism” led them to withhold an ac

one people to dissolve the political bands which

have connected them with another, a decent respect tive and open support of the Federal Govern

to the opinions of mankind requires that they should ment in its struggle with treason. If they declare the causes which impel them to the separadid not directly sustain the Government, they tion,' so an equal necessity exists that we should held secessionism up to abhorrence, and thus not dissolve those bands with our friends and neighi. paved the way for the permanent develop- | bors without calling to our aid every suggestion of

Great Union

prudence and exhausting every “Ninth. That the Union and the Constitution, being Kentucky Resolutions.

effort to reconcile difficulties mainly the work of Southern soldiers and statesmen, before taking steps which cannot be retraced, and in our opinion, furnishes a surer guaranty for · Southmay lead to exasperation, collisions and oventual ern Rights' than can be found under any other syswar; therefore, be it

tem of Government yet devised by man." * Resolved-First. That as the Confederate States The speeches made upon

Great Union have, by overt acts, commenced war against the the occasion were more pa

Demonstration. United States, without consultation with Kentucky triotic than the resolutions. and their sister Southern States, Kentucky reserves

While they urged the “ neutrality" of Kento herself the right to choose her own position, and tucky they were unsparing in their denuncithat while her natural sympathies are with those ations of the enemies of the General Governwho have a common interest in the protection of Slavery, she still acknowledges her loyalty and feal- ment. It was not difficult to see that, when ty to the Government of the United States, which the best interests of the State demanded, sho will cheerfully render until that Government be. Kentucky would be ready to battle as nobly comes aggressive, tyrannical and regardless of our for the Union as Henry Clay would have her rights in slave property.

do were he still living. • Second. That the National Government should be The municipal authorities of Louisville tried by its acts, and that the several States, as its visited-April 24th-5th-the cities of Cinpeers in their appropriate spheres, will hold it to a cinnati, Madison, &c., to reassure the people rigid accountability, and require that its acts should of those cities of the amicable disposition of be fraternal in their efforts to bring back the sece- Kentucky, and to obtain from the municipal ding States, and not sanguinary or coercive..

authoritios and citizens pledges of their " Third. That, as we oppose the call of the Presi. dent for volunteers for the purpose of coercing the co-operation to keep up amicable and com

mercial relations. They returned, April 26th, seceding States, so we oppose the raising of troops in this State to co-operate with the Southern Con

to report the most hearty assurances of kind federacy, when the acknowledged intention of the foeling “over the border.” latter is to march upon the City of Washington and

The formation of the

Interviews with capture the Capital, and when, in its march thither, camp at Cairo was a source it must pass through States which have not yet re- of annoyance to the revolunounced their allegiance to the Union.

tionists. Paducah and Columbus, in West“ Fourth. That Secession is a remedy for no evils, ern Kentucky, had, by May 1st, become real or imaginary, but an aggravation and complica- strongly infested with Secessionists; and it tion of existing difficulties.

was not long before Kentucky became aware " Fifth. That the memories of the past, the inte that portions of her soil really were in posrests of the present, and the solemn convictions of future duty, and usefulness in the hope of mediation, Colonel Prentiss, in command of the Federal

session of emissaries of the Confederacy. prevent Kentucky from taking part with the seceding States against the General Government.

forces at Cairo, had what was considered reSixth. That the present duty of Kentucky is to liable information of the landing at Colummaintain her present independent position, taking bus, Kentucky — only twenty miles below sides not with the Administration, nor with the sece

Cairo--of seventeen thousand stand of arms, ding States, but with the Union against them both, and of seven pieces of artillery at Paducah, declaring her soil to be sacred from the hostile tread on the 30th of April. Major-General Buckof either, and, if necessary, to make the declaration ner of the Kentucky State Militia, in compagood with her strong right arm.'

ny with State Senator Johnson, had an interSeventh. That, to the end Kentucky may be pre- view with Colonel Prentiss, April 29th, to pared for any contingency, 'we would have her arm

give the Federal commander assurances of herself thoroughly at the earliest practicable mo

Kentucky's strict neu rality, and to guarantee ment,' by regular legal action.

“ Eighth. That we look to the young men of the that no Confederate troops should cross her Kentucky State Guard as the bulwarks of the safety soil to invade the Norli ; nor would the Kenof our Commonwealth, and that we conjure them to tucky authorities countenance any organizaremember that they are pledged equally to fidelity tions in the State inimical to the Federal to the United States and Kentucky.

Government. In return, General Buckner

Colonel Prentiss.