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have been quartered in houses without the consent of the owners thereof, and without any authority of law. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, has been habitually and grossly violated by his officers, acting under his orders. | He has utterly ignored the binding force of our constitutional State laws, and carried his insolence to such an extent as to introduce, from other States, free negroes into our midst, and place them in positions of authority over our white citizens.

Declaration, it was hoped that the rights therein asserted would not be denied to her people.

Her authorities also relied on the clause in the very Constitution with which she was admitted into the Union, asserting as one of the general, great, and essential principles of liberty and free government, "that the people of this State have the inherent, sole, and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police thereof, and of altering and abolishing their Constitution and form of Government whenever it may be necessary to their safety and happiness." But this military commander haughtily refused the consent of his Government to the exercise by us of these rights, which our ancestors in the last century endured an eight years' war to vindicate. He but expressed, however, the deliberate purpose of his masters at Washington and the people over which they rule; for his predecessor at St. Louis had, a few weeks before, formally proclaimed to our people that our equality with the other States would be ignored; that we should be held in subjection to the North, even

He has encouraged the stealing of our slave property. In these and other proceedings the Government and people of the Northern States have unmistakably shown their intention to overturn the social institutions of Missouri, and reduce her white citizens to an equality with the blacks. In the execution of his despotic wishes his agents, without even rebuke from him, have exhibited a brutality scarcely credible of a nation pretending to civilization. Even women and children of tender age have fallen victims to the unbridled license of his unfeeling soldiery. He has avowedly under-though the independence of our Southern sister taken to make the civil power subordinate to the military; and with the despicable and cowardly design of thus protecting himself and his accomplices, by binding the consciences of the unhappy victims of his tyranny, he has exacted from peaceful citizens, guilty of no crime, an oath to support his detestable government. To crush out even peaceful and lawful opposition to it, he has forcibly and unconstitutionally suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, and abridged the freedom of speech and of the press by subjecting innocent citizens to punishment for mere opinion's sake, and by preventing the publication of newspapers independent enough to expose his treason to liberty.

These manifold and inhuman wrongs were long submitted to in patience, and almost in humility, by the people of Missouri and their authorities. Even when the conduct of the Lincoln Government had culminated in an open war upon us, those authorities offered to its military commander in Missouri to refer to the people of the State for decision of the question of our separation from a government and nation thus openly hostile to us. Those authorities relied on the principles consecrated in the Declaration of Independence of the United States, that, to secure the rights of citizens, "governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness." Missouri having an admitted equality with the original States which had made this

States might be acknowledged; that, to use his own words, "whatever may be the termination of the unfortunate condition of things in respect to the so-called cotton States, Missouri must share the destiny of the Union; that the free will of her people shall not decide her future, but that "the whole power of the Government of the United States, if necessary, will be exerted to maintain Missouri in the Union," in subjection to the tyranny of the North.

The acts of President Lincoln have been endorsed by the Congress and people of the Northern States, and the war thus commenced by him has been made the act of the Government and nation over which he rules. They have not only adopted this war, but they have gone to the extreme of inciting portions of our people to revolt against the State authorities; by intimidation they have obtained control of the remnant left of a Convention deriving its powers from those authorities, and using it as a tool, they have through it set up an insurrectionary government in open rebellion against the State. No alternative is left us; we must draw the sword and defend our sacred rights.

By the recognized universal public law of all the earth, war dissolves all political compacts. Our forefathers gave as one of their grounds for asserting their independence, that the King of Great Britain had "abdicated government here by declaring us out of his protection, and waging war upon us." The people and Government of the Northern States of the late Union have acted in the same manner toward Missouri, and have dissolved, by war, the connection heretofore existing between her and them.

The General Assembly of Missouri, the recognized political department of her govern

ment, by an act approved May 10, 1861, enti- | tled, "An act to authorize the Governor of the State of Missouri to suppress rebellion and repel invasion," has vested in the Governor, in respect to the rebellion and invasion now carried on in Missouri by the Government and people of the Northern States and their allies, the authority "to take such measures as in his judgment he may deem necessary or proper to repel such invasion or put down such rebellion."

Now, therefore, by virtue of the authority in me vested by said act, I, Claiborne F. Jack son, Governor of the State of Missouri, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of my intentions, and firmly believing that I am herein carrying into effect the will of the people of Missouri, do hereby, in their name, by their authority, and on their behalf, and subject at all times to their free and unbiased control, make and publish this provisional declaration, that by the acts, and people, and Government of the United States of America, the political connection heretofore existing between said States and the people and government of Missouri is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that the State of Missouri, as a sovereign, free, and independent republic, has full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent States may of right do.

Published and declared at New Madrid, Missouri, this fifth day of August, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and sixty-one. CLAIBORNE F. JACKSON,

Doc. 164.

Governor of Missouri.

the same county. They will all be taken before General Banks this afternoon, and held. The horses are of the finest Virginia stock, and are considered quite a prize. The prisoners will all be well treated, and profess to be good Union men. This is reliable, and will relieve the dulness of the war news for the last few days.-X. -Baltimore American, August 6.

The following is a copy of the report of Colonel John C. Starkweather, of the First regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, relative to the operations which preceded the affair opposite Point of Rocks to-day, August 5:

HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST REGIMENT W. V.
CAMP STARKWEATHER, August 3, 1861.

Major Robert Williams, A. A. G., Harper's
Ferry:

DEAR SIR: In compliance with my orders Messrs. Clark, Stone, Bennett, and Allen, of Companies E and F, Wisconsin Volunteers, crossed the Potomac, at Edwards' Ferry, with a skiff, on the 1st instant, at about four o'clock, and concealed themselves until morning, in order to examine fully the ford and other surroundings. Having secured the information that the enemy's pickets remained there in force only during the night, and upon making the examination necessary, they were fired into by a large body of the enemy, whose fire they returned, retreating slowly to their boat, and recrossing the stream without any casualty on our side. The firing was so close to the ferry house that the same was by some chance set on fire, and, with the barn immediately adjoining, burned to the ground. The same had been used for a long time as a place of observation and security by the enemy, and from which their skirmish firing was generally conducted. On the following morning, at about eleven

SKIRMISH NEAR POINT OF ROCKS, MD. o'clock, the enemy's pickets having been re

BERLIN, Md., August 5, 1861. MESSRS. EDITORS: You will please announce in your morning paper that a sharp skirmish took place this morning opposite the Point of Rocks, in Virginia. A detachment of sixty men of the Twenty-eighth regiment of New York Volunteers, stationed at our place, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, crossed the river at this place last night and marched through the county, and came on a party of cavalry of Captain Mead's company, of the Confederate army, opposite the Point of Rocks.

ported gone, W. H. Langworthy and J. J. Smith, of Company E, Wisconsin regiment of Volunteers, and Wm. Moore, of Company C, Wisconsin Volunteers, again crossed, in order to complete the examinations, and when about concluded, they were surrounded and attacked by twelve of the enemy's troops, in a most daring and impetuous manner. My own, however, fell back behind the trees, after first clearing their way, where they remained skirmishing with the enemy for some time, and finally by a preconcerted signal they made a charge upon the enemy, routing them completely, killing three and wounding one. They The Colonel, with his party, came on them then retreated to their boat, and recrossed, about sunrise, and ordered them to halt, which being protected by our troops, who had adwas not obeyed, and they fired on them and vanced to the water's edge on this side for such killed three, wounded two, and took twenty purpose. W. H. Langworthy was wounded by horses, with their equipments, and seven pris- a musket ball passing through his side. He is, oners. They brought them into camp this however, around to-day the same as usual.. No morning about ten o'clock, without getting a other casualties. They are entitled to great man hurt. Among the killed is George Orri- praise for their daring and courage in making son, of Loudon County. Among the prisoners these reconnoissances, and for the good genare a son of Mrs. Dawson, one Mr. Drane, oferalship displayed in attacking and routing an

enemy so superior in numbers. It is one of those Spartan feats that I trust the department will take notice of.

I am, with respect, yours to command,

JOHN C. STARKWEATHER, Colonel First Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers.

Doo. 165.

THE ESCAPE OF THE SUMTER.

UNITED STATES STEAM-SLOOP BROOKLYN,
OFF MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER,
Wednesday, July 10, 1861.

SUNDAY last, the 7th inst., as the following will vividly show, was a day pregnant with misfortune for us. It was then the pirate Sumter escaped us, and that, too, by our own injudicious management. Now, as there is the greatest probability that this steamer, manned, as she is, by a band of cutthroats, will capture, rob, and sink, or burn some of our merchant vessels, laden with valuable cargoes, I imagine it will be nothing more than fair if the manner of her escape is put upon record in your journal; so here goes: At daybreak on the morning | of Sunday, the lookout discovered a vessel in the offing, acting very suspiciously, and leading us to believe that she would run the blockade if an opportunity was given her. We duly got under way and went in pursuit of her. She kept standing off, and led us a merry chase of some fifteen miles from our anchorage; but finally overhauling her, we found her to be an English bark in ballast from some port in Spain, and bound for New Orleans. We warned her not to attempt to enter.

During this chase it was reported to our Captain that, taking advantage of our absence from Pass l'Outre, a steamer was making its way down the river with terrific speed. Instead of continuing to follow the confounded old bark, upon the reception of such important intelligence, we should have ignored her presence, and, instantly putting about, hastened back to the river with all possible speed, for it had been universally known for a long time that the secession man-of-war steamer Sumter was lying at the head of the Pass, awaiting an opportunity to pass us and escape, that she might be at large upon the high seas, to plunder and murder indiscriminately. But no! our Captain did not seem to discern the necessity of such an action, but kept our vessel steaming on until, overtaking the bark, he simply ordered her off, as stated above. 'Tis true in doing this we were performing our duty to the very let ter; but it was of minor importance when compared to the interception of a vessel notoriously a pirate.

When we returned, it was reported to us that the Sumter had already succeeded in crossing the bar, and at this moment our Captain, as if awakening from sleep, ordered us to carry all the steam possible and crowd on all sail, and start in pursuit of the fugitive. This order had hardly been carried into effect when a terrible

squall came up, and it continued with such severity for a while we could not see the length of our ship ahead of us. For fear of grounding we lessened our speed, and eventually stopped altogether, remaining so until the squall had passed. Much to our chagrin we then saw the Sumter a very great distance ahead of us, and going through the water like a witch; we continued the chase, but she slowly increased the distance between us, it being a dead calm after the squall, and we could not use our sails. Had our vessel been in as good a condition as she was at the commencement of this cruise, instead of the miserable state she is now in, we could have caught her easily under steam alone. Still we kept on, and at four P. M. we were gladdened by the wind coming around fair, and freshening every moment.

We made all sail, until the masts cracked and groaned under their burden, and we were rewarded by the fact that we were rapidly gaining upon the Sumter, which caused us to feel elated, as we argued it would be a "nice job" if we could succeed in trapping the pirate. Suddenly, at this juncture of affairs and the very turning point in our favor, Captain Poor ordered the ship to put about, to abandon the chase, and return to our anchorage. Amazement was depicted upon the countenance of every man on board, and as a matter of course the greatest and most bitter indignation prevailed because of this action. It was so uncalled for, so inexplicable, that wonder and scorn were the predominant feelings manifested. Again, it was the opinion of every man on board our ship that it was our imperative duty to follow this pirate to the lower regions, if necessary for her capture, and let the blockade go, for the damage this one piratical vessel will do to our commerce, if let alone, will be incalculable.

The Sumter, it is reported, carries nine guns of large calibre, some two hundred men, and is very fast. She is the propeller Habana, her name afterwards changed to Alfonzo, built in 1857 by Messrs. C. H. & W. M. Crump, of Philadelphia. Her dimensions are as follows: Length, on deck, one hundred and eighty feet; breadth of beam, thirty feet; depth of hold, ten feet; draught of water, nine feet six inches; five hundred tons burthen. Thus it will be observed that with the large crew and heavy guns she is reported to have, she will prove a most formidable privateer.

Our very discreet Captain (that is, he thinks himself such, but a great many others do not) disregarded all advice from his officers, and, intrenching himself behind his official position, would not venture an explanation or an excuse for his action, but deliberately returns to the blockade, and lets the pirate run, to destroy millions of dollars' worth of property; whereas the raising of the blockade for a few days would have amounted, comparatively, to nothing. And further, it was only after the repeated requests and urgings of all the officers that Capt.

Poor concluded to send notice to the flag-officer of the squadron at Pensacola, informing him of the escape of the Sumter. I repeat it, that had it not been for the repeated urgings of our officers, we would have gone back to our old anchorage, from which place there is no manner nor chance of communication with Pensacola.

However, after the representation of the officers in question, a boat was sent up to the gunboat Massachusetts, despatching her to the flag-officer with the information of the Sumter's escape. We learned subsequently that the Niagara had gone in pursuit of her; we hope soon to overhaul her; yet, in the mean time, I repeat, she may capture millions of dollars' worth of property, sink and burn at pleasure, and all this must be suffered, owing to Capt. Poor's very poor judgment in the matter. -Baltimore American, August 5.

Doc. 166.

BATTLE AT ATHENS, MO.

FOUGHT AUGUST 5, 1861.

A CORRESPONDENT of the Chicago Tribune in a letter from Warsaw, Ill., gives the following details of this skirmish:

WARSAW, ILL., Aug. 9, 1861. The telegraph has informed you of the battle at Athens, Mo., on the 5th inst., and I now propose to detail the events which preceded and accompanied it.

In the mean time, the secessionists had formed a camp, under Martin Green, a brother of the ex-Senator, at Monticello, the county seat of Lewis County, which is about thirty miles south of Cahokia. A few days after the Union camp was formed, word came that Green was marching on it with a force of 800 men. The Unionists immediately sent to Keokuk and Warsaw for assistance. Keokuk did not respond, but the Warsaw Greys, Capt. Coster, fifty in number, went over to the Union camp, intending only to act on the defensive, but when there, as no enemy appeared, Col. Moore determined to rout out the various bands of secessionists which were prowling about the country. Accordingly, for three days he kept his men on the trot, completely worrying them out; but in no instance could they compel the enemy to make a stand. The only work performed was the arresting of numerous secessionists, who were liberated on taking the oath. Moore, with his command, then retreated to Athens, a small town on the Des Moines River, about twenty-eight miles from its mouth. Here the Greys left and returned home. This was about two weeks ago. Soon after retiring to Athens, the secessionists proposed a peace conference, and many Unionists went into council with them to bring about a restoration of order; but the more wary said the object of the rebels was only to get them to disperse and then they would disarm them. The effect, however, of this proposition, was to very much weaken the Union camp, and Col. Moore soon For the past three or four weeks the north-found his force reduced to less than three huneast corner of Missouri has been in a state of dred men. anarchy. There has been no security for life and property, and no effort made to enforce the laws and to restore order. This state of things originated from the attempts of secessionists to drive Union men out of the country. To effect this, they did not use actual force; but they collected in squads, visited the houses of Unionists-mostly in the absence of the men-insulted and abused the women, and threatened that unless the family left the men would be shot or hung. Union men and their families were thus kept in a state of constant dread and apprehension, which in many instances became unendurable, and the consequence has been that many Union men have abandoned every thing and left the State. The Unionists formed Home Guards, but these were powerless to protect from assassination; and besides, the members being scattered, in many instances miles apart, were useless in a sudden emergency. Finally, the rebels becoming more bold and threatening, the Unionists resolved to go into camp. This they did, to the number of about six hundred, at a town called Cahokia, eighteen miles from the Mississippi, in Clarke County. Their commander is a rough, not over bright, but withal, a well-meaning and brave old soldier, who has seen service in Mexico. Soon after going into camp, they received from St. Louis 240 stand of arms.

VOL. II.-Doc. 36

In the mean time, Green had been making large additions to his numbers from all the adjoining counties, and ten days ago he had under his command from 1,200 to 1,500 men. He visited Scotland and Knox Counties-running out Unionists, insulting and abusing their families, and committing all sorts of depredations upon their property. On Saturday last it became evident that he was approaching the Union camp at Athens, with a view of attacking it. The Unionists sent to Keokuk for help. On Sunday about seventy of the Keokuk military went up to Croton, (a small town on the Iowa side of the Des Moines, immediately opposite to Athens,) but would not pass over the river. Moore, however, received some reinforcements on Sunday, so that at the time of the attack he had nearly 400 men. Moore's camp was in the town, which is situated at the foot of and on the side of a high bluff. The main business street is on the river, and the second street runs parallel with the river, on a beach, a short distance up the hill. Moore stationed his main force in this second street, his right and left wings extending back to the river. Here there was this little band, attacked on the entire front and both flanks, by a force of 1,200 or 1,500 men, with no mode of retreat but by fording a river 300 yards wide. They were without artillery, while the rebels had

three pieces-one an eight-pounder, which was placed on the brow of the hill, to rake the principal street entering the town, the other two pieces were imitation cannon, made out of the cylinders of old steam engines.

The attack commenced between five and six o'clock in the morning. In the very beginning of the action Lieut.-Col. Callahan, who commanded a company of cavalry, retired with his company across the river, and it is said that this gallant officer, who claims to be a graduate of West Point, never stopped until he reached Montrose on the Mississippi River. Through the country over which he and a few of his comrades passed, they spread the report that the Unionists were cut all to pieces, and the secessionists were advancing into Iowa. The consequence was that the wildest panic seized the people-some flew to arms and some to the bush.

A portion of Moore's infantry were also seized with the panic, and fled across the river, but seeing their companions standing firm, many of them afterward returned and took part in the fight. The portion of Moore's men which remained amounted to only about 300, yet they stood firm as regulars, and delivered their fire with the coolness of veterans.

After all sorts of a fight, regular and irregular, which lasted for an hour and a half, Col. Moore led his centre to a charge, which was executed in fine style, upon which the rebels broke and ran for life. Most of the enemy had horses, but they dismounted and fought on foot. The result of the battle was ten Unionists killed and ten wounded, two of these mortally, who have since died. The rebels left nine dead and four wounded on the field, and they have since admitted that they carried away 14 dead and 40 wounded. The "Gate City" of this morning states that it has been definitely ascertained that the rebel loss was 43 killed; but it is hardly credible that there was such havoc in such a battle. The Unionists also captured about 40 horses, five wagon loads of supplies, the mock cannon, and a quantity of arms.

flight the combined secession forces of half a dozen counties, and, for the present, at least, hold the complete ascendency. C.

Doc. 167.

BOMBARDMENT OF GALVESTON,
TEXAS.

GALVESTON papers of Tuesday, 6th of August, mention two attempts on the part of the blockading fleet on that station to shell the city

the first by the schooner Dart, on Saturday, 2d, doing no damage; the second by the steamer South Carolina, on Monday, 5th, which resulted in the killing of one man, the wounding of two or three slightly, and the damaging of several dwellings.

After particularizing the manœuvre of the vessels, and their getting in position, and the position and manning of the Confederate batteries, and the eagerness of those in charge for the fight to commence, the News says:

The Dart came sailing down in front of the batteries, doubtless to draw their fire, but this was of no avail. The steamer had now come almost to a stand-still. She was within range, and seemed to dare attack. She had not long to wait. Col. Moore sighted No. 1 at her, and in a moment after the white smoke rose above the breast works, and the thundering report that shook the earth and filled the air, announced that the contest had begun.

All eyes now turned to the steamer. In a minute a puff of white smoke issued from her prow, as she still continued to move slowly on; the heavy report rang out, and then the sharp hum of a shell was distinctly heard.

Again, again, and again, this slow interchange of shots took place, the intervals pretty regular between each. Our first shots were delivered steadily, and evidently with care; they were in line, and went nearer the propeller each time, and one struck so near her, amidships, that from various parts of the city, far distant from each other, as we have since learned, the remark was simultaneous: "That hit her!"

Col. Moore pursued the fugitives for three miles; he then returned to his camp, but the next day, being reinforced, he started in pur- Capt. Alden now began, however-much to suit. The Unionists flocked to his standard, our mingled astonishment and indignation-to while the rebels, being discouraged, were dis- fire shells over the city. He had endeavored banding. When last heard from, Moore was into enfilade the guns in the batteries, but his Scotland County sweeping all before him.

A portion of the Keokuk military performed good service during the fight, by forming on the Iowa side and pouring a galling fire into the flank of the enemy's right wing, across the river, with their Minié rifles.

At the time this action was fought there were two regiments of United States Iowa Volunteers in Keokuk, twenty-five miles from the scene of action. A portion of these were despatched to the aid of the Unionists, but the battle had been fought and won before their arrival. Thus have the Union Guards of Clark and Scotland Counties, alınost unaided, put to

gunners failed to hit either the sand bags or the men around and near them. He doubtless then bethought him that, as he had succeeded so well in opening ladies' letters, he would be as triumphant in frightening or injuring some of our women and children. May his name be infamous for the dastardly deed.

Several large shells exploded high in the air, the pieces flying in all directions, far and near. One piece traversed the roof of Mr. Tankersley's house, one square in the rear of Mr. Brown's and Gen. Nichols' residence, on Broadway. It went through the pantry, next to the kitchen, and through the outer plank

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