KYCLAY-L Archives

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Subject: excerpt from Lewis Collins's "History of Kentucky" (May 1, 1861
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 17:46:08 EDT

1861:
May 1: Gov. Magoffin having asked the governors of Indiana and Ohio to
"cooperate with him in a proposition to the government at Washington for peace, by
the border states, as mediator between the contending parties;" and further --
through Col. Thos. L. CRITTENDEN as his representative, who went to
Cincinnati to meet them -- having "solicited their co-operation in an effort to bring
about a truce between the general government and the seceded states, until the
meeting of congress in extraordinary session, in the hope that the action of
that body may point out the way to a peaceful solution of our national
troubles;" Gov. Wm. DENNISON, of Ohio, replies that, "believing the general government
to be wholly in the right, he can see no reason for the interposition
suggested; any other peaceful solution is impossible, that the return of the seceded
states to their allegiance to the government of the Union; a truce would only
aggravate the impending evils." Gov. O. P. MORTON, of Indiana, replies that he
does "not recognize the right of any state to act as mediator between the
federal government and a rebellious state; he declines the co-operation sought
for, believing the action of the federal government strictly in accordance with
the constitution and the law of the land; he believes Kentucky bound to obey
the requisitions of the president, and invokes her to take her stand with
Indiana, on the side of the Union."

May 4: -- Special election for delegates to the Border State convention:
"Union" ticket: John J. CRITTENDEN, James GUTHRIE, R.K. WILLIAMS, Archie DIXON,
Francis M. BRISTOW, Joshua F. BELL, Chas. A. WICKLIFFE, George W. DUNLAP, Chas.
S. MOREHEAD, Jas. F. ROBINSON, John B. HUSTON, Robert RICHARDSON -- elected,
without opposition, receiving 107,334 votes in 105 counties. No returns from
five counties: Ballard, Hickman, Marshall, Simpson, and Woodford.

May 6:
Gov. MAGOFFIN's message "renews the recommendation of a previous message, for
the passage of a law providing for the submission to the people of the
question of a convention, and the election of delegates;" says "the very homes and
firesides of our people are unprotected against invasion from without or
servile insurrection within;" the people appeal for arms; he recommends the
necessary measures to place the commonwealth in a condition of military defense.

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