APPENDIX

Barnum's Hotel,

Baltimore, Oct. 27, 1857.

Hon. Thomas Swann.

Mayor of Baltimore.

Sir:—Representations from a large number of respectable
citizens, of the condition of things in this city, added to my own
convictions of my constitutional duty, imposed upon me the ob-
ligation respectfully to consult you, as the Mayor of the city, as
to what provision should be made by you to guarantee personal
security, and the free exercise of suffrage by the legal voters at
the approaching election.

The events of October, 1856, both at the municipal and Pre-
sidential elections, and the violence at the recent municipal elec-
tion, which practically disfranchised many thousands of the
qualified native and naturalized voters of this city, conclusively
established the inadequacy of the existing city police to secure
the elective rights, and the personal safety of the voters. The
citizen has a right to good government. He surrenders his in-
dividual power of defence and pays his property dues in consid-
eration of the pledge made that he shall enjoy it; and I am reso-
lute in the determination to exert any constitutional power to ful-
fill the guarantee.

Subordinately you are like myself sworn in your sphere to put
forth your powers in this behalf, and 1 have come to this city to
confer with you, and ascertain what provisions of an extraordi-
nary character you propose to make to meet apprehended disor-
ders of a character like those which have heretofore successfully
defied the ordinary police force of the city. I shall be most
happy if you can assure me of any detailed preparation on your
part which will allay my solicitude, and certify me that the citi-
zens may not have the occasion to reproach us as derelict in
duty.

It will never do for a great commercial metropolis like this to
be dishonored by this unchecked violence of mobs, and it is ne-
cessary that the civil power should at once bring under subjection
those evil minded citizens whose acts are tarnishing the honor of
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