legally act, of a combination on the part of any of our citizens to
obstruct the laws at the coming election. But while I am that
frank in foreshadowing my plans for the preservation of the public
peace, and the protection of the voter by every means at my dis-
posal; I must be equally so in declining to recognise any joint
administration of the affairs of this city. The powers of the
Mayor are believed to be ample. He has his resort, in case of
emergency to the civil posse, as well as to the military arm,
which like the former is placed by the law under his control. It
will be his duty to use his best endeavors, to see that, every citizen
is protected in his constitutional rights, and that the peace of the
city is preserved by every means at his disposal. If however, it
should be attempted to introduce a power in the city of Baltimore
above that of its regularly constituted authorities, or if the power
should be assumed in anticipation of a State of things which may
not occur, to bring the military in contact with the people on the
day of election, without an official requisition on the part of the
local authorities, I can only express the sincere belief that such
a policy might seriously endanger the peace of the city, and lead
to consequences which it should be the duty of all good citizens to
endeavor if possible to avert.

With great respect,

I have the honor to be,
Your ob't servant,

THOMAS SWANN, Mayor.

PROCLAMATION.

By the Governor of Maryland:

I, T. Watkins Legon, Governor of the State of Maryland, here-
by make this proclamation the citizens of Baltimore;

Having credibly informed by a large and respectable number
of citizens of Baltimore, that serious apprehensions are entertain-
ed that the approaching general election is threatened with ex-
treme violence and disorder in this city, sufficient to terrify and
keep away from the polls many peaceable voters, unless the civil
arm is vigorously interposed for their protection, and being fully
convinced of the justness of this apprehension from the events of
the election of 1856, and of the recent municipal election
in the city, I have felt it my duty to repair to this city to
fulfill my constitutional obligations to afford to the citizens the
faithful observance of the laws. Accordingly I have addressed
tie Mayor of the city and solicited his co-operation in adequate
measures for the protection of the peace of the city. So far I
have received from him no satisfactory response, and being re-
solved to be involved in no failure of duty by postponing measures

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