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clare that the recent election was a "mockery" from the intimi-
dation to voters, should be asked by its municipal head to fur-
nish him with "any reliable evidence upon which I can legally
act, of a combination on the part of any of our citizens to ob-
struct the laws at the coming election."

Is there no such thing as a fact ? Does the spirit of party
blind municipal officers to that condition of things which all fair
minded citizens recognize ? Are there not daily and nightly mur-
ders ?                                       

It is to be deeply regretted that we should be at all separated
in the performance of our duties for ensuring to the citizen his
legal rights which violence has thus overawed, and that you de-
cline to "recognize any joint administration of the affairs of this
city," when I tender you the executive co-operation. This fear-
ful responsibility you have taken. I believe that a just minded
community will severely censure this false independency as not
consistent with our relative official positions or consonant with
that spirit of union which should unite all good men against the
bad and lawless. But however this may be, I announce to you
respectfully, that I shall nevertheless see that the laws are "faith-
fully executed," by every constitutional power.

I feel assured that this community and the State will see in
this conduct a spirit of no intrusive interference, but rather that
imperative duty which they have a right to expect

Entertaining none but the most friendly feelings to yourself,
personally, and desiring that successful administration by you of
your civic duties which will redound to the credit of the city and
State, I again renew my solicitation for your cheerful co-operation
with the executive, and hope that on a revision of your opinion,
you will not see any derogatory subordination which will prevent
you, as the municipal head of this city, from uniting in a harmo-
nious effort to assert the supremacy of the laws.
                     Very respectfully,

Your ob't servant,

T. WATKINS LIGON.

Mayor's Office, City Hall,

Baltimore, Oct. 29, 1857.
To His Excellency,

T. Watkins Ligon,

Governor of Maryland.

Sir :—I have had the honor to receive your letter of yester-
day's date, by the hands of your secretary.

I feel no disposition to discuss the relative powers of your office
and mine, or the other points referred to in your letter.