DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, October 3, 1861.
Maj. Gen. JOHN A. Dix, Fort McHenry, Baltimore.
GENERAL: I inclose a letter* of the 28th ultimo and its
accompanients addressed to Mr. Cameron by J. Hopkins Tarr, from Denton, on
the Eastern Shore of Maryland, relative to Judge R. B. Carmichael, of
that quarter. It seems to me that that functionary should be arrested
even in his court if need be and sent to Fort Lafayette. You may
proceed accordingly.
I am, general, your very obedient servant,
WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
HEADQUARTERS, Baltimore, February 10, 1862.
His Excellency AUGUSTUS W. BRADFORD,
Governor of Maryland.
SIR: Hon. R. B. Carmichael has for many months been one of the prime movers of disaffection and disloyalty on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He was the author of a treasonable memorial to the legislature published and circulated under his own signature while holding a place on the bench. His charges to the grand juries in his district have been inflammatory and insulting to the Federal Government. He has caused military officers to be indicted and has charged grand juries that it was their duty to find bills against all persons who had given information on which arrests had been made by order of the Government. Under his instructions Brigadier-General Lockwood-whose conduct has been marked by the most prudent and discreet forbearance in the execution of my orders which have been by many regarded as too lenient-was subjected to the indignity of an indictment. This man is a dishonor to the bench. He is a dishonor to the loyal State of Maryland. I have forborne to take any measures in regard to him by the advice of gentlemen on the Eastern Shore; but I believe the feeling is now nearly unanimous that his disloyal and vindictive conduct has been endured too long. It was proposed months ago to arrest him and send him to Fort Lafayette. Though he deserves it I prefer to have him sent into the Confederate States to be turned over to the insurgents with whom he sympathizes and whose cause he is doing all in his power to promote. He is unworthy of the protection of a Government which he is laboring to subvert and he ought not to enjoy its privileges. I think he should go where he will find congenial associations In this matter I should be glad to know Your Excellency's views.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. DIX,
Major-General
* Not Found
Source: Official Records, Series 2, Volume 2.
Please make a generous non-tax deductible $5.00 donation to support our efforts.