The explanation given was preparation for self-defense in the unprotected neighborhood in Washington in which Mr. Haskin resided, in which much lawlessness prevailed. Many years have passed since this incident, but, taken in connection with the Rebellion which soon followed, and the tragic and dastardly scenes in it, it illustrates the dangers in public life at the time and the unflinching determination of those called to mingle in the discussions introductory to the strife." x Rev. W.

S. Coffey in Scharf, i., 4SS.

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

The startling events which followed the triumph of Lincoln -- the secession of the Southern States, the firing on Sumter, and the presidential proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers to put down the Rebellion-- brought a prompt realization in Westchester County, as everywhere in the North, of the utter change in conditions which had come to pass since the presidential election. It was no longer a question of the supremacy of this party or that, but of the existence of the federal union. Whilst the views of the Democratic press on the merits of the tremendous new issues were conservative, the instinctive feeling of the masses of the people, of every party, was devotion to the constituted government of the nation. Measures might be criticised, " coercion " of the South might be deprecated, and concessions, even very extreme, for averting an armed conflict or composing it after precipitated might be favored by individual opinion; but the prevailing spirit amongst the eight thousand citizens of our county who voted against Mr. Lincoln was one of unquostioning loyalty to the government. The president's proclamation calling for 75,000 militia volunteers was issued on the 15th of April, 1861. The period of service specified was three months. New York's quota was 13,280 men. The legislature immediately passed an act providing not only for furnishing that number from the State HIRAM PAULDING.1 militia to the government, but for the enlistment of 30,000 volunteers more, to serve for two years; these 30,000 to be " in addition to the present military organization of the State, and as a part of the militia thereof," and to be "liable at all on the times' to be turned over to the service of the United States,upon the order of the governor, as a part of the militia of the State, States." United requisition of the president of the It appears that the first military body dispatched from Westchester County was a company organized in Yonkers as the result of a call for a public meeting issued on the Kith of April, the day after the president's proclamation.