2d. The ferocious spirit exhibited by your community towards the United States army, would render me very averse from appearing publicly and unprotected in the City of Baltimore, to defend the interests of the bixly to which 1 belong. A few days since, a soldier of this command, while outside the walls, was attacked by a fiend or fiends in human shape, almost deprived of life, and left unprotected about half a mile from garrison. He was found iu this situation, and brought iu covered with blood. One of your evening prints was quite jocose over the laughable occurrence.

And now, sir, permit me to say in conclusion, that no one can regret more than Ithi.T conflict between the civil and military authorities. If, in an experience of thirty-three ycxirs you have never hefore known the writ of Ilabtas C&rpus t.> be di.sobe^'ed. it is only because such a contingency in political affairs as the prcser.t has not before arisen. I claim to be a loyal citizen ; and I hope my former conduct, bothotricial and private, will justify this pretension. In any couditi'Mi vi affairs except that of civil war, I would cheerfully obey your order ; and as soo^

THE TOWN OF WEST FARMS. 503

aj, ihe present excitement shall pa,=s a^raj I vrill hold mysulf ready not only to J riHiucc tlie soldier, but also to apjiear iu person to aoswer for my own conduct ; lat m the existing state of sentiment iu the city of Baltimore, I think it your duly to sustain the federal military, and to strengthen their hands instead of c:ideavoriiig to strike them dov.n. I have the honor to be very respectfully, Your Obedient Strvant,