Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

So I was again out of the shadow of West Point. There are one or two episodes which enlivened the routine of superintending the transportation of troops to Washington, which may not be uninteresting if made a part of this narrative. Governor Hicks had protested to me against the landing of my troops, and he had also protested to the President, to whom he made the amazing proposition that the national controversy between the North and South be submitted to the arbitration of Lord Lyons, the British Minister. Finding all his protests unavailing, and his proposal for arbitration rejected, and preparation being made to forward troops from Annapolis to Washington, he hit upon another equally remarkable obstacle to the defence of the national capital. He issued a proclamation calling upon the Maryland legislature to meet at Annapolis, on Friday, the 26th of April, for the purpose of taking action in that behalf. He then made a protest against my taking possession of the railroad, because it would prevent the members of the legislature from getting to Annapolis. His letter is as follows:--

executive chamber, Annapolis, Friday, April 23, 1861.

Dear Sir:--Having by virtue of the power vested in me by the Constitution of Maryland, summoned the legislature of the State to assemble on Friday, the 26th inst., and Annapolis being the place in which, according to law, it must assemble, and having been creditably informed that you have taken military possession of the Annapolis & Elk Ridge Railroad, I deem it my duty to protest against this step; because, without at present assigning any other reason, I am informed that such occupation of said road will prevent the members of the legislature from reaching this city.

Very respectfully yours,

Thomas H. Hicks.

To this letter I replied as follows:--

headquarters U. S. Militia, Annapolis, Md., April 23, 1861.
to his excellency, Thomas H. Hicks, Governor of Maryland:

You are creditably informed that I have taken possession of the Annapolis & Elk Ridge Railroad. It might have escaped your notice, but at the official meeting which was had between your excellency and the mayor of Annapolis, and the committee of the government, and myself,