Simon Cameron to Frranciiss H. Peirpoint, June 25, 1861

Hon. FrRANciISs H. PEIRPOINT, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Wheeling:

Sir: In reply to your application of the 21st instant for the aid of the Federal Government to repel from Virginia the lawless invaders now perpetrating every species of outrage upon persons and property throughout a large portion of the State, the President directs me to say that a large additional force will soon be sent to your relief. The full extent of the conspiracy against popular rights which has culminated in the atrocities to which you refer was not known when its first outbreak took place at Charleston. It now appears that it was matured for many years by secret organizations throughout the country, especially in the slave States. By this means, when the President called upon Virginia in April for its quota of troops, then deemed necessary to put it down in the States in which it had shown itself in arms, the call was responded to by an order from the chief confederate in Virginia to his armed followers to seize the navy-yard at Gosport, and the authorities of the State, who had till then shown repugnance to the plot, found themselves stripped of all actual power, and afterwards were manifestly permitted to retain the empty forms of office only because they consented to use them at the bidding of the invaders.

The President, however, never supposed that a brave and free people, . though surprised and unarmed, could long be subjugated by a class of political adventurers always adverse to them, and the fact that they have already rallied, reorganized their government, and checked the march of these invaders demonstrates how justly he appreciated them.

; 5 Ys =” i The failure hitherto of the State authorities, in consequence of the cir- ~ cumstances to which I have adverted, to organize its quota of troops called for by the President, imposed upon him the necessity of providing himself for their organization, and this has been done to some extent; but instructions have now been given to the agent of the Federal Goyernment to proceed hereafter under your directions, and the company and field officers will be commissioned by you.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,