rns yourselves.

The people of the Confederate States have long watched with the
deepest sympathy the wrongs and outrages that have been inflicted
upon the citizens of a Commonwealth allied to the States of the
South by the strongest social, political, and commercial ties.

They have seen, with profound indignation, their sister State
deprived of every right, and reduced to the condition of a
conquered province. Under the pretence of supporting the
Constitution, but in violation of its most valuable provisions,
your citizens have been arrested and imprisoned upon no charge,
and contrary to all forms of law. The faithful and manly protest
against this outrage, made by the venerable and illustrious
Marylanders--to whom in better days no citizen appealed for right
in vain--was treated with scorn and contempt. The government
of your chief city has been usurped by armed strangers; your
Legislature has been dissolved by the unlawful arrest of its
members; freedom of the press and of speech have been suppressed;
words have been declared offences by an arbitrary desire of the
Federal Executive, and citizens ordered to be tried by military
commission for what they may dare to speak.

Believing that the people of Maryland possessed a spirit too lofty
to submit to such a government, the people of the South have long
wished to aid you in throwing off this foreign yoke, to enable
you again to enjoy the inalienable rights of freemen, and restore
independence and sovereignty to your State.

In obedience to this wish, our army has come among you, and is
prepared to assist you, with the power of its arms, in regaining
the rights of which you have been despoiled. This, citizens
of Maryland, is our mission, so far as you are concerned. No
constraint upon your free will is intended--no intimidation will
be allowed. Within the limits of this army, at least, Marylanders
shall once more enjoy their ancient freedom of thought and speech.
We know no enemies among you, and will protect all of every
opinion. It is for you to decide your destiny, freely, and without
constraint. This army will respect your choice, whatever it may
be; and, while the Southern people will rejoice to welcome you to
your natural position among them, they will only welcome you when
you come of your own free will.

R