Gov. Magoffin to Gov. Harris.
I have just returned from the neighborhood of the military encampment to which you have been pleased to call my attention in your letter to me of the 4th inst., and am truly gratified to inform you that the organization is disapproved of by a large majority of the Union men with whom I have conversed, some of them being the most prominent citizens of our State. The persons engaged in it have given the most solemn assurances they do not intend an invasion of Tennessee, or any hostile purposes in that direction, but have organized solely for the purpose of protecting the State from invasion. Many of them believe, or affect to believe, there is great danger of an invasion from Tennessee. I have taken steps to prevent the organization of these troops, or their encampment upon our soil, with strong hopes of success; and your Excellency may rest assured I will do everything in my power to have respected the neutrality of Kentucky as set forth in my proclamation. In a few days I hope to be able to inform your Excellency of the disbanding of the organizations to which you have been pleased to call my attention. I am satisfied a large majority even of the Union men in Kentucky are opposed to any such organization here by the Federal Government, of the transportation of arms, men, or munitions over our soil to the State of Tennessee. Many of them are in good faith co- operating with me to prevent it, and most earnestly desire to maintain our position of neutrality during this wicked war.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Yours, &c.,B. Magoffin.
Yours, &c.,B. Magoffin.
