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To ihe People of Maryland: 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ARMY N. VA . / 
 Neab Frederick Town. 8th September, 1^"2. s 
 
 my command within thi- 
 
 ll is right that you should kuow the purpose thai has brought the Armyundei 
 limits of your State, so far as thai purpose concerns yourselves. 
 
 Tin' People of the Confederate States have long watched with the deepest sympathy the wrongs ami mu- 
 rages that have been inflicted upon the citizens of a Commonwealth, allied to the States of the South by the 
 strongesl Bocial, political and commercial ties. 
 
 They have seen with profound indignation tbeir sister State deprived of every right, and reduced to the 
 condition of a conquered Province, 
 
 Under the pretence of supporting the C institution, but in violation of its mosl valuable provisions, your 
 citizens have been arrested and imprisoned upon no charge, aud co [1 forms of law; the faithful 
 
 I manly pi tgainsl this outrage made b) the ronerablc and" illustrious Marylan I ir to whom in bet- 
 
 ter days, no citizen appealed for right in vain, was treated with scorn and opt; the government 
 
 . chief City has been usurped by armed Btraugers; your Legislature has been di by the unlawful 
 
 aires* of its members; freedom of the press aud of speech has been sup . words I en declared 
 
 offences by an arbitrary decree of the Federal Executive, and citizens ordcre 1 to be I rie 1 by a military com- 
 mission for wliat they may dare to speak. 
 
 Believing that the People of Marylan'd possessed a spirit too lofty to submit to such a government, ihe 
 people lit.' the Smith have long wished to and you in throwing oil' this foreign voice, to enable you again to 
 enjoy the inalienable rights of freemen, an 1 restore independence ami sovereignty t i your State. 
 
 In obedience to this wish, our Army has come among you, and is prepared to assisl yon with the power 
 of Hs arms in regaining the rights of which you have been despoiled. 
 
 This, Citizens of Maryland, is our mission, so far as you are concerned. 
 
 v> constraint upon your free will is intended, no intimidation will be allowed. 
 
 Within the limits of this Army at least, Mary landers shall oner more enjoy their ancient freedom of 
 ech. 
 
 Wc know ii ' enemies among you. an 1 will protect all of every opinion. 
 
 !t is for you to decide your destiny, freely and without constraint. 
 
 Thi- ill res] t your choice whatever it may 1 be, and while the Southern people will rejoice to 
 
 ! ■ you to your natural position among them, (hey will only welcome yon when you come of ] our own 
 freewill. R. Y.. LEE, General Commanding. 
 
 
peotmlife* 
 
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