Governor Matthews' Letter

West Virginia Governor Henry M. Mathews requests United States troops to quell what he called "domestic violence" and to stop the activities of what he deemed "unlawful combinations."

GOVERNOR MATTHEWS' LETTER:

Wheeling, W. Va.,

July 18.

To His Excellency, R.B. Hayes, President of the United States:

Owing to unlawful combinations and domestic violence now existing at Martinsburg and at other points along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, it is impossible with any force at my command to execute the laws of the State. I therefore call upon your Excellency for the assistance of the United States military to protect the law-abiding people of the State against domestic violence, and to maintain the supremacy of the law. The Legislature is not now in session, and could not be assembled in time to take any action in the emergency. A force of from 200 to 300 should be sent without delay to Martinsburg, where my aide, Colonel Delaplaine, will meet and conf[er] with the officers in command.

HENRY M. MATTHEWS, Governor of West Virginia.