FACSIMILE OF COMMISSION OF GOVERNOR TIFFIN TO MATHEW NIMMO OF CINCINNATI Authorizing him to act as the Governor's agent in the military movement against Aaron Burr. From the original in possession of the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society, Columbus. J 1 the approbation of 1. so yours. I have si 1. to raise one company c e major, one captain, tw ned officers, privatethought sufficient to guard i stores already arrested: an express to Cincinnati, companies as above, each. free wanted there to relieve hed out, and to secure Comwie descending the Ohio, if it e. I be no doubt that these ly under arms, and that empre frustrated, and the ...'s will be i vil leveli ed States iors." "cothe, 15th, 16 resolution ted by hi.. he w、s a' ( Bar's be ace and tranquillity of with all its weight on its Fard Tilin. Senator Smith (whi without notice to hi g all that he co. the foll wing won stward siffin Geremer in the na- and by the authority of the state of Ohio eve have appointed, and constitutiol, and cle these presents constitute and an agent agreably with the provisions of an Know ye that u General & frumbly praped the rioth day of becomber in the year of one Lunched and sex in titlled an Act, & puentes Them and right and his warrant of harsants, and to call out the tion and to all othe to all other of the United States &" with full authoning to Ique the State to enforce their due the provisions of the before recited & ct he power of as matte Things as by the Geverer i Fenty authorized to do, Agent for the Guven said State of this hath caused the great seal of the soil stale to be novecento affixed, done the sand state the 16th day and ist the Edward sign "Whereas, It is the opinion of the General Assembly that in the present interesting crisis it is necessary, that every public officer should be at his post, and that all public functionaries should possess the confidence of their constituents, and "Whereas, It appears that John Smith, Esq., Senator in the Congress of the United States from this State, has not, from certain considerations to us unknown, attended to the duties of that important office, therefore, "Resolved, by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That it be, and is hereby recommended to John Smith, Esq., that he resign his seat in the Senate of the United States, unless he proceed immediately to his post, and that the Governor be, and he is hereby requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the said John Smith, Esq." To read this official narrative with its solemn messages, dignified letters and high-sounding resolution, one is led to believe that the State was in a dire crisis, and that at Marietta and Cincinnati all the "pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war" held sway. As a matter of fact the proceedings at both places approached nearly to farcical. Under command of Major General Buell of Marietta, on December 9th, the boats, stores and possessions in the Muskingum River were forcibly seized. An array of raw and undisciplined militia, composed of hardy young pioneers out more for a frolic than war, stationed themselves with cannon along the Ohio River to wait for the dread forces expected from above. |