"In obedience to the thrice-repeated will of the people, as
expressed at the polls, and in their name, I ask you to withdraw
your forces from the soil of Kentucky.
"I will say, in conclusion, that all the people of the State
await, in deep suspense, your action in the premises.
"I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, etc.,
(Signed) "John M. Johnson,
"_Chairman of Committee_."
_Letter from General Polk to the Kentucky Commissioners._
Columbus, Kentucky, _September 9, 1861._
To J. M. Johnson, _Chairman of Committee, Senate of Kentucky._
"Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of this date, conveying to me a copy of a resolution of the
Senate of Kentucky, under which a committee (of which you are
chairman) was raised 'for the purpose of considering the
reported occupation of Hickman and other points in Kentucky by
the Confederate troops, and that they take into consideration
the reported occupation of Paducah and other points in Kentucky
by the Federal authorities, and report thereon'; also, that they
be 'directed to obtain all the facts they can in reference to
the recent occupation of Kentucky soil by the Confederate and
Federal forces, and report, in writing, at as early a day as
practicable.'
"From the terms of the resolution, it appears your office, as
committee-men, was restricted merely to collecting the facts in
reference to the recent occupation of Kentucky soil by the
Confederate and Federal forces, and to report thereon in
writing, at as early a day as possible.
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