Page:Report of Senate Select Committee on the Invasion of Harper's Ferry.pdf/1

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 * SENATE.
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 * 1st Session.
 * No. 278.
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 * 1st Session.
 * No. 278.
 * }
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On the 14th of December, 1859, the resolutions annexed were adopted by the Senate of the United States:

"Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the facts attending the late invasion and seizure of the armory and arsenal of the United States at Harper's Ferry, in Virginia, by a band of armed men, and report—

"Whether the same was attended by armed resistance to the authorities and public force of the United States, and by the murder of any of the citizens of Virginia, or of any troops sent there to protect the public property;

"Whether such invasion and seizure was made under color of any organization intended to subvert the government of any of the States of the Union; what was the character and extent of such organization; and whether any citizens of the United States not present were implicated therein, or accessory thereto, by contributions of money, arms, munitions, or otherwise;

"What was the character and extent of the military equipment in the hands or under the control of said armed band; and where and how and when the same was obtained and transported to the place so invaded.

"That said committee report whether any and what legislation may, in their opinion, be necessary on the part of the United States for the future preservation of the peace of the country, or for the safety of the public property; and that said committee have power to send for persons and papers."

In conducting this inquiry the committee examined a number of witnesses, who were summoned before them from different states of the Union. Their testimony in full will be found annexed to this report.