“Now, here. I am willing to do this. I’ve sent for the Colonel, over and over, three times, but he don’t come. Now, while I believe that, under the law, I have no right to give up the guns to yo’ but yo’ being the General of Militia, I will give yo’ these guns to keep, if yo’ will take ’em and take my chances.”
“I have no right to take those guns out of your hands,” replied Rives, (too glad that it was so.) “The law does not give me any such right, and I’m not going to demand them. You can do just as you please. I want the thing to be settled, if possible, but I don’t demand the guns.”
“Well,” said Captain Doc, “if yo’ don’t take ’em, I don’t intend to give ’em up to General Baker.”
“You do not say that you intend to fight?”
“No, sir, I don’t say anything of the kind; but I don’t intend to give up the guns to General Baker; but if yo’ will take ’em to relieve the responsibility of blood being shed in town from me, I will give ’em to yo’.”
“No. I have no right to demand them. Yo’ must use your own discretion about it,” replied Rives.
“Well, if that is the way yo’ are going to leave me, I’m not going to give ’em to General Baker.”
Doc then hastily penned the following note and dispatched it:
“Gen. Baker:—These guns are placed in my hands, and I am responsible for them, and have no right to give them up to a private citizen; I cannot surrender them to you.”
Signed.