Executive Development of No. Carolina.

Raleigh. July 20th. 1870

To the President of the United States:

Sir:

I have declared the counties of Alamance and Caswell in this State, in a state of insurrection. I have power to do this under the constitution of the State, and in pursuance of laws passed by The General Assembly. I have embodied a considerable number of the Militia—have occupied the counties above named and have made a number of important arrests. Four of the persons arrested, have sued out a habeas corpus, and the matter has been argued for several days before Chief Justice Pearson of the Supreme Court. It is expected that the Chief Justice will deliver his opinion on Friday, the 22nd. inst. 

I have no means of knowing with certainty what his decision will be, but I incline to the opinion, that he will substantially sustain me. There are threats of resistance whatever his decision may be. Col. Kirk, who commands at Yanceyville apprehends resistance, and an attempt to rescue the prisoners. He has 350 resolute men, native white loyalists, many of whom are ex-Federal soldiers. But the Ku-Klux largely outnumber them in the counties referred to, and if they should take the field and be joined by others from other Counties, the State troops would certainly be in peril. and at Hillsboro fifty I have in Raleigh, one hundred colored troops, sixty white troops, and at Hillsboro, fifty white troops, and in Gaston County, one company of sixty. My whole available force is not more than six hundred. 

I think it very important, that a Regiment of Federal Troops be at once sent to this State, and that the Federal troops now here, be ordered to come to my aid promptly. The defeat of the State and Federal troops in any conflict at this crisis, would be exceedingly disastrous—It may be, that the crisis will pass and that I may be able to punish the guilty, without encountering resistance. I have deemed it my duty in this emergency to acquaint you with the condition of things, so that you may judge of the expediency of ordering that I be further aided and supported by Federal Troops—

I am satisfied that important disclosures will be made as to the Ku-Klux organization during The progress of the investigation before the Military—It is believed from evidence already in hand, that ex-President Johnson is at the head of the order, and that Gen. Forrest is the Commander for Tennessee and North Carolina—The organization is widespread and numerous, is based on the most deadly hostility to the Reconstruction Acts, and is in all aspects, very unfriendly to the government of the Reconstructed States, and to the U. States. 

I have the honor to be, with great respect—

Your obdient Servant—

                                                                                          W. W. Holden. Governor.