Mr. TRUMBULL. I hope the Senfrom Nevada will allow me to am to astatement. that will take but a moment before he begins. I ask leave to withdraw from the files a petition which I presented to the Senate some ten days ago, perhaps, from citizens of Augusta county, in the State of Virginia, which was referred to the ComMilAffrs. It was a petition stating that Union men in that locality were without protection from the local authorities, and asking that the military power he not withdrawn. Some days after that petition was presented to the Senate, the Senfrom Delaware, not now in his seat, [Mr. Sauss nenY] and I am sorry he is not plied to me for here apa copy of the petition. t purported to be signe by 106 Union citizens of Augusta county, Virginia, and attached to it were affidavits that the parties signing it were bona yids citizens of that county. At the time the Senfrom Delaware applied to me for a copy of it. I in formed him that it had been referred to the ComMilAffrs. I think the very day after I was aplied to for this copy, I received a letter from t, e gentleman who sent me the petition, stating that its presentation in the Senate had led to inquiries by persons at Staunton, which is in that county, and that threats had been made against any persons therewho had signed such a petition and sent it to the Congress of the U.S., and that they were determined to find out who the petitioners were, and he presumed that steps were being taken to get a copy of the ctition with a view of persecuting tie men who had sent it here. The letter requested me to interfere for their protection if 1 could do so, butI knew no way to do it. The matter rested there, until today I received another letter from this same gentleman at Staunton, dated May 20, 1866, in which he says: "The rebels of this place through A. H. 11.Stuart, of Staunton" He had informed me in his former letter that the prosecuting attorney there was also one of the persons who had made threats against these loyal men for sending a petition to Congress “The rebelsof this place through A. H. H. Stuart of Stauntonand Josep Seganns learn, havegotten the names from Washington of the signers of the ctition of the Union citizens of this county praying or troops, &c. which you recently presentedto Cop gress. t was donefor the purpose of iniunng us in over possible mauuena7 ts have proved. The rebels have even intimidated some of the signers, some 6 or 7, until they have actually signed cards in the rebel papers, denying that they signed the petition. I therefore respectfully renest that youwill causeto be forwarded tomeinime iatcly the original petition in order that thosewho procured the names may be relieved of this infamous charge agniustusof for cry. Is it possiblo, sir.tbat we have no rights which in this case are guarantied by the Constitution) becausewe are white. loyal men! I ask leave to withdraw the original petition with a view of sending it to the gentlemen who forwarded it to me that they may protect themselves, as for as this will enab of them to do so, against the accusations which have been brought upon them; and I regret it is not. in my power to propose some measure that shall protect them from the ignomiuy and persecution that is brought upon them for no cause save their loyalty to the country and the c.Ver cise of a constitutional right belonging to the humblest citizen in the land of petitioning congress for a redress of grievances. A copy of the etition can be left with the committee, which I suppose will answer every purpose. I ask leave to withdraw the original petition, leaving a copy with the committee.