July 10, 1861---"The times are pregnant with great events..."

JULY 10, 1861:    

A great comet passes close to the earth. A Virginian writes: “The times are pregnant with great events.”  

President Lincoln attempts to hold the “Border States”, including Maryland and Kentucky, in place within the Union by assuring “neutral” Kentucky that no federal troops would enter the State, but at the same time warning that he feared to “embarrass” himself by making too bold a declaration that such could never take place. 

Mr. Lincoln also corresponded with Maryland’s Charles B. Calvert, who brought to the President’s attention certain grievances. Acknowledging the precariousness of the State’s politics, Mr. Calvert wrote that to strengthen the Union men in Maryland, who were facing great difficulties yet making “untiring efforts” on the Administration’s behalf, the president should intervene when regiments encourage Maryland slaves to run away.