22 The Mississippi Valley in the Ciml War

titude was reduced to that of a bystander. Underthese favourable circumstances Price worked vigor-ously in organizing rebellion, and secretly invitedthe government of Arkansas to send an armedforce to assist him. But his scheme was fathomedby the ever watchful Blair, who sent such reportsto Washington that on the 18th of May Presi-dent Lincoln privately authorized Blair to removeGeneral Harney from the chief command of thedepartment whenever he should deem such a steprequired by the public safety. In pursuance ofthis order Harney was removed on the 80th, andLyon was appointed in his place, with the rank ofbrigadier-general.

This act brought things to a crisis. Jacksonand Price understood that they were now dealingwith men who could not be hoodwinked, but beforetaking extreme measures they sought an interviewwith Lyon and Blair. A safe-conduct was grantedthem, and on the 11th of June the conference washeld at the Planters’ Hotel at St. Louis ; but itcame to nothing. The governor insisted that the_ Home Guards should be disbanded and

The crisis.

all Federal troops sent out of the state.Blair would not listen to this, but insisted that thegovernor should disband his own militia. So theyparted. Jackson and Price returned the samenight to Jefferson City , and next day, throwing off