A couple opinionated articles from The New-York Times April 26, 1861:
GEORGE LAW only speaks the universal sentiment of the whole community, without reference to party or to class, when he tells President LINCOLN that the Government must clear the path to Washington, or the people will do it for them. There is a perfect unanimity among the people on this subject.
If any man of position, as a military leader, or as a strong, resolute commander, — would offer to lead a force through Baltimore, with or without orders, he could have 50,000 followers, as soon as they could rush to his standard. We believe GEORGE LAW himself could raise, in three days, volunteers enough to clear the track, even if it should leave Baltimore an ash-heap.
This is not a spirit to be ignored or thwarted. It must be represented and directed.
HARTFORD, April 24.
Mr. SAMUEL COLT has, within a few days, published a card declaring himself in favor of the Union, and promising to manufacture revolvers for the Government. As he has been for a long time making them for the rebels, it is time he did something for the United States. The following letter, which he yesterday telegraphed to his agents and commission houses here, shows on what terms he proposes to do it:
Hereafter all arms and cartridges will be invoiced to your house at the list prices, without discount or commission, you to sell for what price you please. Telegraph and write us at once how many arms you want on these terms. SAML. COLT, President.
Mr. COLT has sold hundreds of thousands of his weapons to the South with a large discount. To the friends of the Government he is less liberal. In other words, he sells to the rebels cheaper than to the authorities of the Republic. If he could devise any safe way of more effectually aiding the rebellion, Mr. COLT would probably embrace it.
George Law lost the 1856 Know-Nothing party presidential nomination to President Millard Fillmore.
Samuel Colt “was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame” in 2006.