The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-10-25

The following important circular has just
been sent to Gov. Morgan, OF New York,
and similar ones to the Governors of all the
States on the seaboard and the lakes
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.l
WASHINGTON, Oct IA, 1861.
To bis Excelency the Governor of the
State of New York :--SIR-The present
instruction had not revealed itself in arms,
when disloyal citizens FASTENED to foreign
countries 70 invoke their Intervention for
the overthrow of the Government and the
destruction of the Federal Union.
These agents are known to have made
their appeals to some of the more impor.
tant States without success.
1t is not likely, however, that they will
remain content with such refusals. Indeed
it is understood that they are industriously
endeavorlDg to accomplish their disloyal
purposes by degrees and by indirection.
Taking advantage of the embarrassments of
agriculture, manufacture and commerce in
foreign countries, resulting from the insur--
rectiOn they have lnaugurated at home, they
seek to involve our common country in
controversy with States with which every
public interest and every interest Of man
kind, require that it should remain in rela-
lions of peace, amity and friendship.
am able to state for your satisfaction,
that the prospect of any such disturbance is
now less serious than it has been at ony
previous period during the course'of the in
surrection. 1t is, nevertheless necessary
now, as it has hitherto been, to take every
precautiOn that is possible to avoid the
evils OF foreign war, to be superiDducel
upon those OF civil commotion which We
are endeayOrlng to cure.
One OF the most obvious Of such precau-
lions is. that our ports and harbors on the
seas aud lakes should be put in condition
OF complete defence. For any nation may
be said to iuvoluntarily incur danger in
tempestuous seasons when it fails to show
that it has sheltered itself on every side
from which the storm might possibly come.
The measures which the Executive can
adopt in this emergency, are such only as
Congress has sanctioned. and for which it
has provided. The President is putting
forth the most diiigent efforts to execute
these measures, and we have the great sat.
isfactiOn of seeing this efforts, seconded by
the favor, aid and support of loyal, pairs
otto and self sacrificing people, are rapidly
bringing the military and naval forces of
tie United States into the highest state OF
efficiency. But Congress was chiefly alb
sorbed, during its recent extra session. with
those measures, and did not provide as anl-
ply as could be wished for the fort-
tications of our sea and lake coasts.
In previous wars loyal State have sup
piled themselves by independent and sepa-
rate action to support and aid the Federal
Government 10 its arduous responsibility.
The same disposition has been manifested in
degree eminently honorable, by all the
loyal States during the present instruction.
In view of this fact and relying upon the
increase and continuance of the same dis.
position on the part of the loyal States, the
President has directed me to invite your
consideration to the subject of improvement
and perfection of the defences of the State
over which you preside, and to ask you to
submit the subject to the consideration of
the Legislature when it shall have assem-
bed. Such proceedings By the State would
require only temporary use of its means,
and the expenditures ought to be made the
subject of conference with the Federal
Government
Being thus made with the concurrence
of the Government for the general defence,
there is every reason to believe that Con.
gress would sanction what the State should
do, and would provide for its reimburse.
ment. Should these suggestions be accept
ed, the President will direct the proper
agents of the Federal Government to con.
fer with you, and to superinteud, direct and
conduct the prosecution Of the system of
defence of your State.
have the honor to be, sir.
Your obedient servant.
(Sipnpd\ WILLIAM RI SEWARD