Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-10-23

Secretary Stewards Circular. = The
Fertilization of our Sea and Lake
Coast.
The following important circular has
been addressed to the Governors of all the
States on the seaboard and lakes.
DEPARTMENT OF SrArE.
WASHINGTON, Oct. II, 1861
Tohis Ercel2e cy. tie Gorsrnor of The
State g-:
SIR: The present Instruction had NOT
even revealed itself in arms when d;sIoval
citizens hastencd to foreign countries to n.
wake 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 important Stats without suc-
cess 1t is not likely. however. that tbev
will remain content with such refnsaIsS
Indeed, it is understood that they are in
dustriously ~endeavorins to accomplisb
their disloyal purposes by degrees and bv
inGireetion. Taking advantage of the EN-.
barrassments Of agriculture and mannE,c-
tu,e and commerce in foreign countries re-
sultins from the iHsurrection they have in.
augurated at home. they seek to involve
our common country in, controversies with
States with which every public interest and
every interest Of mankind require that n
shall remain in relations Of pcace. amitv
aud friendship. | am able to state, fer
your satisfaction, that the prospect for auv
such disturbance is now less than it has
been at any previous period during the
course of the instruction. 1t is. never
theless, necessary now. as it has hitherto
been, to take every p~recautioa that is pos
sible to avoid the evils Of foreign war. TO
be s~uperiudueed upon those of civil COM
motion, which We are e~ndeavoring to cure.
One of the most obvious of such precar-
tons is that our ports and harbors on the
seas ard lakes should be put in a condition
of complete defense, for any nation may be
said voluntarily to incur danger in tenn
pestuous seasons when it fails to show that
it has sheltered itself on every side from
which the storm might possibly como.
The measures which the Executive can
adopt in this emergency are such only as
Congress has sanctioned, and for which il
has provided.
he President is putting forth the most
dIigent efforts to execute these measures,
and We have the great satisfaction of sec
ing that these efforts are seconded by the
favor. aid and support of a loyal, patriotic
and self sacrificing people, and are rapidly
bringing the military and naval forces Of
the United States into the highest state of
efficiency. But Congress was chiefly alb
soTbed during its recent extra session with
these measures and did not provide as am.
ply as could he wished for the fertilization
Of the sea and lake coasts. In previous
wars the loyal States have applied them
selves by independent and separate a%ctiyi-
to the support end aid of the Federal
Government in its arduous responsibilities.
The same disposition has been main
in a degree eminently honorable by
all the loyal states during the present In
surrection. In view of this fact. and re-
lying upon the increase and continuance of
the same disposition on the part of the 10y
IL States, the President has objected me to
your consideration to the subject of
The Improvement and perfection of the de-
Of the State, over which you preside,
md to ask you to submit the subject to the
consideration of the Legislature. when it
shall have assembled. Such proceedings
5y the State would require only a tempo
AIRY use of its means. The expenditures
Jught to be made the subject of conference
With the Federal Government Being
.hus made with the concurrence of the
Government for general defense, there is
very reason to believe that Congress sould
WHIT the State Should do. and
Yould provide for its rcimbursements
ese suggestions be accepted, the
resident viii direct tie proper agents of
he Federal Government to confer with
lou, and to superintend.. direct and con
.uct the prosecution Of the system of de-l
epse of your State. Il
| have, the honor to be, sir, your ob't
WI. II. SEWARD.