Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-10-25

important CtrcuInr rom Secys oeWArus
The following important circular has been
sent to the Governors of all the States on
tho seaboard and tho lakes; ua
DEPARrMENr OF SrArE,
Washington, October IA, 1851.
SiR:-The present insurrection had not
even revealed itself in arms when disloyal
citizens hastened to foreign countries to in
woke their Intervention for the overthrow
Of the Government and the destruction OF
the National Union. These agents are
known to have made their appeals to some
of the more important States without sue
sess. Itis not likely, however, that they
will remain content with such refusals. In.
deed tits understood that they are indus
|triously endeavoripg to accomplish their dis
loyal purposes by degrees and by indircc-
ton. Taking advantage Of the embarrass.
ments of agriculture, manufactures and
commerce in foreign countries, resulting
from the insurrection they have inaugural
ed at home, they seek to involve our COM
mon country in controversies with States
with which every public interest aud every
interest Of mankind require that it shall re-
main in relations of peace, amity and friend
ship. am able to state for you satisfac
tion that the prospect for any such disturb
ance is now less serious than it has been al
any previous period during the course Of
the insuuection. 1t is nevertheless neces-
sary now, as it has heretofore been, to take
every precaution that is possible to avoid the
evils of foreign war, to be superinduced
upon those of civil commotion, which We
are endeavoriug to cure.
One of the most obvious of these precau
tions is, that our ports and harbors on The
seas and lakes should be put in condition
of complete defence, for any nation may be
said to involuntarily 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 come.
The measures which tho Executive can
adopt in this emergency are such only as
Congress has sanctioned, and for which il
has provided.
The President is putting forth the most
diligent efforts to execute these measures
and we have the great satisfaction of seeing
that these efforts are seconded by the favor
aid and support of loyal, patriotic and
self-sacrifeing people, and are rapidly bring
ing the military and naval forces of the
United States into the highest state o.
efficiency. But Congress was chiefly alb
sorbed during its recent extra session with
these measures, and did not provide as am.
pie as could be wished for the fortification
of sea and lake coasts. In previous wars
the loyal states have applied themselves by
aud seperate activity to the
support and aid of the Federal Govern
ment in its arduous responsibilities. The
same disposition has been manifested in a
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
disposition on the part of the loyal States,
the President has directed me to invite
your consideration to the subject of the i'm
provement and perfection of the defenses
Of the state over which you preside, and to
ask you to submit the subject to the con-
sideration of the Legislature, when it shall
have assembled. Such proceedings by the
State would require only temporary use
Of its means.
The expenditures ought to be made the
subject of conference with the Federal Gov
ernment. Being thus made with the con-
currence of the Government for general de-
fence, there is every reason to believe that
Congress would sanction what the State
would do, and would provide for its reim
bursement.
Should these suggestions bo accepted
the President will direct the proper agent
of the Federal Government to confer witt
you, and to superintend, direct and couduc
the prosecution of the system of defense c
your State.
have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
\ (Signed,) WILLIAM H. SEWARD.