The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-05-22

were in rendezvous at Kcokuk by the Goth
inst. The prompt and patriotic action OF
the people enabled me to place them there
in uniform on the 9Th, twelve days in ad
vance of the time fixed, and they would
have been there a week sooner had not the
action of the mob at Baltimore cut off all
communication with the seat Of Govern
ment, and left me without any instructions
for two weeks.
recommend that you make suitable ap-
preparations, covering expenses thus incur
red. Tender of troops we're made altogether
beyond the amount required, and learning
from the newspapers and other sources that
another requsition would probably be made
on this State, took the responsibility of or
dering into quarters in the respective coun-
ties where raised, enough companies to form
a second regiment in anticipation of such
requisition, that they might acquire the
necessary discipline and drill.
The second rcqustion has not yet reach
cd me, but am expecting it daily, and am
prepared to respond to it promptly when
made. The officers and men composing the
first regiment were in quarters some time
before being mustered into the service Of
the U. s. and those called out in anticipa-
ton Of second requisiton, will have been
in quarters considerable time before they
will be called into service, if at all. 1t is
but just that provision be made for pay
ment of the men who have thus promptly
and periodically stepped forth in defence Of
the country, for the time lost by them be-
fore being actually received by the United
States, and I recommend that you make the
necessary appropriations for that purpose.
In addition to the two regiments thus
accepted by me, have already received ten
ders of companies enough to make up five
regiments more, and / have been strongly
urged by them, and by mahy other citizens,
to accept the whole, and put them in quar-.
ters at the expense Of the State. In view
of the facts that all had done was without
the authority of law, and the further fact
that you, the law making power Of the State,
were soon to assemble, did not feel justi-
fled in so doing, but have recommended in all
cases that all such companies should, il pos
| siblc, keep up their organization, and should
devote as much Of their time as possible to
the drill without interfering materially with
| their ordinary business, thus keeping in re-
serve large organized and partially drilled
force to meet emergencies. -.r-
In several localities patriotic citizens have,
at their own expense, furnished subsistence
for companies thus organized and not ac-
| copied, and they have been in quarters drill
| ling daily Whether any Of the expenses
thus incurred shall be paid by the State, or
whether any compensation will be made to
| the men for the time thus spent in quarters,
is peculiarly within your province to deter
mine.
In addition to the passage of laws lcgaliz-
ing what has thus far been Gone, and pro-
viding for expenses thus far incurred, it will
be your duty carefully to examine what
further the State should do to meet the pre-
sent necessities and future contingencies.
In my judgment there are two objects
which in your elaboration you should keep
steadily in view, and which recommend to
your serious consideration, viz the protec-
ton of our State against invasion and the
prompt supply to the General Government
of any further aid it may require
Our State is supposed by many to be expos.
ed to an attack, on two sides--our Southern and
We stern borders-on the South by reckless
men from Missouri; on the West by Indians
Missouri is unfortunately strongly infe cted with
the heresy OF Secession, which is hurrying So
many of the Southern States to ruin. What
may be the ultimate result Of that State, we
do not know. Should she unfortunately at
tempt to dissolve her connection with the Uni.
on. serious trouble may, and probably will,
spring up along the Southern borders. Even
in that event can hardly anticipate an armed
invasion by regular military forces from that
State Surrounded as she is by Kansas, Iii
nois and Iowa, such invasion by her would
be sheer madness, and it seems to me we are
guarded against such danger if not by her calm
judgment and her neighborly good will at least
by her instinct of self preservation. But un.
less reckless men within her limits may take
advantage Of the unsettled condition Of public
affairs to organize a system of border warfare,
for the purpose OF plumber; it is your duty to
properly guard against the danger.
The known facts that the troops have wholly |
or in part b.en withdrawn from the forts in the |
territories west of us, and the restraint Of their
presence thus removed from the Indian tribes
on our border, that the Indians have received,
probably, high colored statements in regard tn
the war now Ion us, and that since the massa.
ere at Spirit Lake in our State, some years
SINCE. which went wholly unpublished they have
shown an aggressive disposition. coupled with |
the fact that they may be tempered with 10y bad |
men render it, in my Judgment, matter of
imperative necessity that prole measures be |
taken to guard against danger from that quar-
ter s7 - n s~.s-, sa. 80 ..
Ihave already done what / could with the |
limited means at my command, to furnish arms |
on both borders
Two modes for the protection Of the State
md furnishing further aid, ii needed, to the
General Government, suggest themselves to
me- One is the mastering into the service Of
the State, armrg, eqnipping, and placing in
camp to acquire discipline and drill, a number
of regiments of volunteers. The advantages |
Of this are, that we would have at hand a dis.
ciplined force, ready to meet any emergency,
State or Federal. The disadvantages are its
great expense, and its insuficency, by reason
Of the great extent of our border, to protect
our frontier against the lawess bands to which |
We are exposed. The other plan is to organ
ize along our Southern and Western frontier,
arm and COMP but not to muster into active
service, sufficient force of minute men, who
may be called upon at any moment to meet any
emergency that may arise at any point.
This will be The more eff Give plan for home
protection, but will not piece the State in po-
sition to render such effective aid t. the Gene.
raj Government Viii h il either of these
plans or whether combination Of both, or
whether something wholly distinct from either
shall be adopted, ] leave Tor your wisdom to
decide. 81 IA = +
1t will be necessary that you enact military
law, authorizing among other things the forma
ton of a military staff under which can have
the assistance and advice of such officers as
compose it, in arming, equpping and supporting
such further troops as you may direct to be
raised for the use OF the State or rs may be re-
quired for the United States.
1t will also be necessary 10 use the credit of
the State to raise means to meet the extraor
binary expenses incurred, and to be incurred
You have the power to do this under that pro-
vision Of the Constitution which authorizes,
without vote OF the people, the contracting OF
a debt to "repcl INVASION" or "to defend the
State in War;" snaa
In most of all Of the counties in which com
panies have thus far been accepted, the Board
of Supervisors or public and spirited citizens