Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-05-16
7GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.
/ EXECUTIVE OFFICE, ]
 LITTLE RocK, ARK, f
 May. 9th. 1861 ]
Hon. DAVID WALKER,

In response 10 the lnNltatlOn gwen tIe by your honorable body to communicate to it any views that l might desire to submit, l avail myself of the opportunity to pre- sent the following touching the military and financial condition of the government; having as its executive officer been in timatcly connected recently iii important movements necessary for its defence and safety.
 Unexpectedly by the late proclamation of President Lincoln-a state of war has been provoked, involving each and every i State of the old Contederacy. 1 That document 1 regard as declaration Of hostilties as well against the States seced- cd as those still lingering in the old Union; each slave holding or southern State hay ing announced distinctly an utter repug- nance to the doctrine of coercion or sub ugation of American freemcn in or out of the union.
 Upon this point at least, we are and have been a unit, for it strikes away the corner stone from the temple of American liberty
 Immediately following the proclamation issued by the President, 1 had the honor of receiving from the Hon. Simon Cameron, secretary of war for Mir. Lincoln's govern ncnt, acquisition for seven hundred and eighty men to be raised from my fellow 1 citizens of Arkansas, for the very humane and christian purpose of wiping out" and desolating the South by fire and sword, and other select appliances conceived of by the horde of motley mercenaries now marshall | led under and desecrating the flag of the American Union.
 To the communication of Mr. Cameron returned the following reply-brief but clearly indicative of what ], as the Execu- tive of this free people, conceived to be q fitting response to such piece of presump- tion and ignorance. For l take 1t for granted, that whatsoever IS evolved from so high a political circle as the cabinet at Washington is put forth at least in spirit of candor and not in hypocritical pretence and parade.
 EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
 Line Rock, Ark, April 22, 1S61.l Hon. SIMON CAMERON,
 .Sec'y of Uyw, Washington Cay, 2. c.
 In answer to your acquisition for troops from Arkansas, to subjugate the Southern States, l have to say, that none will be furnished. The demand is only adding insult to injury.
 The people of this commonwealth are freemen, not slaves, and will defend to the last extremity their honor, lives and pro- pertv, against northern mendacity and usur patton. HENRY NJ. RECTOR,
 Gopernor of Arkansos.
 The purpose declared by President Lin coin of retaking the forts and arsenals being peculiarly pertinent to the attitude assumed by Arkansas in reference to such properties, l, as precautionary against any movement contemplated for the re- capture of the Arsenal at this place, took immediate steps 10 inform myself if con- ,entration of troops should be attempted at Fort Smith, assuming that such a move ment would be clearly indicative of a present intention to repossess the Arsenal here.
 On the 10th April, l received intelli- gence direct from Fort Smith, and from a i source that I esteemed reliable, to the effect that reinforcement of ,000 United States troops had been ordered to repair promptly to that post A sense of duty prompted me to take steps to intercept the additional command, and that said fort might not in future become the nucleus of an imposing force, l thought it best to reduce it to State authority, and convert it into an en- campment, fort or barracks, for the accom- modation and security of an army of friends instead of "masked battery" manned by astute and agile enemies.
 Col Solon Borland, gentleman in whom I, and those whom he commanded had the most implicit confidence, was, as my aid-de-camp, put in command of the expedition with instructions to reduce Fort Smith and its contents, whether reinforced or not to the possession and authority of the State; which was done to my entire satisfaction, and l hope to that of every citizen who has the honor and welfare of his country at heart.
 Brigadicr- General N. B. Burrow is now in command of this post and public prop erty captured with it, with directions to detach sufficient force from his brigade