Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1861-10-24
Mr.. SeMard'S Circular.

The following 10 the text Of Mr..
Stewards late circular, which has
been sent to the Governors of all
the loyal States. We see nothing in
it to alarm except on account of the
increased expenditure on the part Of
the States, which will become neces-
sorry If Mr.. Stewards suggestions are
carried out 4:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, Oct. IA 1861. {
To his Euceileney the Gorunor Of the
STATE of Io,od:
SIR :--The present insurrection had
not even revealed itself in arms, when
disloyal citizens FASTENED to foreign
countries to invoke their Intervention
forsthe overthrow Of the Governments
and the destruction of the Federal
Union. These agents are known to
have made their appeals to some of
the more. important States without
success. 1t is not likely, however,
that they viii remain content with
such refusals. Indeed, it is under
stood that they are industriously en-
dcavoring to accomplish their disloyal
purposes by degrees and indrection.
Taking advantage Of the embarress-
ments of agriculture, manufactures,
aud commerce in foreign countries,
resulting from the insurrection they
have inaugurated 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
it shall remain in relations Of peace,
amity and friendship. l am able to
state for your satisfaction that the
prospect for any such disturbance is
now less serious than it has been at
any previous period during the
course of the insurrection. 1t is
nevertheless necessary now, as it
has hitherto been, to take every pre-
caution that is possible to avoid the
evils of foreign war, to be supcrin-
duced upon those of civil connection
which we are endeavoring to cure.
One of the most obvious of such
precautions is that our ports and har-
bors of the seas and lakes should be
put in condition of complete defence,
for any nation may be said to volun-
tarily incur danger in tcmpestuous
seasons when it fails to show that it
has sheltered itself on every side from
which the storm might 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 diligent efforts to execute these
measures, and we have the satisfac-
ton of seeing that these efforts, Sec
onded by the favor, aid, and support
of loyal, patriotic and sclf.sacrific-
ing people, are rapidly bringing the
military and naval forces of the Unit
ed States into the highest state of
efficiency. But Congress was chiefly
absorbed during its recent extra ses-
sion with those measures, and did not
provide as amp'y as could be wished
for the fertilization Of our sea and
lake coasts. In previous wars the
loyal States have applied themselves
by independent and separate activity
to the support and aid Of the Federal
Government in its arduons RESPONSE
biltics. The same disposition has
been manifested in degree emincntly
honorable by all the loyal States du-
| ring the present instruction. In view
of this fact. and relying upon the in
crease 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 Improvement aud per-
lection of the dcfcnces Of the State
over which you preside, and to ask
yon to submit the subject to the con-
sideration of the Legislature when it
shall have assembled. Such proceed
ings by the State would require only
a temporary use Of its means. s5l.
The expenditure ought to be made
the subject of conference with the.
Federal Government. Being thus
made, with the concurrence Of the
Government for general defence, there
is every reason to believe that Con-.
gress would sanction what the State
should do, and would provide for its
reimbursement.
Should these suggestions be accept
ed, the President will direct the prop
or agents of the Federal Government
to confer with you, and to superintend,
direct, and conduct the prosecution of
the system of defence of your State.
have the honor to be, sir, your
obedient servant. fei W oa 3aa.