Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-10-17
LNEP0RTANT LET FER FROM SECEgE-
EAIsY SEW AAED.
Protection Against Foreign Foes,


WASHINGTON, Oct 1G.-lhe following i'm
portant circular has been sent 10 Gov, Morgan
and similar ones to the governors of all the
states on the seaboard and lakes =
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, Oct, II, 1861
SIR The present iusurrectlon had not even
revealed itself in arms when disl6yaI clIlzehS
FASTENED to foreign countries to invoke their
intervention for the overthrow OF the govern
ment and the destruction of the federal Union.
These agents are known to have made their
app ais 10 some of the more important states
without success. 1t is not likely, however,
that they will remain content with such re-
lusals Indeed, it is understood that they are
uduslriousty endeavorng to accomplish their
disluyal purposes by degrees and by indlrec-
ton. Taking advantage OF the cmbaFrass
mrnts of agriculture manufactures and COM
mtrCe in foreign countries, resulting from the
Instruction they have inauguEa!ed at home,
they seek to involve our common country III
controversies with states with which every
public interest, and every interest require that
it shall remain in relations OF peace, amty,
and friendship. am able to stale for your
satisfaction, that the prospect OF any such us
turhanCe is now less serious than II has been
at any previous period during the course OF
the instruction 1t is, nevertheless, necessary
precaution that is possible to avoid the evils ut
foreign war to be superinduced upon those OF
civil cOmmOton, which we are endeaV0rns to
cure. One OF the most obvious OF such pre-
cautions Is, that our ports and harborS on the
and lakes should be put in condition OF
complete defence, for any nation may be sad
to voluntarily incur danger in tempestuouS
seasons, when it fails to show that it has shel.
tered itself on every side from which the storm
might possibly come The measures which
the executive can adopt III 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 meas ures, and We have the great
satisfaction OF seeing that these efforts, second
ed by the favor, aid, and support OF a loyal,
patriotic, and self sacrificing people, are rapid
ly bringing the military and naval forces Of
the United States into the highest state OF
efficiency. But congress was chiefly ab
sorbed during lis recent session with those
measures and did not provide as amply as
could be wished for the ratification of our sea
and lake coasts In previous walls loyal states
have applied themselves by Independent and
separate activity 10 support and and the federal
government in its arduous responsibilities
The same disposition has been manifested in
degree eminenty honorable by all the loyal
states daring the present instruction. In view
OF this tact, and relying upon the increase and
continuance OF the same disposition on the part
OF loyal states, the president has directed me to
invite your consideration to the subject of the
Improvement and perfection OF the deienceS Of
tie states over which you preside, and ask you
to submit the subject to the consideration OF
the legislature, when it shall have assembled.
Such proceedings by the state would require
only temporary use OF its means. The eX.
g.. a..