The national Republican., 1861-10-17
AN IMPORTANT CIRCULAR.


The following important circular has been
sent to Governor Morgan, and similar ones have
been sent to the Governors of all the States on
the seaboard and the lakes:
DEPARTMENT OF STATS
Washington October IA, 1861.
TO his Rrcellency, Goue'nor Of Re Slate Of Mt,o
York: H.
Sin: The present lnsurrection had not even
revealed itself In arms, when disloyal citizens
hastened to foreign countries to invoke their
Intervention for the overthrow of the Govern
ment and the destruction Jf the Federal Union.
These agents are known to have made their ap-
peals TO some Of the more important States
without success. It b not likely, however, that
they will remain content with such refusals.
Indeed, Il is understood that they are industri-
ously endeavoring to accomplish their disloyal
purposes by degrees and by ipdirection.
Taking advantage Of the endorsements Of
agriculture, manufactures and commerce in
foreign countries, resulting from the insurrec-
tion they have inaugurated at home, they seek
to involve our common country In controver
sizes with States with which every public inte
rest, and every interest Of mankind, require
that II shall remain In relations Of peace, amity
and friendship. am able to state, for your
satisfaction, that the prospect Of any such dis
turbance Is now less serious than II has been
at any previous period during the course
Of the insurrecuon 1t Is, nevertheless, neces-
sary now, as 1t has hitherto been, to take every
precaution that is possible to avert the evils Of
foreign war, to be superiaduced upon those of
civil commotion which we are endeavoring to
cure. One Of the most obvious Of such precau-
tons is that our ports and harbors on the seas
and lakes should be put in u condition Of com.
plete defence, for any nation may be said to
voluntarily incur danger, in tempestuous sea.
sons. when II fails to show that 1t has shelter
| itself on every side, from which the storm
might possibly come. ......,-
The measures which the Executive can adopt
10 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, aad we have
the great satisfaction OF seeing that these efforts,
secor ded by the favor, aid, and support, of q
loyal, patriotic, aud seifsacrifcing people, are
rapidly bringing the military and naval forces
| Of the United States into the highest state of
efficiency. But Congress was chiefly absorbed,
during its recent extra session. with those meas
ures, and did not provide as amply as could be
wished for the fortifoation of our SEQ and lake
coasts. In previous wsrs, loyal States have
applied themselves, by Independent and sepa
rate activity, to support and aid the Federal
The same disposition has been manifested In .
degree eminently honorable by all the loyal
States during the present insurrection 10
view of this fact, and relying upon the increase
ard continuance of the same disposition on the
part Of the loyal States the President has di-
rected me to invite your consideration to the
subject Of the Importance and perfection Of the
defences of the State over which you preside,
and to 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
penditures ought to be made the subject of con-
ference with the Federal Government. Being
thus made, with the concurrence of the Gov
ernment, for general defence, there is every
reason to believe that Congress would sanction
what the State should do, and would provide
for Its reimbursement. Should these sugges-
tons be accepted, the President will direct
proper agents of the Federal Government to
oonfer 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.
WILLIAM Il. SEWARD.