Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-11-30

States Asshssipt 10 Protect tAsir Sea
The following circular from Secreta-
~ Seward To the Governor Of the diff
fcsent States explains itself:
DEPaRrnExT o. STATE,
WASHINGTON, Ocsoles, IL "a 4,
7s He Ehpdlmy, els 0swonw q III
Gsa !: Ths prssess insDrrsetiae ha1
roe even revealed ieself u asOs, uheu
disloyd citizens fastened 70 Foreign
countries % invoke their interveutiom
for the overthrow Of the Government.
and the destruction cftbe Nssional Cn-
ion. These agents are known 10 have
appealed To some Of the more impor-
tant States without sncccss. Ii Is not
likely. however, that they will remain
content with such refusal Indeed il il
UNDERWOOD shss they ere indasssiossly
endesvoring to se accomplish their disloysl
purposes by degrees snd by indirecsion.
Taking the advantage ofshe emharrzss-
ments Of agriculture, manufactures and
commerce in foreign countries, result
ing from the instruction they have in
auguratcd at home, they seek TO involve
our common country IT, controversies
with States with which every public in
terest of mankind require that it shall
remain in relations Ofpeace, amity and
friendship. lam a5ieto state for yoar sat-
isfacf.on that the prospect for any such DIS
hrJaace as aoe less serious than Il has
befn at any precious period during the
course Of the resurrection. 1t is never
thcless necessary now, as it has hitherto
been, to take every precaution that is
possible to avoid the evils of foreign
war; to be supcrinduced upon those of
civil commotion, which we are endeav-
oring to cure.
One of the most obvious of such
precautions is, that our ports and har-
bors on the seas and lakes should be
put in condition of complete defence,
for any nation may be said to involun-
tarily incur danger in tempestuous sea-
sons when it fails to show that it has
sheltered itself on every side from
which the storm might possibly come.
The measures which the Executive
eau 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 great salts
faction of seeing that these efforts are
seconded by the favor, aid and support
of loyal, patriotic and self-sacrificing
people, and are rapidly bringing the
military and naval forces of the United
States into the highest state of cflicien-
cy. But.Congress was chiefly absorbed,
during its recent extra session, with
these measures, and did not provide rs
amply as could be wished for the forti-
tication 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
arduous responsibilities. The same
disposition has been manifested in de-
gree cmincntly honorable by all the
loyal States during the present insurrec-
ton. -,y
In view of this fact, and relying upon
the increase and continuance of the
same disposition OH the part of the 10y
al States, the President has directed me
to direct your consideration to the
subject Of the improvement aud defcn-
es Of the State over which you preside,
and to ask you to submit the subject to
the consideration Of the Legislature.
when it shall be assembled. Such pro-
ceedings by the State would require
only temporary use Of it's means.
The expenditures ought to be made
the subject Of conference with the Fed
eral Government. Being thus made
with the concurrence of Government
for general defense, there is every rea-
son to believe that Congress would
sanction what the State would do, and
would provide for its reimbursement.
Should these suggestions be accepted,
tho President will direct the proper
agents of the Federal Government to
confer with you, and to superintsnd,
direct and conduct the prosecution Of
defense Of your State.
have the honor to be, sir, your obe-
dent servant.
WILLIAM II. SEWARD.
-