The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-10-23

DEPARTMENT OF Srln

DEPARrNENr OF STATE.
Washington. October IA, 1861
To his Excellency. the Governor Of The Sat-.
New York:
SIR-The present instruction had no, era,
revealed itself in arms when dislovzl cit;..S
FASTENED 10 foreign countries TO awake their j.
tervention for the overthrow Of the Goyernmsn,
and the destruction Of the Federal Cnion.
These agents are known 10 have made thei, u.
peals t. some Of the mure important St.,s.
without success. II is not likely, however The,
they will remain content with such refns.ls
Indeed. il is understood that they are indus,,;
ously endeavoring To accomplis h their di,lor.l
purposes by degrees and by indirection. Tai.
ing advantage Of the embarrassments of ay,;.
culture and manufactures and commerce in ioe
eign countries. resulting from the iusurrecuon
they have inaugurated AT home. they seek 10
| involve our common country in conirovsrues
| with States, with which every public intere,,
and every interest of mankind require tina, n
shall remain in relations of peace, amity and
friendship. l am able TO state, for your satis.
faction, that the prospect for any such disturb.
ance Is now less serious than il has been at spv
previous period during the course of the insur.
| rection. liz Is. nevertheless necessary now N
II has hitherto been, TO take every precautioo
| that Is possible 10 avoid the evils of foreicn
war. 10 be superinduced upon those OF civil
lcommotion, which We are endeavoring 10 cure
One Of the most obvious OF such precautions
is that our ports and harbors on the seas and
lakes should be put in condition Of complete
defense. for any nation may be said to volunu-
Irily incur danger in tempestuous seasons when
ii fails TO show that it has sheltered itself on
every side from which the storm might possibly
come.
The measures which the Executive can adopt
in this emergency are such only as Congress
has sanctioned, and for which il has provided
The President Is putting forth the most dill
gent efforts 10 execute these measures and We
have the great satisfaction of seeing that these
efforts are seconded by the favor. and support
OF loyal patriotic and seli-sacri6cng people
who are rapidly bringing the military and naval
forces of the United States into the highest
state OF efficiency. But Congress was chiefly
absorbed during lis recent extra session with
these measures and did not provide as amply q
could be wished for the fertilization Of the 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 respoa-
sibilties. The same disposition has been mani
) tested in degree eminently honorable by al
the loyal States during the present insurrectoa.
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 10
the subject of the improvement 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 il
shall have assembled. Such proceedings by the
, State would require only temporary use OF il.
means. The expenditures ought Ia be- made th,
subject of conference with the Federal Govern
; ment. Being thus made with the concurrence
: of the government for general defense, there i,
every reason to believe that Congress would
sanction what the State should do. and would
provide for its reimbursement. Should thess
suggestions be accepted. the President will di
rect the proper agents of the Federal Govern
ment to confer with you. and to superintend
direct and conduct the prosecution of the sys
TEN Of defense of our State.
have the honor to be. Sir. your ob'dt serv't
. WIN. ii. SEWARD.