Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-05-16

declaration of war, the people of CinciM natl having instinctive proclivities toward. public plunder, arrested as 1t Is understood a portion of arms and equipments con tracted for in New York by Messrs. Danley and Churchill, commissioners appointed by the legislature to perform that service four pieces of artillery, ammunition anC fixtures therefor, and some cavalry ac couterments being the articles detained the residue of the goods bought in New York having been received here previous to the inauguration of the Cincinnati policy. Self preservation being the frs law of nature from which the lex-tal'ouis i: well established, our citizens very properly as I think, followed the precedent se by the people of Cincinnati, and cap tured for detention, not confiscation several vessels northward bound, anC belonging exclusively to the people O that city-and upon inquiry made oi me upon this subject, l gave an order to Major General James Yell to take charge of said steam boats, |" Mars" and "Ohio BeIle'-to secure them and theil cargoes against waste or damage until resti tuition should be made of the property captured in Cincinnati. So far no ex- change has been made, and the boats re main under and subject to the proper au- thorties of Arkansas.
 STEAMDoArs SEIZED AT NApoLEoN- Steamboat "Ohio Belle" about 1000 bur- den; well fitted for transporting troops on the Mississippi river. Her cargo consists | of 1900 sacks of salt.
 Steamboat Hetty Gilmer,' about 150 tuns burden-well adapted for the Arkan- sas and White river--light draught. Has valuable cargo of assorted produce.
 In connection with this subject l will mention also, that the citizens of Napoleon and Pine Bluff, upon their own volition, have recently captured q large amount of government subsistence stores and some cavalry equipments. Which transpiring subsequent to the late proclamation of Mr. Lincoln, l also appreciated and consented to receive, in the name of the State, and pay the current charges due for freight out of the public treasury.
 Regarding it as almost providental that in time of great scarcity, and when positive inhibition is enforced against even the transportation South of the necessaries of life, that these cargoes should be lodged amongst our people-who are as justly en- titled to them as those nhabiting any other portion of the original Union. But imma- terial as the legal right, the act l conceive to be fully justiable upon the score of self defence and sclf-preseryation, natures first, noblest and universal law.
 On the 23d ult., intelligence was received from the authorities and the people of East Arkansas and West Tennessee, that large force of Mr. Lincoln's troops were assem- bling rapidly at Cairo, having heavy ordi- nance, horses, and adjuncts necessary for aoqressive warfare. Universal alarm and uneasiness prevailed upon the eastern bor- der. evincing a well grounded apprehen- f sion -},etca 9tr,eaent from Cairo was contcm- plated down the Mls;fsippi ts'44t4tfra .ayo owed purpose of laying waste to all which might perchance be in the way. Believing that even short delay might invite an attack upon our citizens, and knowing their utter destitution of the means of defence If in- vaded, 1 dispatched a message to Gov. Harris enquirng whether he by authority would cooperate with Arkansas in the de- fence of the Mississippi His assent to the proposition was prompt and fully to the point Gen. Yell was called immediately into service, and orders issued by me to ren- dezvous such force as in his opinion be- came necessary, opposite or near the city of Memphis, and to act in conjunction, as far as possible, with that city and the peo- ple of Tennessee in the common defence oi that portion of the country; conhning his operations however to our own limits and not for aggression, but for defensive purposes.
 From his verbal report, l learn that he has five hundred men under arms at Mound City, under strict discipline, armed and equipped for the most efficient servlce.- This much in military point of view, deemed it my duty to do; the constitution and laws passed in conformity thereto an- thorizing and directing me " to protect the | State against invaSion'' in such manner as the exigencv may require, and to em- plov the army thereof for that purpose.
 The timely convocaton of your honora ble body, possessing plenary powers under the scope of its delegated authority, repre- senting the entire people of the State, evades the necessity of assuming further responsibilities on my part touching these important movements, until the status oi the government shall be autholitatlvely fixed, and a policy indicated for the future guidance of those who may be charged in future with the maintainance and defence of the State. If left to me, 1t must not be anticipated else, than that the last slnew m the last arm of the last man in Arkansas, myself with the rest, shall be brought in re1uisition rather than flag of conquest and dishonor shall be unfurlcd over oul ncople. For to us, 1t IS a war of success i iul defence, or rextermination-O of llbcr- tv or death-between which cannot doubt that Arkansians will hesitate to choose.
 War, though no luxury, is nevertheless an expensive indulgence, and requires mo- nev to conduct it successfully or even at all.
 Arkansas, 1 regard as being in the most exposed condition of any State in the Un- ion Her contiguity to the Indian terri tories west, which countries are regarded by the opposing governments respectively, as portant--nay, indispensable adjuncts, will make her western border almost the exclusive theatre of war west of the Mis- sissippi The germ of present difficulties was found in Kansas, and their solution will be had in great battle to be fought upon the same soil, predict.
 Nor are we less, but more exposed on the shores of the Mississippi. The topo- graphy of the country there is inauspicious for defence, insalubrious for troops, and presenting formidable obsticles for theiI transportation or necessary local move ments or evolutions.
 With the cooperation of Tennessee, however, our security is much increased, and successful defence made practicable.
 Amongst others to the State, there is a serious difficulty in the lack of arms. The supply consists in 10000 stand of infantry, cavalry service for one regiment, with .b;.,u ,D;oao, If ort;iIarv all tnlJ-tbn h f.