The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-10-25
The Seward Circular-.As Sent to Each
Northern Governor.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
ss 81 WAsHINGToN, Oct. ii.
To Ills Ircellency the Governor of the


To His Tacellency the Governor of tie
State #
SIR The present insuirection had not
even revealed itself in arms when disloval
citizens has,ened to foreign countries 10
invoke their intervention for the over.
throw of the government and the de-
struction Of the federal Union. Those
agents are known TO have made their an.
peals TO some Of the more importan,
States without success. 1t is not likely.
however, thatthey will remain conten,
with such refusals. Indeed, il is under.
stood that they are industriously en-.
deaVoring 20 accomplish their disIoval pur.
poses by degrees and indireclion. TAX
ing advantage Of the en- barrassmenls oil
agriculture, manufactures and commerce
in foreign countries, resulting from tho
insurrection they have inaugurated al
home, they seek to involve our common
country in controversies with States with
which every public interest and every in
tcrest of mankind require that it shall re
main in relations of peace, amily and
friendship. am able to state for your
satisfaction that the prospect Tor any such
disturbance is now less serious thar il has
been at any previous period during the
| course OF the lnsurrecton. II is never.
theless necessary now, as il has hitherto
been, 10 take every precaution that is
possible to avoid the evils Of foreign war
to be superinduced upon those Of civil
commolion which we were endeayoriny tc
cure. ......., $500.
! One ofthe most obvious OF such pre-.
cautions is, that our ports and harbors on
the seas and lakes should be put in a con
dition Of complete defense, for any nation
may be said to voluntarily incur danger
in tempestuous seasons when il fails 10
show that it has sheltered itself on every
side from which the storm might possibly
come. .... . ....t '.I...'
The measures which The executive can
adopt in this emergency are such onlv as
Congress has sanctioned, and for which
it has provided.
The President is putting forth the most
dlligent Efforts 10 execute these measures,
and we have the great satisfaction OF see.
ing that these efforts, seconded by the fa-
vor, aid and support Of loyal. patriotic
and seli-sacrticing people, are rapidly
bringing the military and naval forces Of
the United States into the higbes. state Of
efficiency. But Congress was chiefly alb
sotbed during its recent extra session with
those measures, and did not provide as
amply as could be wished Tor the fortiG-
cation Of our sea and lake coasts. In
previous wars the loyal States have ap-
piled themselves by independent and sep.
arate activity TO the support and aid Of
the federal government in its arduous
responsibilities. The same disposition
has been manifested in degree eminen,ly
honorable by all the loyal States during
The present ihsurrec,ion. In view Of this
fact, and relying upon the increase and
continuance Of the same disposition on the
part OF the Loyal States, the President
has directed me TO invite your consiLera.
ton to the subject OF the i'm Improvement and
perfection OF the defense of the Stale over
which you preside, and 10 ask YOU TO
submit the subject to the consideration of
the Legislature when it shall have as
sembled. Such proceedings by the State
"ouio require only temporary use Of its
means.
The expenditure ought to be made the
subjec; OF conference with the federal
government. Being thus made, with the
concurrence OF the government, for gen.
eral defense, there is every reason to be-
lleve that Congress would sanction what
the State should do, and provide for its
reimbursement. ...-.
Should these suggestions be accepted,
the President will direct the proper agents
OF the federal government to confer with
you, and to superintend, direct and con.
duct the prosecution Of the system Of de.
Tense Of your State.
have the honor TO be, sir, your obedienl
(Signed) VIM. H. SEWARD.
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