The Van Buren press., 1861-05-29

Governors Message.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, LITTLE Rock AaXl
May s, 1861,
Hon. DAVID Walker,
President Of the State Convention
In response to the invitation given me by
your honorable body to communicate to it
any views that might desire to submit, l
avail myself of the opportunity to present
the following. touching the military and
financial condition of the government. hav-
ing, as its executive officer, been intimately
connected recently in important movements
necessary for its defence and safety.
Unexpectedly. by the late proclamation
of President Lincoln. . state Of war has
been provoked, involving each and ove.y
| State of the old Confedcrscy.
That document regard as declaration
Of hostilities ~ we'll against the States se-
ceded a. those still lingering in the old
Union each slave-holding or southern state
having announced, distinctly. an utter re-
pugnance to the doctrine Of coercion or sub
/ IiugatioR of American freemcn, in or out of
the Union.
/ Immediately following the proclamation
issued by the President. had the honor OF
receiving from the Hon. Simon Cameron,
Secretary of War for Mr.. Lincoln's govern
ment. requisition for seven hundred and
eighty men to be raised from my fellow cit
liens of Arkansas. for the very humane and
christian purpose of "wiping out and
desolating the South by fire and sword, and
other select appliances conceived of by the
horde Of motley mercenaries. now marshall
led under, and desecratinS the flag OF the
American Union.
To the communication of Mr.. Cameron.
I returned the following reply-brief. but
clearly Indicative of what 1, as the Execu-
tive of this fee people. conceived to be a
fitting response to such piece of presump-
tion and ignorance. For take it for gran
tied, that whatsoever is evolved from SO high
a political circle as the Cabinet at Wash.
ington is put forth, at least, in spirit o
candor. and not in hypocrital pretencc and
parade.
Executive OFFICE, LITTLE Rock. Ark I
MONDAY, April 22, 1861.
Hon. Sixox CAMERON
Secretary of War. Washington City, D. c.:
In answer to your requisition for troops from Ar
kansas to subugate the Southern States, haye u
say that none will be furnished. The demand is
only adding insult to injury.
The people of this commonwealth are freenen
not slaves, and will defend to the last extremity
their honor, lives and property. against northern
nlendaeitv and usurpation.
HENRY NJ RECTOR. Gov OF Arkansas.
The purpose declared by President Lin
coin of retaking the forts and Arsenals being
peculiarly pertinent to the attitude assumed
by Arkansas in reference to such properties
l, as precautionary against any movement
contemplated for the re- capture of the Arse
nal at this place. took immediate steps t
inform myself if concentration or troop.
should be attempted at Fort Smith, assum.
ing that such a movement would be clearl,
indicative of present intention to repos
sess the Arsenal here.
!. Ga the 10Th of April, I received intelli
gence direct from Fort Smith, and from
source that esteemed reliable. to the effec
that reinforcement Of 1000 United State
troops had been orde, ed to repair prompt,
j to that post. A sense Of duty prompte,
ME to take steps to intercept the additions
command, and that said fort might not il
future become the nucleus of All imposin;
force, thought it best to reduce it to Stat
authority, and convert it into an encamp
ment, fort or barracks, for the accommoaa
tion and security of an army Of friends in
stead of - masked battery" manned by
astute and agile enemies.
Col. Solon Borlond, gentleman il
whom !, and those whom he commanded
had the most implicit confidence. was. a
mo aid-de- e-camp, put in command of tn
: expedition with instructions to reduce For
| Smith and its contents, whether reinforce'
or not, to the possession and authority @
the State which was done to my entir
satisfaction, and hope to that of ever
citizen who has the honor and welfare of hi
country at heart.
Brig. Gen. N. 3. Burrow is now in com
mand of this post and public property cap
tured with it, with directions to detatch
sufficient force from his brigade to secure
against recapture by the United States for
ces.
e Very shortly subsequent to Mr.. Lincoln
declaration of war. the people of Cincinna
Il having instructive proclivities toward
public plunder. arrested, as it is understoo
a portion of arms and equipments contrac,
: ed for in New York. by Messrs. Danley an
! Churchill, commissioners appointed by tn
! ! legislature to perform that service fou
pieces Of artillery, ammunition and fixture
therefor, and cavalry accoutrements bein
the articles detained the residue of tn
goods bought in New York having been re
b ceived here previous to the Inauguration G
s the Cincinnati policy. Self-pese7vatio1
being the first law of nature from which th
ter-talionis is well established, our citizen
! very properly, as 1 think. followed th
t precedent set by the people of Cincinnati
and captured for detention. not confiscatior
several vessels northward bound and belor
: ging exclusively to the people Of that city
: and upon inquiry made of me upon th
subject, gave an order to Maj. Gen. Ja
Yell to take charge Of said steam boata
"Mars,' and "Ohio Belle ITO secur
them and their cargoes against waste {
damage until restitution should be made
the property captured in Cincinnati. S
far no exchange has been made, and th
boats remain under and subject to the prop
er authorities of Arkansas.
q STEAMBOATS, SEHED AT NApoLEoN.-
Steamboat Ohio Belle" about 1000 burd
: en-; well-fitted for transporting troops O