The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-06-24

Ll1Coln'h Uef6nee Of C0tmef01i.
We have obtained copy Of Lincolns late mes
sage to the Federal Congross in reference to the
solution Of censure upon his ex Secretary Of War;
We publish II as part Of the history Of TIN. times
To ths Senate aud House Of Represcniotices:
The insurrection which is yet existing In the lJui
ted States and aims Vt ~ overthrow Of the Federal
Constitution and the Union, WIS clands~inely pre-
pared dnring the winter Of 1850 and ledI, and as
suned an open organization ia the form Of trea
aonabfe provisional Government at Mont gomery
Alabama, on the 18th day Of February, 1861. On
the 10Th day of April. letl. the insurgents commit -
the fragrant act Of civil war by the bonbardmcnt
and capture Of Fort Sumter which cut on tbe hope
Of Immediate Cancellation Immediately pfterwa ards
all the rods and to this city were O6strucf
cd and the capital was put into the condition of a
siege.
Tire mails in every direction were stopped, aud
the lines Of telegraph cut of by the insurgents,
and military and naval forces, (which had been
called out by the Government for the defence of
Washington, were prevented from reaching the
city by organized and combined reasonable re-
sistance in the State sof Maryland. There was
no adequate and effective organization for the pub
Tic defence. Congress had indefinitely adiourned.--
There was no time TO convene thcm 1t became
necessary for me to choose whether, using only the
existing means, agencies and processes which Con-
gress h;, provided l should let tho Government
fall at once into ruin, whether, avaing myself
OF the broader powers conferred by the Constitu
ton III cases of insurrecton, would make effort
to save it, with all its blessings, for tho present age
and for posterity.
thereupon summoned my constitutional advis
era, the heads of all the Depart ments, to meet on
Sunday, the 2lst day of April. 1861 at the Office of
the Navy Department, AMI then and there, with
their unanimous cOocurrence, l directed that an
armed revenue cutter should proceed 70 sea, TO af
ford protection to the commercial llariIie and espe-
cally the California treasure ships, then on their
way to this coast. also directed the commandant
aud arm as quickly AZ possible, five steamships for
purposes of public defence. / directed the com
mandant of the Navy-Yard at Philadelphia to
purchase charter and arm an equal number for
the same purpose. directed the colnmandant at
New York to purchase charter and arm an equal
number. directed commander Cillis to purchase
or charter and arm aud put to sea two other vessels
Slmilnr directions were given TO Commodore Du-
pont. with a view to the opening Of passages by
water to and from the capital
directed the several officers to take the advice
and obtain the aid and efficient services in the mat
ter of his Excellsncy, Edwin D. Morgan the Gov.
ernor of New York, or, in his absence George D.
Morgan William N. Evarts, X. NJ. Blatchforti and
Moses H. Grinnell, who We're, by my directions es
pecially empowered by the Secretary of the Navy
to act for his Department in that crisis in matters
pertaining to the forwarding of troops aud supplies
for the public defence. On the same occasion d
rected that Gov. Morgan and Alex. Cummings, of
the city of New York, should be authorized by the
Secretary of War (Simon Cameron) to make all ne
Cessary for the transportation troops
and munitions of war in aid aud assistance of the
officers of the army of the United States until COM
muncation by mails and telegraph should be com
plcely reestablished between the cities of Wash
ington and New York. No security required to
be gwen by them and either of them was aut hOrZ.d
to act in of inability to consult with the Others
On the same occasion authorized and directed
the Secretary of the Treasury to advance, without
requiring security, two millions of dollars of public
money to John A. Dix, George Opdy ke, and Richard
NJ. Blatchford of New York to be used by them in
meeting such acquisitions should be directly con
sequent upon the military and naval measures ne
cessary for the defence and support of the Govern
n g. W fcppu.N .Na,,s.,-
ton, and to report their transactions when duly call
cd upon. The several depart ments of the Govern
ment at that time contained no large number of
disloyal persons that would have been Impossible
to provides safely through official agents only for
the performance OF the duties thus cOnded to cti-
zens favorably known for their ability, loyalty and
patriotism.
The several orders issued upon these occurrences
were transmitted by private messengers, who pur-
sued circnitots way to the seabcard cities inland
across the States of Pennsylvania and Ohio and the
Northern Lakes. believe that by these and other
similar measures taken hi that crisis some of which
were without any authority of law, the Cove rnment
was saved from overthrow. lam not aware that d
dollar of the public funds thus coniided without a,l-
.hority of law unofficial persons either lost
or wasted, although appTehensions of such misrec-
tons occurred TO an objections to these extraor
binary proceedings. and were NECESSARILY Overrul.d
recall Theses transactions now, because my atten
ton has been directed to resolution which .s
passed by the House Of Representatives the ;pth
of last month. which is in these words:
''Res0Ired, That SIMON Cameron. late Secretary
of War. by investing Alexander Cummings with
the control Of large sums of public money, and au
thority to purchase military supplies. without re-
striction. without requiring from him any gnaran-
tee for the faithful performance of his duties, when
the services of competent public officers avail
able, aid by invoking the Government in a vast
number of contracts with persons not legitimatelv
engaged in the business pertaining to tn. subject
matter of such contracts especially IL the purchase
of arms for future delivery, has adopted policy
highly injurious to the pubic service and deserves
the censure of this House,
Congress will that should be wanting equal
ly in candor and in justice, if should leave the
ccnsurr, expressed in this resolution to rest excu-
svely or chiefly upon Mr.. Cameron.
The same sentiment is unanimously entertained
by the heads of departments, who participated in
the proceedings which the House of Representatives
has censured It is due to Mr. Cameron to say that.
although he fully approved the proceedings they
were not moved nor suggested by him, and that not
only the President, but all the other heads of de-
partmen.s, were at least equally responsible, with
him, for whatever error, wrong fault was COM
mitted in the premises ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Washington May 26th 1862
On motion o! Mr.. Holman, of Induna. it was re
ferred to the Committee of the Whole House.
MoRGAN's LATEST EXPLOIT.-A correspondent
of the Mobile Eeg lister, writing from Chattanooga
recpunts the foIlONiup