Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-05-30
MESSAGE.

To the Senate end Huse IF Representatives,
The instruction which is YET existing in
the United states and aims ST the overthrow
of the Federal constitution and the Union.
was clandestiHeiy prepared during the Win
ter Of 1850 and IS6l, and assumcd an open
organization IN tie form Of a treasUnahls
provisional government at Montgomery. Al
ALBANIA, on the 18Th day # February, 1861.
On the 18th OF April, 1861, the insurgents
committed the fragrant act of civil war by
the Commandment and captu.e OF Fort Sum
ter which cut IF the hope Of immediate con-
citation. Immediately afterwards all the
roads and avenues to tins city were obstruct-
ed, and the Capitol was put in the condition
of seige. The mails in every direction were
stopped and the lines Of telegraph cut of by
the insurgents, and military and naval forces
which had been called out by tie govern
ment for the defense Of Washington were
prevented from reaching the city by organ
Ized and combined reasonable resistance in
the State OF Maryland. There was no adj
quate and effective organization for the pub
lie defense. Congress had indefinitely adj
journed. There was no time to convene
them. 1t became necessary for ne to choose
whether, using only the existing means.
agencies and processes which Congress had
provided | should let the government fall
into ruin, OF whether. a~vaillng myself Of the
broad powers conferred by the Constitution
in Gases of InsarrectI,n, | should make an
effort TO save II with al It's blessings for the
present age and Tor pOsterIfy. | therefore
summoned my constitutional advisers, the
heads OF all the Departments TO meet on Sun
day, the 10Th day Of April, 1861, at the Of
fee of the navy department, and then and
there with their unanimous concurrence.
decided that an armed revenue cutter should
proceed 10 sea to afford protection to the
commercial marine, especially to California
treasure ships then on their way to the
coast.
| Also directed the commaadaut Of the ma
w yard at Boston 10 purchase OF charter and
arm as quickly as possible five steamships for
purposes Of defense. | directed the com
mandaut at y. \. to purchase OF charter and
arm an equal number. | directed, the com
mandant Of the navy yard at PhuIdslphIa to
purchase or charter and arm an Equal num-
Der tor the same purpose. | directed Com.
ellis to purchase or charter and arm and
put 10 sea two other vessels. Similar dire
tons vera given TO Commodore Dupont with
q view TO the opening Of passage by water TO
and from the capital. / directed the several
officers to take the advice and obtain the aid
and efficient services in the matter. of lis
ExcellencY, Edwin D Morgan, the Governor
Of New York. Ut, in his absence, George d.
Morgan, VIM. VI. Evarts, r. NJ. Blatcbford,
and Moss ii. Grinnell. who were. by nv d.
r%ectOns, especially empowered by the Secre-
tary Of the Navy to act for h.s department
IN that crisis, in matters pertaining TO the
forwarding of troops a1d supplies for the
public defenses. % the same occasion d-
rected that Governor Morgan and Alexander
Cummings, of the city ct New York. shua.d
BE- Authorized by the Sscre.4ry IF War, 81.
mon Cameron, to make al Necessary arrange
meBts tor the transportation II troJps and
munitions of war in and and assistance
Of the officers Of TIE army of the United
States, until communication by mails and I
should be completely re-establish-
ed between the cities of Washington and
New York. No security was required to be
by them, and either Of them was au- :
to act, in case of inability to con-
with the other. On the same occasion
authO lied and directed tie Secretary If '
he Treasury 10 ADVANCE, without requiring ]
security. TWO millions 81 dollars OF public !,
non ' John 4. DIX, Gerge Opdyke and .
Nj. BlatchfOr. UI New York, 10 be L
'eed y them ~ meeting such acquisitions as 7
"Ouid be dIrectiy consequent upon the mill
AIRY and naval measures for the defence and
Import OF the government requiring them
to act without com pensatiOn, and re-
ort their transactions when duly called up CT
n. The several departments OF the govern K
lent at that time cont lined so large a num- al
er of dlsloyal persons, that it would have fl
cen impossible to provide safely. throu ga ri
agents only, for the performance of Il
le duties thus cOnfded TO citizens favora6ly q
nown for their ability, loyalty and patriot al
IN. The several orders, issued with these cl
1mmunications were transmitted by private it
lessengers, WIN pursued a c.rcuitous way to 70