Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-05-28
special Message Of President Lincoln

SpcGlhA NSbaaBo VI EkeblWont LIuCClM
WAsHrNaTON, May 27.-The Speaker laid
before the House the following message from
the Pr, sident: ,.. - ..
To the Senate and House Of Representatives;
The insurreotion which is yet existing in th e
Unitsd States, and aimed az the overthrow OF
the Federal Constitution and Union, Was oau
dessiDely prepared during the winter of 1860
and 1861, and assumed an open organization in
the form Of o reasonable PfoyisIonal Govern.
ment at Montgomery, Alabama, on the 18Th
day Of February, 1861
On the 18th day OF April, 1861, the lnsurg-
ents committed the 6agrsnt acs OF civil war
by the bombsrdment and capture Of Fort Sum.
ter, which cut of the hope of immediate con-
oiliation. Immediately aiterward all the roads
and avenues to this city were obstructed, and
the Capital was put into q condition Of siege.
The mails in every direction were stopped, and
the line OF telegraph cut of by the ineurgents,
and military and naval forces which had been
called out BY the Government for the defense of
Washington, were prevented from resohing the
city by organized and combined treasonable re-
distance in the Ssate Of Maryland.
There was no adequate and effective organi.
cation for the public defense. Congress had In
definitely adjourned, and there was no time to
convene them. 1t became necessary for me to
choose whether, using only the existing means,
agencies and processes which Congress had pro
vlded, should les the Government fell into
ruin, or whether, availing myself Of the broad
or poWers conferred by the Constitution 10 cases
Of ipsurrecLion, would make an effort TO save
1t with all its blesslngs tor the present age and
for poeterity.
/ thereupon summoned my constitutional ad-
visers, the heads Of all the Departments, to
meet on Sunday, the 20th day OF April, 1861,
at the Office OF the Navy Department, and taen
and there, with their unanimous concurrence,
directed that an armed revenue cutter should
proceed TO sea, TO afford protection TO the COM
meIcial marine, specially to the California
treasure ships then on their way to this coast.
also directed the commaudant of the navy
yard at Boston to purchase or charter and arm
as quickly as possible, five steamships ior pur-
poses of public defense. / directed the com
mandant of the navy yard at Philadelphia 10
purchase or charter an equal number for the
Same purpose. directed the commAndant at
New York to purchase or chatter aud arm an
equal number. directed Commander Gillis TO
purchase or charter and arm and put to sea two
other vessels, l
Similar directions were given to Commander
Dupont, With view to the opening Of passages
by water to and from the Capital. g.. ..s
directed the several officers to tako the ad.
vice and obtain the aid and efficient services In
the matter, OF his Excellency Edwin D. Nor,
gan, the Governor OF New York, or In his ab.
sence, Geo. D. Morgan, VIM. Egerts, R. M,
Blatchiord and Moses Griunell, who were by
my direction especially empowered by the Sec.
rstary Of the Navy to act for his Department
in that crisis In matters pertaining to the for.
Warding OF troops and supplies for the public de-.
Tense. On the same occasion directed that
Gov. Morgan and Alexander Cummings, of tho
city of New York, should be authorized by the
Secretary of War, eimon Cameron, to make
all necessary arrangements for the transporta-
tion Of troops and munitions of war, In aid and
assistance Of the officers of the army of the
United States, until communication by mail and
telegraph should be completely re.essAblishsd
between the cities Of Washington and New
York. No security wss required to be given
by them, and either Of them was authorized to
act, In case Of inability to consult with the
other. Re- st-
On the same occasion authorised and di.
rected the Secretary Of the Treasury TO ad.
vance, without requiring security, two million
dollara Of public money TO John A. Dix, George
OpdJk Q and Richard N. Biatchford, OF New
York, to be used by them in meeting such requl.
sitions as should be directed BY consignment
upon military and naval measures for the de.
fense and support Of the Government, aud 70.
quiring them only to act without compensation,
and to report their transactions, when duly
called upon. stssf "a 5s,
he.sverAl Departments Of the Government
at thas time contained 60 large q number ot
disIoyal persons that itwouldN have been i'm.
/, possible 90 provide safely, through Official