Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-06-05
MESSAGE BY THE PRESIDENT.

T. ~
ue""e"'e' q "e oeao'e ana Ho"Se% hepfe-
Sentdtices:
The insurrection which is vet existing in the
United States, and aims at the overthrow of
the federal constitution and the Union, was
clandestinely prepared during the winter of
1860 and 1861, and assumed an open organiza.
ton in the form of a treasonable provisional
government at Montgomery, Alabama, on the
18th day of February 1861. On the 9Th day
of April 1861, the insurgents committed the
fragrant act of civil war, bv the bombariment
and capture of Fort Sumter, which cut off the
hope of immediate Cancellation. Imm ,diatply
afterwards all the roads and .enues TO this
city were obstructed. and the capital was nut
into the condition of. n siege. The moils in
every direction were stopped. and the lines of
telegraph cut off bv the insurgents. and mit-
airy and naval forces which had been called out
by the government for the defense of Wash
ington. were prevented from reaching the CITY
by organized and combined trensouable res;s-
tance in the state of MARYLAND. There was no
adequate and effective organization for tbe nub
lis defense. Congress had indefinitely adjourn
ed. There was no time to convene them. and
it became necessary for me to choose whether.
using only the existing means, agencies and
processes which Congress bad provided. |
should let the government fall into ruin. or
conferred by the constitution in cases Of insur-
recton would make an effort to save it with
all its blessings for the present aye and for pos
terity.
| therefore summoned my constitutional adj
visers, the heads of all the departments, to moet
on Sunday, the Doth day of April, 1861, at the
office Of the navy department. and then and
there, with their unanimous concurrence, | di-
rected that an armed revenue cutter should pro-
ceed to sea to afford protection TO the CONNER
cial marine, especially to the California treasure
ships then or their way to this coast. / also
directed the commandant of the navy yard at
Boston to purchase or charter and arm as
quickly as possible five steamships for purposes
OF public defense. directed the commandant
of the navy yard at Philadelphia to purchase or
charter and arm an equal number for the same
purpose. L directed the commandant at New
York to purchase or charter and arm an equal
number. l directed Commander ellis to pur-
cnase or charter. and arm and put to sea. two
other vessels. Similar directions were given
to Commodore Dupont, with a view to the open-
ing of passages by water to and from the capi-
tai. | directed the several officers to take the
advice, and obtain the aid and efficient services
in the matter. of his exceIlency, Edwin d. Nor
gan, the governor OF New York, or, in his alb
sence George d. Morgan, William NJ. Everts.
r. NJ Blatchford. and Moses II. Grinnell, who
were by nv direction especially empowered by
the secretary of the nav TO act for his depart-
ment in that crisis. IN matters pcrtaininr to the
forwarding of troops and supplies for the pub-
lie defense. On the same occasion directed
that Gov MORGAN and Alexander Cummings. of
the city of New York. should be authorized bv
the secretary of war. Simon Cameron. to make
all necessary ARRANGEMENTS for the transporta
ton of troops and munitions of war. in aid and
ted States. until communication by mails and
telegram should he COMPLETELY re-established
between the cities of WASHINGTON and New
York. No securitv was reouired to he given
by them. and either of them was authorized to
ACT in ease of inability TO consult with the other
On the same occasion I authorize and di
rected the secretary of the treasury TO advance.
without reouirinp security. two millions of dol
lars of public money to John 4. Dix, George
Opdyke ana hicharu NJ DatchioEd oi New
YORK, to be used by them IN meeting such re-
QUESTIONS as should be directly consequent upon
the military and naval measures for the defense
and sunror, of tho c,ovornr,ort roou' ,i,, tbep,
P. ~ Wv o. ~ ~ 70 80 80.
''? " "'' "t'"""' S''' '''" 80 nv
thelf transactions when uuly calleu upon Inc
several departments OF the government at that
time contained so large a number of diSloyal
,,orso,,s tha, !, Ill horo hoo,, ;,,oseilJa 70
Peiocu0' truv IL ~" ~" ~
''' ' 2"
citizpns favoroblv known for their ability laval
80 and natrio,;s;r Tha several order: ;sS;,ad
nnon ,besn occurrences were transmitted by
nr;yate messcngers who nursucd n circui,ons
wov r. the seohoord cities. inland across the
states Of PennsyIyonia nnd Ohio and The north.
ern lokes and believe that by these ond ,bnr
s;n,ilar measures taken in that crisis Soma of
which were without anv outhority Of lnw tha
"nyernment WAS saved from ovcrihrow I am
5ot aware thar = dollar of tbc ruhlic finds tbns
"orfdon ;,hout "' aW,hor;,y nf oW ~ mn"G;aI
ucrsons ] was c;,ber LOST or wasted nI,bom@h
pnnrrhnrsions Of such misdirrctons occnrreI
,d me 40 oh;nct;ors to these extroordinarv nro.
ooeJ;nHs on2 ,ynre necessnrilv overr,,ioI ro-
chi t[ese transactions now because NV ot,en-