The national Republican., 1862-05-28

hnce IN INC otato OF MarylnnO. Inero Wos no
adequate and effective organization for the
pubic defence; Congress had indefinitely ad.
journed. There was no time 10 convene them.
II became necessary for me 10 choose whether,
using only the existing means, and agencies
aud processes which Congress had provided,
should let the Government fall at once into
ruin; or whether, availlng myself Of the broader
powers conferred by the Constitution in cases oi
insurrection, I would make an effort 70 save Il
with all its blessings for the present age and
for posterity.
l thereupon summoned my constitutional
advisers, the heads of oil the Departments 10
meet on Sunday, the 2Oth day Of April, 1861,
at the once Of the Navy Department, and then
and there, with their unanimous concurrence,
directed that an armed revenue cutter should
proceed to sea, to AFFORD protection 70 the com
merclal marine, and especially the California
alfo directed the commandant of the navy
yard at Boston " purchase or charter, and
arm a. quickly as possible five steam,hips, for
the purpose Of public defence.
directed the commandant at 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 u
purchase or charter and arm an equal number.
directed Commander Gillis 10 purchase Or
charter and arm and put TO sea two other YES
sels.
Similar drec ions were given to Commodore
Dupont, with view to the opening Of passages
by water 10 and from the capital.
l directed the several officers to take the ad-
vice and obtain the aid and efficient services In
the matter Of his excellency, Edward D. Nor
sence, George D. Morgan, William n. EvarS.
R. N. Blatchford, and Noses H. Grinnell, who
were, by my direction, especially empowered
by the Secretary Of the Navy to act for biz
Department iu that crisis, In matters pertaining
to the forwarding Of troops and supplies for the
public defence.
On the same occasion. directed that Gov
Morgan aud Alexander Cummings, of the city
VI New York, should be au ihoIized by the Scc
retary Of War, Simon Cameron, to make all
necessary arrangements for the transportation
lof troops and munitions Of war, In aid and as-
setance of tBe officers Qflbo army Of the United
SAtes, until communicatlou by mails and tele-
graph should be completely rcGstablished be
tweep the cities Of Washington and New York
| Nosecurity was required TO be given by them
and either Of them was authorized 10 act, II
case oAinability 10 consult with the other.
On he same occasion, l authorized aud di,
rec!ed ths Secretary Of tie Treasury 10 advance
without requiring security, two millions Of dol
.ars Of public money to John A. Dix, Georg,
Opdykc, and Richard NJ. Biaicaford, Of New
York, to be used by them ID meeting such re.
quistions as should be directly consequent upor
| the military and naval m asures u, cessary fol
the defence and support Of the Government
requiring only TO act without compensation
aud to report their transactions when dul,
called upon.
The several Departments Of the Governmcn
at that time CO Itained SO large number o
dieloyal persons, that II would have been i'm
possible TO provide safely, through ,fficis
agents only, for the performance Of the dutiei
thus confded to citizens favorsbly known fol
their ability, loyalty, and patriotism.
The several orders Issued upon these occur
rences were. transmitted by private messen
gers, who pursued a circuitOus way 70 ths
seaboard cities, inland, across the States o.
Pennsylvania and Ohio, and the Northern lakes
| believe that by these and other simiia
measures taken in that crisis, some Of which
we're without any authority Of law, the Govern
ment was saved from overthrow.
am not aware that sirgle dollar Of th,
public funds thus confded, without authority
OF law. 10 unofficial persons, was eithe, los
or wasted, slth, ugh apprehensious Of such mis-
dir, ction occurred to me 81 objections 10 thos,
extraordinary proceedings, and were necessa
rily overruled.
| recall these transactions now, because M
attention has been directed TO . resolution
which was passed by the House of Represent
aives on the 3Oth day Of last month, which i
In these words:
"Resolued, That Simon Cameron, late Score
tary Of War, by Investing Alexander Cumming
with the control Of large sums Of the publ
money, and authority to purchase militar.
supplies, without restriction, without requir
ing from him any guarantee for the faiihfu
performance Of his duties, where the service
| OF competent public oficers were available
and by involving the Government in va.
number Of contracts with persons not legi,i
matsly engaged in the BUSINESS pertaining I
subject matter OF such contract Is, especially 4
the purchase If arms for future delivery, ha
adopted pslicy highly injurious to the publ
service, and deserves the censure or thi
House,"
Congress will see that should be wantin
equally In candor and In Justice II shoul
leave the censure expressed In this resolutio
to rest exclusively or chiefly upon Mr.. Cant
ron.
: The same sentiment is unanimously entel
tained by the heads Of Departments who par
ticipated In the proceedings which the Hous
| of Representatives has censured.
It is due to Mr.. Cameron to say that althoug
he fully approved the proceedings, they wei
not moved nor suggested by himself, and th,
not only the Prs dent, but all the other heal
Of Departments were at least equally respons
BILE for whatever error, wrong, or fault vi
committed In the premises
:. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Il Washington, May 26, 1862.