Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-05-29

WAsHlnefox, Nav ~.
The Speo&0 Ias1 beesee Ne Heuee the fo,.
leving nee1sgs hoa tAs President % the See-
"Ths inssnsstios vhieh u W sxisti,e 4, u.
United States, ard ainsd q tAs oveIt6rov q
~ fedsral Consultation and Unioa vas clapdea-
timely prepared daring she winter Of 1850 and
1851, e1d assumed a open ssyalisstien In he
fern ef . tseasensbls provisional government st
1861. On the 18th day of April, 1851, The insuI.
gents committed the nagrant aos Of civil war BY
the bomSardment and capture Of Fsst Sumter,
which cut ef the hope VI immediate Cancellation:
Immediately Afterwards the roads and avenues
TO this city were obstfuo'sd and the Capi-
tal was pui into > condition Of . seige.
The mails in every direction were stopped, and
the lines of telegraph eut OF By the insarssnts,
And tAs military and naval forces which had been
called ont BY the Government for tho defence Of
Warrington were prevented from reaching tho
city By organisod and combined reasonable re-
sistancs in the State Of Maryland. There vas no
defence-Congress had inde6aitsiy adjoufned-
there was no time to convene then. 1t was me-
cessary for mo to choose, whether using only the
existing means, agencies and process which
Congress had provided, ! should lot the govern
msnt fall into rain, or whether, avsiling myself
Of the broader power conferred BY the Coas,itu.
tisn in cases Of insurrection, would make IN o.
tort to save it, with oil is blessings, for the pres
ent age and 70, posterity. thereupos assem-
bled my constitutional advisers, and the heads Of
all the Departments, to meet on Sunday, the 10th
day Of April, 1851, at the Office Of the Navy De-
partment, and then and there, with their uaani-
msus concurrence, directed that an armed Reve-
nue. Cutter should proceed to sea to afford protec-
tion to the commercial marine, and especially to
the California treasure ships then on their way to
this coast l also directed the commandant Of
the Navy Yard at Boston, to purch ase or char.
tor, and arm as quickly Is possible, i've
steamships, for purposes Of public defence.
Philadelphis 70 purchase or charter an equal
number for the Same purpose. ! directed tho
1t New York 70 purchase or eha,ter
and arm an equal number. directed Command
Or Giles to purchase or charter, arm AID put 70
sea two other vessels: Similar directions we're
opening Of passages by wafer to and from the
Capital. I directed the several officers to take
the sdvice and obtain the aid and Efficient service
in tho matter Of his Excellency, Edwin d. Msr-
gan, the Governor Of New York, a,d in his ab-
sence Geo D Morgan, Wn Evarts, X N Batchford,
especially empowered BY tho Secretary Of the
Navy to act for his department in that crisis, in
matters pertaining TO the forwarding Of
troops and supplies for the public defence.
On tho same occasion directed that Gov. Nor
gan and Alex Cummings, Of tho City Of New
I ork. should be authorised BY tho Secretary Of
War, Simon Cameron, to make ell the necessary
for the transportation Of troops and
munitions of war in aid and assistance Of the Of
6cers Of the United States until communication
by mail and telegraph should be completely re-
established between the cities Of Washington
Ind New York. No security was required TO DO
given by then, and either o. them were authorized
the other. On the same occasion ! auehor-
xed and directed the Sec'y of the Treasury to
advance without requiring security, seventy-two
millions Of dollars Of public money to John Dix,
George Opdykc and Richard N. Blatchfork Of n.
!, 70 b used By them Ia meeting such rsqsisition
. should 30 directly consequent upoa the mill
tary and naval measures for the defence and sup
port Of the government, requiring them only TO
Act without c0mpensatiOn, and to report their
transactions whed duly culled upon. The several
departments Of the government at that time con-
lainsd 80 large number Of disloysl pesrous that
Il would have been impossible TO provide safely
through ofioia agents only for the performance Of
Ehe duties thus conferred to eitisens faverably
known for their ability. Loyalty and patriotism.
The several orders lasue1 upon these occurrences
sses teassiefssd by psi!ate nsssengers, who
=. State. . .ad on
seotisut and the northern lakes. l believe that
by these and other similar measures, taken with.
mt the authority Of Law, the government was
'aved from overthrow. l Am not aware that
1oIl1f OF the public funds thus cOnnded without
authority Of Law TO unofficial persons, was either
ost or wasted, although approximations Of such
occurred to me objection to these
proceedings and were necessarily
recall these TRANSACTIONS now because
ny attention has been directed to . resolution
which Vas passed BY the House Of Representa-
ives, on the 30th Of last month, which 10 in these
words:
"Resolved, That Simon Cameron, late Secretary
of War, BY investing Alexander Cummings with
arge sumo Of public money and authority TO pur-
'hase military supplies without restriction, with
mt requiring Of him any guarantee for the faith
nj performance Of his duties, when the services
II competent officers we're availiabls, and BY in.
volvirg the government in . vast number Of con-
tracts, especially in the purchase Of arms for fu
'urs delivery, has adopted policy highly injuri-
,us to the public service, and deserves the cen.
|ure Of the House."
Congress will see that ! shsuld be wanting
equally in justi, - and candor ii I should leave
no ceDsure expressed in this resolution to rest ex-
,lusivsly and chiefly on Mr.. Cameron. The Same
Dentiment IL unaninously entertained BY the heads
4 the departments who participated in the pro-
,eedines which the House Of Representatives has
II 10 due to Mr. Cameron to Say, that
hough he fally approved Of The proceedings they
we're not moved or suggested by himself, and that
rot only the President, but that oil the other
heads Of Departments were at least equally re-
|ponsible for whatever error, wrong or fault was
in the premises:
n n