Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-06-04
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
The following Message from the President,
was laid before both Houses Of Congress, on
Wednesday the 2Sth May, 1862,
Washington, May 26, 1862
To The Senate and House of Representatives.
The insurrection which is yet existing in the
United States, and aims at the overthrow of
the Federal Constitution and the Union, was
clandestnelv prepared during the winter of
1860 and 1861 and assumed an open organiza-
tion In the form OF a reasonable provisional
government at Montgomery, in Alabama, on
the 18th day of February, 1861. On the 18th
day of April, 1861, the insurgents committed
the fragrant act of civil war by the lombard
ment and capture OF Fort Sumter, which cut
off the hope of immediate Cancellation.
Immediately afterward all the roads and ave-
nues to this city were obstructed, and the
capital was put into the condition of siege.
The mails in every direction were stopped and
the lines OF telegraph cut off by the insurgents,
and military and naval forces which had been
called out by the Government for the defence
of ashington were prevented from reaching
the city by organized and combined treasona-
BILE resistance in the State of Maryland There
was no adequate and effective organization
for the public defence. Congess had ndef-
nately adjourned. There was no time to con-
vene them.
1t became necessary for me to choose wheth-
er, using only the existing means, agencies,
and processes which Congress had prov ided, |
should let the Government fall at once into
ruin, or whether, availing myself of the broad
er powers conferred by the Constitution in
case of insurrecton, | would make an effort to
save il with all its blessings for the present
age and for posterty. 1 thereupon summon
ed my constitutional advisers, the Heads of
all the Departments, to meet on Sunday, the
goth day Of April, 1861, at the office of the
Navy Department, and then and there, with
their unanimous concurrence, l directed that
an armed revenue-cutter should proceed to
sea to afford protection to the commercial
marine, and especially the California treasure
ships, then on their way to this coast. 1 also
directed the commandant of the navy yard at
Boston to purchase or charter, and arm, as
quickly possible, five steamships for pur.
poses Of public defence. l directed the COM
mandant of the navy yard at Philadelphia to
purchase or charter, and arm an equal number
for the same purposes. ! directed the CON-
| mandant at New York to purchase or charter
and arm an equal number. i directed com
mandant Gills to purchase or charter and arm,
and put to sea two other vessels Similar di-
rections were given to Commodore Dupont,
with a view to the opening OF passages by wat
| er to and from the capital | directed the
| several officers to take the advice, and obtain
| the aid and efficient services in the matter, OF
his Excellency Edwin ID. Morgan, the Cover
| nor of New York, Or in his absence, George
| ID. Morgan, VIM. NJ. Evarts, r. NJ. Blatchford !,
| and Moses III. Grinnell, who were, by my di-
| rections, especially empowered by the Secre-
tary 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
defence. On the occasion | directed
| that Gov Morgan and Alexander Cummings,
of the city of New York, should be authori-
zed by the Secretary of war, General Came
| ron, to make all the necessary arrangements
for the transportation of troops and munitions
| of war in aid and assistance of the officers of
the army of the United States until commun-
cation by mails and telegraph should be COM
| pletely reestabshed between the cities of
| Washington and New York. No security was
required to be given by them, and either of
| them was authorized to act in case of inabil-
ty to consult with the other. On the same oc-
casion l authorized and directed the Secreta.
| ry of the Treasury to advance, without requ-
ring security, two millions of public money to
| John A. Dix, George Opdyke, and Richard
M. Blatchford, of New York, to be used by
them IN meeting such acquisitions as should
| be directly consequent upon the military and
naval measures necessary for the defence and
support of the Government. requiring them
only to act without compensation and to re-
port their transactions when duly called upon.
The several departments of the Government
at that time contained so large number of
disloyal persons, that it would have been i'm
pOSSlOie SaIely, through OtiClai agents only ,IOr
| the performance of the duties thus eonfded to
| citizens favorably known for their ability. 10y
atty, and patriotism. The several orders issu-
| ed upon these occurrences were transmitted
| by private messengers who pursued a circui-
| tous way TO the seaboard cities inland across
the State of Pennsylvania and Ohio and the
Northern lakes. | believe that, by these and
other similar measures taken in that crisis,
some of which were without any authority of
law, the Government was saved from over
! throw. l am not aware that a dollar of the
public funds thus conffded, without authority
of law, to unofficial persons, was either lost or
wasted. although apprehensions of such misdi-
rection occurred to me as objections to those
extraordinary proceedings, and were necessa-
rily overruled.
recall these transactions now because my
attention has been directed to resolution
| that was passed by the House of Representa-
tiyes on the 30th Of last month, which is in
| these words:
"Resoiped, That Simon Cameron late Secre-