Year: 1861

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,


Washington, Oct Ia 1851.
To lis ErceUency, tie Governor of tie


State of New York i:


SIR: The present iusurrection had not
even revealed itself in arms. when disloyal
citizens FASTENED to foreign countries TO
awake their Intervention for the overthrow
of the Government and the destruction Of
the Federal Union. These agents are
known TO have made their appeals to some
of the more important States without sue
cess. 1t is not likely, however, that they
will remain content with such refusals
Indeed, it is understood that they are in.
dustriously endeavoring to accomplish
their disloyal purposes by degrees and by
indirection. Taking advantage Of the en-
barrassments of agriculture and manufac-
tIre and commerce it, foreign countries,
resulting from the insurrecton they have
inangurated at home, they seek to involve
our common country in controversies
with States. with which every public in.
terest and every interest Of mankind re-
quire that it shall remain in relations Of
peace, amity and friendship. l am able 20
state. for yo:r satisfaction, that tie pros
pect for any such disturbance is now less
serious than it has been at any previous
period during the course of the insurrec-
ton. 1t is, nevertheless. necessary now,
as it has hitherto been, to take every pre-
caution that is possible to avoid the evils
Of foreign war. to be superinduced upon
those of civil commotion, which we are
endeavorIng to cure.


One Of the most obvious Of such pre-
cautions is that our ports and harbors on
the seas and lakes should be put in posi-
ton of complete defense. for any nation
may be said to voluntary incur danger in
tempestuous seasons when it fails to show
that it has sheltered itself on every side
from which the storm might possibly
come


The measures which the Executive can
adopt in this emergency are such only as
Congress has sanctioned, and for which
it has provided.


The President is putting forth the mcst
diligent efforts to execute these measures
and we have the great satisfaction OF
seeing that these efforts seconded by the
favor, aid and support of loyal, patriotic
and selfs sacrificing people are rapidly
bringing the military and naval forces OF
the United States into the highest state OF
efficiency. But Congress was chiefly
absorbed during its recent extra session
with these measures and did not provide
as amply as would be wished for the forti-
ication Of the sea and lake coasts. In
previous wars the loyal States have ap-
piled themselves by independent and
separate activity to the support and aid OF
the Federal Government. in lis arduous
responsibilities. The same disposition
has been manifested in degree emnently
honorable by all the loyal States during
the bresen: insurrection. In view OF this
fact and relying upon the increase and
continuance of thc same disposition on the
part Of the loyal States. the President has
directed me to invite your consideration
to the subject of the Improvement and
perfection Of the defenses Of the State
over which you preside, and to ask YOU To
submit the subject to the consideration of
the Legislature, when it shall have as
sembled. Such proceedings by the State
would require only temporary use of It's
means. The expenditures ought to be
made the subject Of conference with the
Federal Government. Being thus made
with the concurrence OF the Government
for general defense, there is every reason
to believe that Congress would sanction
what the State should do, and would pro-
vide for its reimbursement Should these
suggestions be accepted. the President will
direct the proper agents Of the Federal
Government to confer with you, aud to
superntend. direct and conduct the prose
cution of the system OF defense of your
State.


/ Lave the honor To be, sir,


Your obedient ser'vt.


WM. III. SEWARD.