Year: 1861




Ports.


Our readers will remember that 10 one
of the Eastern dispatches, received week
or more ago, reference was made 10 err
cular of Secretary Seward, Issued from the
State Department. 1t was stated lbat The
circular caused a depreciation OF Two or
three per cent in United States stocks, but
no allusion was made to the contents Oh 'he
document. The Sacramento Bee, oil
Wednesday, publishes the circular, having
received it by Pony Express. 1t was ad
dressed to the Governors Of all the States
on the sea coast and lakes, and asst refers to
a matter Of great Importance to California
we give the document entire:


DEPARTMENT OF STATE,


Washington, October IA, 1861.
To His Excellency, the Governor Of the State
SrR: The present insurrection had not even
revealed itself in arms, when disloyal citizens
hastened to foreign countries to invoke their
Intervention for the overthrow of the Govern
ment, and the destruction Of the National Un-
ion. These agents are known to have MADE
their appeals to some of the more important
States without success. 1t is not likely, how
over that they will remain content with such
reflsals. Indeed it is understood that they are
industriously endeavoring to accomplish their
disloyal purposes by degrees and by indlrec'
ton. Taking the advantage Of the embarrass-
ments of agriculture, manufactures and COM
merce in foreign countries, resulting from the
insurrection they have inaugurated at nome,
they seek to involve our common country In
controversies with States with which every
public interest of mankind require that 1t shall
remain in relations of peace and friendship.
am able to state for your satisfaction that the
prospect for any such disturbance is now less
serious than it has been at any previous period
during the course Of the insurrection. 1t IS
nevertheless necessary now, as it has hitherto
been, to take every precaution that is possible
to avoid the evils Of foreign war, to be superln-
duced upon those Of civil commotion, which
we are endeavoring to cure.


One of the most obvious Of such precautions
Is, that our ports and harbors on the seas and
lakes should be put in a condition Of complete
defense, for any nation may be said to yolunta-
rily incur danger in tempestuous seasons
when it fails to show that it has sheltered itself
on every side from which the storm might pos
sibly 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 most dill
gent efforts to execute these measures, and we
have the great satisfaction of seeing that these
efforts are seconded by the favor, aid and support
of loyal, patriotic and self-sacrificing people,
and are rapidly bringing the military and ma
val 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 could be wished for the fortifcation Of our
sea and lake coasts. In previous wars, the 10y
al States have applied themselves, by indepen-
dent and separate activity, to the support and
aid OF the Federal Government in its arduous
responsibilities. The same disposition has
been manifested in degree eminently honora-
BILE by all the loyal States during the present
insurrection. In view Of this fact, and relying
upon the increase and continuance of the same
disposition on the part of the loyal States, the
President has directed me to invite your con-
sideration to the subject of the improvement OF
the defenses of the State over which you pre-
side, and to ask you to submit the subject to the
consider alton of the Legislature, when it shall
be assembled. Such proceedings by the State
would require only temporary use OF its means.
The expenditures ought to be made the SUBJ
iect of conference with the Federal Govern
ment. 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 would do, and would
provide for its reimbursement.


Should these suggestions be accepted, the
President will direct the proper agents Of the
Federal Government to confer with you, and to
superintend, direct and conduct the prosecution
Of the system of defense of your State.


have the honor to be, sir, your obedient


servant,


WILLIAM H. SEWARD.