Year: 1861

more promptly than Iowa. Thousands
of her sons are now in the field ready
and eager to peril their lives in de-
fence of their country. The base
treachery of some of the sworn SER
wants of the Government during the
Administration of Mr.. Buchanan had
so disorganized our Government that
when the call was made for troops,
the Administration was wholly unable
to clothc and equip them in proper
time, and it became necessary for the
States furnishing troops to furnish al
so clothing and equipments. Of fcoursc
these States were compelled to and
did incur expenses larger or smaller
in proportion to the troops called for
and clothing and equipments furnished
by each.


To meet the expenses thus incurred,
and other expenses that might be in
Cured, the General Assembly, in ex-
ira session, provided by law for the
sale of bonds of the State In accor-
dance with that law, the bonds were
advertised for sale in the city of New
York. Immediately after such advcr-
tisement, certain parties in the city
New York, and, as l have reason to
believe, certain parties in this State,
combined together to depreciate the
value of the bonds, for the purpose
either of wholly preventing their sale
or compelling their sale at low rates.
The means by which they sought to
effect this end was, to declare that
the bonds were unconstitutionalIy is
sued, that the General Assembly of
the State had been guilty of gross
fraud in authorizing their issues, and
that the people of Iowa were SO base
and dishonest that they would here
after repudiate the bonds that might
be sold. Whether the motives of
these parties in publishing these cal
umnics, and thereby seeking to dis
credit the bonds was to render the
State unable to do her part in the
struggle now going on for the prescr-
walton of the Union, and to that ex-
tent strengthen the hands of treason
and rebellion, or to crafty feeling
Of revenge for some real or supposed


wrong inflicted by some portion of


our people, or to enable the parties to
buy up the bonds thus discredited by
their own efforts, at ruinously low
rates-is not now q question of prac-
teal Importance. 1t is sufficient for
us to know that they have been un-
successful, and that our bonds remain
unsold.


This position of affairs is to me
very annoying and perplexing. Re-
lying upon the anticipated sales of
these bonds. and carrying out your
well known and clearly expressed
wishes, | have incurred large expenses
in enrolling, subsisting and clothing
the brave men who are now in the
field for the defence of the flag We all
love SO well. These expenses are
wholly unpaid. In some instances the
money is due directly to the persons
who have furnished the articles need
ed, and in others, to persons who have
generously advanced the money to
meet pressing necessities. What rem
ders this situation of affairs particu-
larly unpleasant to myself individual
ly, is the fact that it has been and is
made q matter of serious complaint
by many Of you, that have been too
backward in expending the money of
the State, while at the same time |
was and still am unable to meet the
pressing demands upon me for expen.
ses already incurred.


Muchcomplaint was made that our
first three regiments were not clothed
as soon as they should have been.
They were clothed as soon as it could
be done and to-day that clothing,
worn by your sons and brothers, is
unpaid for, while the person who fur
nished it is suffering for his pay.
Complaint was also made that the
money due by the State to our soldiers
was not paid to them promptly. Be-
fore it could be paid to them it had to
he borrowed. 1t was borrowed upon
the responsibility of individuals and,
to-day, these individuals are liable for,
or have paid, the moneys, thus paid to
your soldiers. The expenses incurred
in the various counties, for subsisting
companies, and transporting them to
the place Of rendezvous, has been paid
by borrowing, and is due to the lem
ders, or is yet due to the persons who
furnished the subsistence and trans.
portation. At keokuk certain patri-
otic individuals purchased large
amount of produce for the use of the
State, giving their obligations there
for. l have not had the means to pay
the debt thus incurred, and these par
ties have either had to pay it or go to
protest In short the entire amount
Of the expenses thus far incurred, to
enable the State of Iowa to do her
share in the momentous struggle now
going on for the preservation of the
Union, is unpaid, and the parties to
whom it is due are pressing for pay
ment. Further expenses will necessa-
rily be incurred. | am instructed to
buy arms for the protection Of our
Southern and Western frontiers, but |
am unable to do so for want Of means.
| anticipate further requisition on this
State for troops, which must be met.


And now, men Of Iowa, under these
circumstances appeal to you for aid
and assistance. Your bonds cannot
be sold abroad. They must either be
sold at home or the State must suffer
the disgrace, not only of failing to do
her duty for the future, but of failing
to pay the expenses already incurred.
May not confidently trust that every
citizen of Iowa will feel that his own
good name, as well as the good name
of the State, is involved in this mat
ter, and that l will have his hearty
and effectual aid? May not espe-
cially trust that those of you who per-
haps without knowing the difficulties