Year: 1861




larlhas been addressed to Governor,
Of all the States on the seSboard anC
lakes:, - ,v V u
+ DEPARTMENT OF STATE,


% WAsHIEeroN, Oct. II. 1855
To HIS Ezeellsney, tie Governor eth
.Stote o.:


SrR: The present insurrection had
not even revealed itself in arms wher
disloyal citizens hastened 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 success.
Il 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 indireetion. Taking advantage Of
the embarrassment Of agriculture and
manufacture and commerce in foreign
countries. resulting from the iosurrec-
tion they have inaugurated at home,
they seek to involve our common
country in controversies with States,
with which every public interest and
every interest OF mankind require that
it shall remain in relations of peace,
amity, and friendship. I am able TO
state, for your satisfaction, that the
prospect for any such disturbance is
now less serious than il has been at
any previous period during the course
OF the insurrecIion. 1t is. nevertheless,
necessary now. as it has hitherto been,
TO take every precauIion that is pos
sible TO avoid the evils of foreign war.
to be superinduced upon those Of civil
commotions, which we are endeavoring
to cure.


One Of the most obvious Of such pre-
cautions is that our ports and barbors
on the seas ard lakes should be put in
a condition of complete defence; for
any nation may be said to voluntarily
incur danger in tempestuous seasons
when it fails to show that it has shelter
ed 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





measures, and we have the great satis-
faction Of seeing that these efforts, Sc
conded by the favor, aid. and support,
Of loyal, patriotic. and self-sseri6cing
people. are rapidly bringing the military
Fand naval<Fesces of the United States
into the highest state Of efficiency. But
Congress was chiefly absorbed during
its recent extra session with these mea-
sures and did not provide as amply
as could be wished for the forti6cstion
Of the sea and lake coast. In previous
wars the loyal States have applied
themselves by independent and sep
crate activity to the support and aid Of
the Federal Government in its arduous
responsibilities. The same disposition
has been manifested in degree emil
nently honorable by all the loyal States
during the present insurrection.


In view OF this fact, and relying up
on the increase and continuance Of the
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 perfec-
ton of the defences Of the State over
which you preside. and TO ask you to
submit the subject to the consideration
of the Legislature when i. shall have
assembled. Such proceedings by the
State would require only a temporary
use Of its means. The expenditures
ought to be made the subject Of con-
ference with the Federal Government.
Being thus made with the concurrence OF
the Government for general defence,
there is every reason to believe that
Congress would sanction what the
State should do, and provide for its
reimbursement. Should these sugges-
tions 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 defence Of
your State.


/ have the honor to be, Sir, vour obe-
dient servant. WIN. H. SEWARD.