Year: 1861

To his Excellency the Governor of the State

 of New York:

 SIR The present instruction had not even revea' ed itself in arms when dlsoyal citizens hastened to foreign countries to invoke their ill., ter.ention for the overthrow of the government and the destruction of the federal uuion.- These agents are known to have made their ap- peals to some of the moro important States without success. It is not likely, however, that they will remain content with such refu- sals. Indeed, it is understood that they are industriouslv endeavorlng to accomplish that disoyal purpose by degrees and by indirection.

 Taking advantage of the endorsements of agriculture, manufactures, and commerce in foreign countries, resulting from the iusurrec- ton they have inauguratcd at nome, they seek to involve our country in controversies with States with which every public interest of mankind require that 1t shall remain i'll rea- tions Of peace, am.y, and friendship.

 am able to state for your satisfaction that the prospect of any such disturbance Is now less serious than 1t has been at any previous period durin. the course of the lnsurrecton 1t is nevertheless Necessary TOW, as t has hitherto been, to take every precaution that IS possible to arrest the evils of a foreign war, to be superlnduced upon those of civil commoton which we are endeayorlng to cure. One .! 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 voluntarily incur danger in tempestuous seasons when 1t fails to show that t 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 k, fNr ,jonf hac jaI The President is putting forth the most dili- gent efforts to execute these measures, and we have the great satisfaction of seeing that these efforts, seconded by the favor aid, support of a loyal. patriotic, and sef-sacrfcing 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 meas ures, and did rot provide as amply as could be wished for the Notifications of our sea and lake coasts. In previous wars loyal States have ap- piled themselves by independent and separate activity to support and aid the federal govern ] ment in it's arduous responsibilities.

 The same disposition has been manifested in | degree eminentlv honorable by all the loyal States during the present instruction. 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 consideration to the subject Of the improvement and perfection of the detenses If the state over which you preside, and to ask you to submit the subjectto the consideration of | the legislature when 1t shall have asscmbiel.- Such proceedings by the State would require | only a tempory use ot its means.

 The expenditures ought to be made the sub ! iecl of conference with the federal government. 1 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 provide for | its reimbursement.

 Should these suggestions he accepted, the

 President will direct the proper agents ot the federal government to confer with you, and to suparntend, direct, and conduct the prosecution of the system Of the defense of your state.

 have the honor to be your o5edient servant, WI. II. SEWARD, Secretary of State.