Letter from Wisconsin Governor Alexander W. Randall to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; January 21, 1861

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Letter from Wisconsin Governor Alexander W. Randall to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; January 21, 1861

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Each transcribed document contains links that connect it to other documents on the same topic in the collection.

People

Cobb, Amasa, 1823-1905 Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 Noble, Butler G.Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Randall, Alexander Williams, 1819-1872

Events

Crime Crime--Treason Military Engagements Military Engagements--Fort Sumter, Siege of, Charleston, S.C., 1861 Secession. American Civil War

Organizations

Mississippi--Legislature Post offices Wisconsin--Executive Department Wisconsin--Legislature. House Wisconsin--Legislature. Senate

Businesses

Customhouses

Occupations

Judges Legislators

Places

Alabama Delaware Georgia Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Military Forts--South Carolina. Fort Sumter Mississippi--Madison County. Madison Missouri New York North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee Virginia Wisconsin

Social Identifiers

Unionists (United States Civil War)

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[seal]

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
Madison, Wis., January 21, 1861.

To His Excellency,
John J. Pettus
Gov of Mississippi

Sir:

I have the honor to transmit, herewith, by request of the Legislature of this State, a copy of Joint Resolutions, which have passed both Houses by a unanimous vote, pledging the co=oper=ation of Wisconsin in defence and preservation of the Union.

Yours very Respectfully,

ALEX W. RANDALL.

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[seal]

Joint Resolutions,

Co-operating with friends of the Union throughout the United States—

Resolved, by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, That the peo=ple of Wisconsin are ready to co=operate with the friends of the Union everywhere for its preservation, to yield a cheerful obedience to its requirements, and demand a like obedience from all others; and there=fore adopt, as the sentiments of this Legislature, the Preamble and Re=solutions of the State of New York, as follows:

Where as, The insurgent State of South Carolina, after siezing the Post Office, Custom House, moneys and fortifications of the Federal Government, has, by firing into a vessel ordered by the Government to convey troops and provisions to Fort Sumpter, virtually declared war ; and

Whereas, The Forts and property of the United States Govern=ment in Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana have been unlawfully seized with hostile intentions; and

Whereas, Treason, as defined by the Constitution of the United States, exists in one or more of the States of the Union; and

Whereas, further, Senators and Congressmen avow and maintain these treasonable acts; therefore

Resolved, by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, That the

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Legislature of Wisconsin, profoundly impressed with the value of Union, and determined to preserve it unimpaired, hail with joy the recent firm, dignified and patriotic Special Message of the President of the United States, that we tender to him, through the Chief Magistrate of our own State, whatever aid in men and money may be required to enable him to enforce the laws and uphold the authority of the Federal Government, and in defence of the more perfect Union, which has con=ferred prosperity and happiness on the American People. Renewing the pledge given and redeemed by our Fathers, we are ready to devote our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honors, in upholding the Union and the Constitution.

Resolved, by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, that the Union loving Citizens of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee, who labor with devoted courage and patriotism to withhold their States from the vortex of secession, are entitled to the gratitude and admiration of the whole people.

Resolved, by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, that the Gov=ernor be respectfully requested to forward forthwith copies of the foregoing Resolutions to the President of the Nation, and the Governors of all the States of the Union.

Amasa Cobb,
Speaker of the Assembly.
Butler G. Noble,
Lieut. Governor and President of the Senate.

Approved January 21st, A. D. 1861,
Alex. W. Randall.

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Wisconsin Resolution