MESSAGE OF HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOUR GRISWOLD, TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AT THEIR SPECIAL SESSION, AUGUST 25, 1812. With the Documents accompanying the same.
New-Haven [Connecticut]: Printed by Walter & Steele, 1812. First Edition (& 1st printing). Printed self-wraps. Condition: Very Good. First Edition. pp: 22, (2) blanks. Disbound, few pages loose but complete. Very scarce. Item #313849
¶ The people of Connecticut were in large part opposed to the War of 1812. Governor Griswold, who served in office during 1811 and 1812, had advocated earlier that New England secede from the Union. Griswold here calls Congress's act to detach one hundred thousand militia for the service of the United States and the 3,000 men from the state of Connecticut unconstitutional, as the Constitution of the United States authorises the President to call into service the militia "to repel invasions, supress insurrections, and to aid in the execution of the laws" and that it was his and many others opinion that as the War was not to protect the frontier but rather to *expand* it, the militia could not be engaged. He later refers to the General Government's "unhappy disposition to enlarge our extended frontier by new conquests". He appeals to the Council to form State troops to protect the State of Connecticut and their shoreline. Griswold argues that the federal government had no right to take over and deploy the Connecticut state militia against the British, an argument that he lost. This is, however, a timely argument.
Price (CAD): $75.00