Beriah Magoffin, Note

Accession Number

KYR-0001-016-0001

Document Genre

Journal

Repository

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

Collection

Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Messages to the General Assembly, 1859-1861

Item Location

MG2-18 to MG2-19

Date of Creation

2 October 1861

Dates Mentioned

1861-10-02

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I have signed the ~~Bill~~Act of the Legislature "To prohibit & prevent rebellion" &c" with great reluctance and many doubts as to its Constitutionality, and only after receiving the following opinion from the Atto General — To-wit (here insert it) although the policy of this bill seems to be cruel & barbarous, inflicting such punishment for an honest difference of political opinions, it will be preferable for offenders to be tried under the laws of the state, and by a Jury of the view as composed of thiseir neighbors, than toby the laws of the government under a charge of treason. The laws reorganizing the Military Board and authorizing the borrowing of vast sums of money" received my signature with great hesitation, because of the dangerous powers
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confered upon the Board without responsibility & without requiring security for the faithful disbursement of the money ^and performance of of duty^ ~~[...]~~The state will become bankrupt and demoralized by such a policy ~~and~~ ^The Legislature fresh from the people and overwhelmingly differed with me^ could I have arrested it by a veto, notwithstanding the opinion of the Atto General, which is as follows to wit (here insert it) ^(marked N^o 2)^ — I would have with held my sanction to the bill.

B. Magoffin —

Reasons —
Stated for signing certain Acts of Gen^l Assembly
Entered in Ex= Journal
Octo 2^d 1861

Ja^s W Tate
Asst. Secy

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