Beriah Magoffin, Note
1861-10-02
- Date of Creation
- October 2, 1861
- 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
- Box / Folder
- MG2-18 to MG2-19
- CWGK Accession Number
- KYR-0001-016-0001
- Rights
- This image and its transcription are freely available to the public. Images appear courtesy of Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Transcriptions and annotations were created by Kentucky Historical Society staff, volunteers, and interns. When referencing this document, please use our preferred citation.; The use of transcriptions, images, or annotations from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce any material on CWGK is required.
- FTP Identifier
- 32207271
The Civil War Governors of Kentucky editors are working on annotations for this document. Check back to explore the people, places, organizations mentioned in this document.
- Dates
- 1861-10-02
Citation
Beriah Magoffin, Note, 1861-10-02, Office of the Governor, Beriah Magoffin: Governor's Official Correspondence File, Messages to the General Assembly, 1859-1861, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Accessed via the Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition, https://discovery.civilwargovernors.org/document/KYR-0001-016-0001 (November 14, 2026).
1
I have signed the BillAct 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
2
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 No 2)^ — I would have with held my sanction to the bill.
B. Magoffin —
Reasons —
Stated for signing certain Acts of Genl Assembly
Entered in Ex= Journal
Jas W Tate
Asst. Secy