RALEIGH, N. C., April 15, 1861.
Hon. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War:
Your dispatch1 is received, and if genuine, which its extraordinary character leads me to doubt, I have to say in reply that I regard the levy of troops made by the administration for the purpose of subjugating the States of the South as in violation of the Constitution and a gross usurpation of power. I can be no party to this wicked violation of the laws of the country, and to this war upon the liberties of a free people. You can get no troops from North Carolina. I will reply more in detail when your call is received by mail.
JOHN W. ELLIS,
Governor of North Carolina.
- Lincoln’s proclamation calling out the militia.