The Express.
London, England, 1861-01-25 00:00:00

LONDON. FRIDAY . JANUARY 25, 1861,

THE lINITELi-STATtii:

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.
Wu have received New York papers to Jan. 11.
The leading feature of the news, a summary of
which appeared in our paper yesterday morning, is
the secession of three more states, Mississippi,
Florida, and Alabama.

On the Bth inst. the following manage front the
Prmideut was rend in the Senate :
Tithe Senate and House of Representatives:
At the opening of your present serial I called your at-
tenant to the dangers which threatened the existence of
the Union. I expressed my opinion freely concerning the
original causes of these dangers, and recommended such
measures a,, I believed would have the effect of tranquil-
lising the country, saving it from the peril in which it had
bees needlessly and most unfortunately thrown.
Those opinions and recommendations I do not propose
sow to repeat. My own convictions upon the whole subject
remain unch►nged. The fact that a great calamity was im-
pending over the nation was even at that time acknow.
lodged by every intelligent citizen. It had already
made itself felt throughout the length and breadth of the
hod. The necessary coosequenoes of the alarm thus pro-
duced were most deplorable. The imports fell off with a
rapidity never known before, except iu time of war, in the
history 14 our foreign commerce. The Treasury was unex-
pectedly left without meson which it had reasonably counted
spun to meet its public engagements. Trade was paislyeed,
manufactures were stopped, the best public securities
suddenly soak is the market, erelF spudn of property
depreciated more or hoe, sad themaads of poor UM
who depended upon their daily labour for their daily bread
were turned out of employment. I deeply regret tha► I am
not able to give you any information upon the state
of the Unioa which is more satisfactory than what ITM
then obliged to communicate. Oa the oontrary, metiers
are ■till worse at present than they were. When Ocepses
met, a strong hope pervaded the whole public mind that
some amicable adjustment of the subject would be speedily '
made by the representatives of the States, which might re-
store peen between the conflicting sections of the country.
That hope has been diminished by every hour of delay, and
as the prospect of a &doodler seedentent fades away the
public distress becomes more sad more aggisrated. As an
evidence of this it is only necessary to say the Treasury
notes authorised by the act of the 17th December last were
advertised according to the law, and that no responsible
bidder offered to take any considerable sure at par at a
lower rate of interest than 12 per cent. From these fact. it
appears that in a government organised like ours, domestic
strife, or even a well-grounded fear of civil hostilities, is
more destructive our public and private interests than
the moat formidable foreign war.
Is my annual message I expressed the conviction, which
I have long deliberately held, and which recent reflection
has only tended to deepen and confirm, that no State has I
the right by its own act to secede from the Union or throw
off its federal obligations at pleasure. I also declare my
opinion to be, that even if that nett existed and should be
exercised by any State of the confederacy, the exe-
cutive
department of this government had no authority
under the constitution to recognise its validity by ackoow-
!edging the independence of suck StaW. This left me no
alternative, as the chief executive ofaver under the consti-
tution of the United States, but to collect the public revenue
and protect the public property, so far as this might be
practicable under existing laws. This is still my purpose.
Xy pinion is to execute, not to make the laws. It belongs
to Om:rem exclusively to repeal, modify, or enlarge their
provisions to meet exigencies as they may occur. I
poems so dispensing power. I certainly had no
right to make aareesive war upon any State, and I am per-
fectly satisfied that the constitution has wisely withheld
that power eves from Coograna But the right and the duty
to use military force defensively against those who resist
the federal officers in the execution of their legal functions,
spinet those who awed the property of the federal govern-
meet, 1s clear and undeniable. Bat the dangerous sad
hate attitude of the States towards each other has al-
ready far transcended and cast into the shade the ordinary
executive duties already provided for by law, and has
amomed such vast and alarming proportions as to place the
subject entirely above and beyond executive control. The
tact cannot be disguised that we are in toe midst of a great
revolution. Therefore, I commend the question to Cowper
as the .only hum►n tribunal under Providence possess-
iag the power to meet the existing emergency. To
these exclusively belonbl the power to declare war or
to authorise the employment of military forces in all cases
ecstemplated by the constitution, and they alone poems
the power to remove all the grievances which might lead to
war, nail to secure peace and union to this distracted country.
On them, and on them alone, rests the responsibility. The
Union is a sacred trust left by our revolutionary f►thers for
their descendants, and never did any other people inherit
'so rich a legacy. It has rendered us prosperous in peace
and triumphant in war. The national tins has floated is
glory over every sea, and under its shadow American citi-
zens have found protection and respect in all lands beneath
the sun. If we deemed to considerations of purely mate
rial interest, when in the history of all time has a confede•
racy been bound together by such strong ties of mutual in-
' tenni Each portion of it is dependent upon all, and all
upon each portion, for prosperity and domestic security.
Free trade throughout the whole supplies the wants of
one portion from the productions of another, and matters
wealth everywhere. The great planting and farming Stake
I require the aid of the commercial and navigating States to
send their productions to domestic and foreign markets,
and famish the naval power to render their transportation
secure against all hostile attacks.
Should the Union perish in the midst of the present
excitement, wo have already had a sad foretaste of the
universal suffering which would result from its destruction.
T►e calamity would be severe in every portion of the Union,
and would be quite as great, to say the least, in the South-
ern as in the Northern States.

The greatest aggravation of the evil, and that which
would place us in the most unfavourable light both
ledere the world and posterity, is, u I am firmly eon-
viand, that the secession movement has been chiefly
based upon misapprehension at the South of the sea.
timente of the majority in several of the Northern States.
Let the question be removed from the polities] assemblies to
the ballot hos, and the people themselves would speedily
mega the serious grievances which the South have suffered.
Iltd la Heuveu's name let the trial be made before we
plunge into au armed conflict, upon the mere assumption
that there is no other alternative. Time is a great conserva-
tive power. Let ns pause at the momentous point, and
afford the people, both of the North and South, an oppor-
tunity for reflection. Would that South Carolina had been
convinced of this truth before her precipitate action. I there-
fore appeal through you to the people of the country, to de-
clare in their might that the Union must and shall he
preserved by all constitutional means. I most ear-
neatly recommend that you devote yourselves to the
question how this eau be accomplished in peace. All other
questions, when compared with this, sink into insignifi-
cance. The present is no time for palliatives. Prompt
action is required. A delay in Congress to prescribe or
recommend a distinct and practical proposition for conedia-
' tion may drive us to a point from which it will be almost
impossible to recede. A common ground on which conci-
liation and harmony may be produced is surely not unat-
tainable. The proposition to compromise by letting the
North have exclusive control of the territory above a con
taro line, and to give Southern institutions protection
below that line, ought to receive universal approbation.
In itself, indeed, it may not be entirely satisfactory,
but when the alternative is between reasonable embas-
sies on both sides and the destruction of the Usione,
it is an imputation on the patriotism of Coupons
to assert that the members will hesitate a me-
meat Even now the danger is upon us. In several
States which have not yet os-tested, the forte, arsenals, and
magazines of the United States have been seized. This is
by far the most serious step which bas been taken since the
commencement of the troubles. This public property has
long been left without garrisons and troops for its protec-
tion, because no person doubted its security under the flag
of the country in say state .4 the Union. Besides, our
small army has scarcely been sufficient to guard our remote
frontiers against Indian incursions. The seizure of this
property. from all appear..nces, has been purely aggressive,
and not ill resistance to any attempt to coerce a state
oe states to remain in the Union. At the beginning of

these unhappy troubles 1 delennined that no act of mine
shonkl incresas the excitement in either section of the
country. If the political conflict were to end in
civil war, it was my determined purposse not to cam.
menus it, nor to furnish an excuse for it by any act
of this government. My opinion remains unehanged, that
justice as wall as sound policy requires us dill to seek •
peaceful solution of the question at hone between the
North and the South. Entertaining this conviction, I re-
halved even from sending reinforcements to Major Ander-
' son, who commanded the forts of Charleston harbour, until
au absolute necessity for doing so should stake itself ap-
parent, lest it might be regarded as a menace of military
coercion, and thus furnish a provocation, or at least a pre-
text, for an outbreak on the part of South Carolina. No
neoeeeity for these reinforonnenta seemed to exist. I wan
assured by distinguished upright gentleman of Santis Caro-
lina that no attack on Major Anderson was intended, but
that on the contrary it was the desire of the state authori.
ties, ea muck as it war my own, to avoid the fatal noose
queues whisk must eventually follow a military collision
And here I deem it proper to submit for your infor
matins eopiesof a communication dated 20th December, 1860
Weaned Ms me by It. W. 13arnwell, J. H. Adams, and
James L. Or., Commissioners of South Carolina, with the
aceompanying documents and copies of my answer thereto,
dated Desesaber Al. In further explanation of Major
Anderson's moo re from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter it
is proper to state that after my answer to the South
aerobes Canonise's:oars, the War Department received a
letter from that gannet altar, dated December 27th,
1860, the dip after bit newentent, from which the follow.
ing is an extent :—" I will add, w my opinion, that may
things courinced me that the authorities el the date
designed to proceed to a hostile act (evidently referring to
the OWNS dated Desestbee llth, of the late Secrefery of
War). Under this imposition I could not hesitate that it
was my sologe duty to move my command from a fort
which we °add not probably have held longer than forty or
sixty hours, le thisose, when my power of resistance is in.
creased to • vary great degree."
It will be recollected that the concluding part of the
orders was be the following words :

" The smallness of your force will not permit you per-
haps to occupg more than one of the three forts, but an
attack on, or attempt to take pomession of either one of
them, will be regardod as an act of hostility, and you may
then put your command into either of them which you may
deem most proper to increase its power of resistance. You
are also authorised to take similar defensive steps, whenever
you bare tangible evidence of • design to proceed to an
host& act"

It Is said that serious apprehensions are to some extent
entertained, in which I do not share, that the peace of this
district may be disturbed before the 4th of March next. In
any event it will be my duty to preserve it, and this duty
shall be performed.

In conclusion. it may be permitted me to remark that I
have often warmed my countrymen of the dangers which
now surround us. This may be the last time I shall refer
to the subject officially. I feel that my duty has been
faithfully, though it may be imperfectly, performed, and
whatever the result may be, I shall carry to my grave the
consciousness that I at least meant well for my country.
(Signed) JANNA BUCHANAN.
Washington City, Jan. S.

Mr. HOWARD (of Michigan) moved that the meanie be
referred to a special committee of five, with instructions to
inquire whether any executive officers of the United
States have been, or us now treating or holding cam.
munication with any person or persons for the
transfer of forts and other property; whether any de-
mand for their surrender hos been made, and by
whom and what answer has been given ; whether any
officer or officers have entered into any pledge not to send

reinforcements of troops to the harbour of Charleston, and
if so, when, where, by whom, and on what consideration.;
whether the custom-house, post-office, or arsenal at Charles-
ton have been seized, by whom held in possession ;
whether any revenue cutter has been seized, and whether
any efforts have been made to recover it. The committee
have power to send for persons and papers, and report from
time to LiJiii al* forts as may be required by the national
homer, ke.
The resolution psesed—yeas, 133 ; nays, 62.
Respecting the firing of the Charleston forts on
the Star of the Weet, we have a despatch dated
January 10.

The Chariesfeet Courier of to-day says that about half
pastas o'clock yesterday morning thesteamer General Clinch
discovered the steamship' Star of the West, and signalled
the fact of her approach to the occupants of the battery on
Morris Island. As soon as the signal wile seen by those
on guard there, Morris Island was astir with men at their
pests before the orders could be given them to prepare
for action. They remained in anxious suspense, but
ready for what they believed was sure to come, a volley
from Fort Sumter. The Star of the West rounded
the point., took the ship channel inside the bar,
and proceeded straightforward until opposite Morris Island.
about three-quarters of a mile from the battery. A ball
was then fired athwart the bows of the steamer. The Star
of the West displayed the stars and stripes. As soon as the
Bag was unfurled the fortification fired a succession of
heavy shots. The vessel continued on her course with in-
creased speed, but two shots taking effect upon her, the ear
eluded to retire. Fort Moultrie fired a few shots at her, but
she was oat of their range. The damage done to the Star of
the West is but trifling, as only two out of seventeen shots
took effect upon her. Fort Sumter made no demonstration,
except at the port-holes, where guns were run out bearing
en Morris Island.

The next despatch contains the following corre-
spundenee which had taken place between Major
Anderson and Governor Pickens :

CHARLENTON, JAN. 9.

About ll o'clock this morning • boat from Fort Sumter,
bearing Lieutenant Hall, with • white flag, approached
the city. Lieutenant Hall bad an interview with Governor
Pickens, and was afterwards escorted to his boat and re-
embarked for Fort Sumter. The communication from
Major Anderson is as follows:

MAJOR ANDS:BROX TO GOVERNOR PICKIENtI.
To his Excellency the Governor of South Carolina.

Sir,—Two of your batteries fired this morning on
en unarmed vessel, bearing the flag of my government
As I have not been notified that war has been
declared by South Carolina against the United States, I
cannot but think this a hostile act, committed without your
sanction or authority. Under that hope I refrain from open.
log a fire on your batteries. I have the honour, therefore,
respectfully to ask whether the above-mentioned act, one
which I believe without parallel in the history of our
country or any other civilised government, was committed
in obedience to your instructions, and notify you if it is not
disclaimed, that I regard it as an act of war, and I shall
not, after reasonable time for the return of my messenger,
permit any vessel to pass within the range of the guns of
my fort. In order to save, as far as it is in my power, the
shedding of blood, I beg you will take due notification of
my decision for the good of all concerned, hoping, however,
your answer may justify a further continuance of forbear-
ance on my part.— I remain, respectfully,

Rt;HERS ANDERSON.

Governor Pickens, after stating the position of South
Carolina to the United States, says that any attempt to
*end United States troops into Charleston harbour to
reinforce tLe forts would be regarded as an set of hos-
tility ; and in conclusion adds that any attempt to reinforce
the troops at Fort Sumter, or to retake and resume poems-
siou of the forts within the waters of South Carolina which
Major Anderson abandoned, after spiking the cannon and
doing other damage, cannot but be regarded by the autho-
rities of the state as indicative of any other purpose than
the coercion of the state by the armed fame of
the government. Special agents, therefore, have been
off the Bar, to warn approaching vessels, armed and un-
armed, having troops to reinforce Fort Sumter aboard, not
to enter the harbour. Special order+ have been given theorem.
menden at the forts not to fire on such vessels until a shot
across their bows should, warn them of the prohibition of
the state. Under these circumstances the Star of the
West, it is understood, this morning attempted to enter the
harbour with troops, after having been notified she could
not enter, and consequently ahe was fired into. The act is
perfectly justified by me. In regard to your threst about
vessels in the harbour, it is only necessary for me to say,
you mart be the judge of your responsibility. Your posi.