New Orleans daily crescent., 1860-12-24
The South Carolina Forts.
The Charleston Courier publishes the followin
communication:

The Charleston Courier publishes the following
communication:
Your correspondent, aFakland, y has not touch.
ed upon an important portion of the Presidents
message, involving the vital interests of the COM
merce of South Carolina-the collection of the
revenue. The President states, unequivocally, that
the duties upon importations must be collected
his oath of office leaves him no alternative If me-
gotiation fails in causing these forts to be returned
to South Carolina, will they not be used to enforce
the collection Of the revenue? Does not every
one see that the sealing up of our harbor would
be rendered an hundred fold more effectual by the
Government of the United States with these forts
in her possession, than if they were under the con-
troll of the State
Look for moment at the position of Fort Sum
ter, Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie. Within
the triangle which they form, and under their guns
the collection of government tribute could be en-
forced without the slightest molestation. The CEN
ter of this triangular space would be the anchor
age for the Federal Floating Customhouse. To
what would our mastery inactivity lead, ii this
should be quietly acquiesced in for the entire win
ter, under the delusive hope of some insurrection
among our enemies, that might possibly enure to
our benefit to total ruin of our commerce, and
a bombardment of our city With these forts in
possession of the President, under mere pretext
OF collecting the revenue, war steamers of light
draft sufficient to come over our bar, would be ad-
mitted into the harbor, and we should be reduced
to unconditional acquescence in this enforced col
lection Of duties or the bombardment of our city.
Who does notremember the enormous pivot guns
of the Wyoming as she lay off the battery only a
short time snce-guns that could throw explosive
shells at least four miles The question may be
asked, could not the Federal Government blockade
our port even if we had possession of the forts
Yes; but it would be blockade at sea, and not,
in addition, forced collection of illegal tribute in
our harbor, at our wharves, and under threats of
bombardment from the forts, that were only eeded
to the government for our defence against for
eign foe.
These forts once ours, no Floating Custom-house
would be permitted to live in our harbor for an
hour-no Government armed vessel could come
over our bar. We could afford to take the chances
of an outside blockade. Foreign governments
would see to the protection of their own commerce
at sea, and upon the entrance of their ships into
our port they would be unmolested by Floating
Custom-house. 1t is idle to tell us that England
France, and other nations will not protect their
ships in their entrance into and exit from our port
With the forts in possession there would be no
difficulty on this point. How important then that
no renforcements should be allowed, pending the
negotiation which will follow secession. II the
President desires to keep peace and avoid blood
she'd let him remain firm, and resist all outside
pressure-even from Lieutenant. General Scott-to
induce him to send additional troops to these forts
Should the question be asked if additional troops
are sent, will it not be best to permit them to land
|, for one, would unhesitatingly answer