Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-01-14
Important Correspondence.

CHARLEsToE, Jan. 9.
About II o'clock this morning a boat
from Fort Sumpter, bearing Lieut.. Hall
with a white flag, approached the city.
Lieut. Hall had an interview with Gov.
Plckcns, and was afterwards escorted
to hi, boat and re-embarked for Fort
Sumpter. The communication from
Major Anderson, is as follows:
10 Hs E1cellency. The Governor Of South Car
ol.na
SIR Two Of your batteries fired
this morning on an anarmed vessel bear
ing the flag Of my government. AS |
have not been notified that war has been
declared by South Carolina against the
United States, cannot but think this
hostile act, committed without your
sanction or authority. Under that hope
refrain from opening fire on your
batteries. | have the honor, therefore,
respectfully to ask whether the above
mentioned act, one which | believe With
out parallels in the history of our country
or OF any other civilized government,
was committed in obedience to your in
str.ciians, and notlfy you that if 1t Is
not dlsclalmed, that regard it as an act
OF war, aud shall not, after 4 reasonable
time for the return of my messenger,
permit any vessel to pass within range OF
the guns Of my fort. In order to save,
rs far Is 1t is IN my power, the shedding
of blood. | beg you will take due not,-
fcaton of my decision for the good of
al. concerned. Hoping, however, that
Your answer may justify a further con-
tinuance OF iorbearance on my part,
remain, respectfully,
(Signed) ROBERT ANDERSON.
Gov. Pickens, after stating the posi-
ton OF South Carolina to the United
States, says that any attempt to seLd
United States troops into the Charles
ton Uarbor to reinforce the forts, would
be regarded as an act OF hostility, and
in conclusion adds that any attempt to
reinforce the troops at Fort Sumpter, or
to retake and resume possession Of the
forts within the waters of South Carroll
ma, which Major Anderson abandoned,
after spiking the cannon or doing other
damages, cannot but be regarded by the
authorities of the State as indicative of
no other purpose than the coercion of
the State by the armed force of the gov
eminent. Special orders have been Civ
en- to commanders at the forts not to fire
on such vessels till shot across their
bows should warn them of the proturbi-
ton of the State. Under these circum-
stances, the Star Of the West, this morn
ing, attempted to enter the harbor with
troops, after having been notified that
she could not enter, and consequently
she was fred into, The act is perfectly
justified by me,
In regard to your threat about vessels
in the ha,bor, it is only necessary for me
to say-you alone must be the Judge Of
your responsibility. Your position in
the harbor has been tolerated by the au-
thorities of the State, while the act of
which you complain is in perfect consist
ency with the rights and duty of the
State. 1t is not perceived how far the
conduct you propose to adopt can find
parallel in the history of any country,
or be reconciled with any ether purpose
than that of your government imposing
on the State the condition of an acquir-
ed province.
(oigned F. w. PIcKENs.
Second communication from Major
Anderson.
To His Excellency Gov. Pickens:
SIR Il have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt Of your communication,
and say that under the circumstances l
have deemed it proper to refer the
whole matter to my government, aud
intend deferring my course indicated in
my note this morning, until the arrival
from Washington of such instruction as
may receive. / have the honor, also, to
express the hope that no distractions
will be placed in the way, and that you
will do me the favor Of giving every ia
cility for the departure and return of the
bearer, Lieut. Talbot, who is directed to
make the journey.
(S:gned) ROBr. ANDERSON.
Gov. Pickens Immediately granted the
permission aud desire, and directed
Lieut.. Talbot to have every facility and
courtesy extended to him as bearer of
dispatches to the United States govern
ment, both in going and returning.
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