Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-01-17
THE GOVERNORS REPLY.

GOVERNORS REPLY.
STATE SOUTH CAROLINA,
EXECUTIVE OFFICE HEADQUARTE
Charleston, 9th January, 1861.
Sir Your letter has been received. In it You make
certain statements which plainly show that you have
not been fully informed by Government of the precise
relations which exist between and the State of South
Carolina Ohclal information has been communicated to
the Government of the United States that political con-
neciOn heretofore existing between the State
Carolina and the States which known the United
States had ceased and that the State South Carolina had
resumed all the powers had delegated to the United States
under the compact known the Constitution the United
States The right which the State of South Carolina pos
sessed to change the political relations which she had held
with the other Sates under the Constitution the United
States has been solemny asserted by the people this
State in Convention and does admit of discussion
In anticipation of the Ordinance Of Secession Of which
the President OF the United States had official notification
understood by him that sending any renforcements
of troops of the United States the harbor Charleston
would be ded uted authorities of the State
of south Carolina of hostility aud at the same
time it understood by him that any change the
patton of the forts in the harbor of Charleston womb
like maEner be regarded hostility Either or
both of these occurring during the period in which
the State of South Carolina Constituted mart of the rnid
States then distinctly notified the President of the
United States act acts of hostility because either
or both would be and could only be intended
dispute the right OF the State of South Carolina that poll
teal independence which she has always asserted and will
always retain
Whatever would have BEEN during the continuance of
this State while member of the United States an act of
hostility became much more so when the State of South
Carolina had dissolved all connection with the Government
OF the United States After the secession of the State
South Carolina Fort Sumter continued possession
the troops OF the United States How that fort at this
time in the possession of the troops the United States
nots now necessary to discuss. 1t will suffice to say
that the occupancy of that has been regarded by the
State OF South Carolina the st act of hostility commit
ted by the troops of the United States within the limits of
this State and in this light regarded so unequvoca
that 1t occasoned the termination of the negotiation then
pending at Washington between the Commissioners of the
State of South Carolina and the President of the United
States.
The attempt to reinforce troops now in Fort Sumter
or TO and resume of the within the
OF tins State which abandoned after spkng the
guns placed there and doing otherwise much damage can
not be regarded by the authorities State as
armed forces OF your Government To repel such an at
tempt too plainly duty to allow to be discussed and
While defending its waters the authorities of the State have
been careful to conduct the affairs the State so that
ae however necessary for its Lefence to
less waste OF fe Special agents. therefore, have been of
the Bar 90 warn all approaching vessels if armed or un-
ana having troops torenorce the fort board moi
TO enter the harbor of Charleston, and special orders
nave Deen given to the commanders of all the forts
az baerles not to fire such vessels until shot was fred
across their bow would them of prohibition Of
me ctate Under these circumstances the Star the West
u is undersfood this morning attempted enter this har
Der win troops on board and having been that she
could not enter. fired into The perfectly Justified
Oy me- In regard to your threat regard vessels IN the
is only necessary to say that you must Judge Of
your responsibility Your position in this arbor has been
Tolerated by the authorities of the STATE and while the act
OF which you complain in perfect consistency with the
rights and duties of the State it is not perceived how far
inc conduct which you propose to adopt can find parallel
inc history Of any country or be recoaciled with any