The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-08
From the Charleston Courterl
G O II n Z s . O k ID IN C. G
President of the United States and the Conn
missioners Of South Carolina.
BETWEEN THE

Aue iollo"luP correspond ence was read III Secre
session, and from which the injunction of secresy
was removed The first letter of the Commission
ers is dated Washington, Dec 2S, and contains
recital OF their powers and objects These they
had proposed to carry out and to inform the Presi-
dent that they were ready to open negotiations.
"But the events of the last twenty four hours rem
der such assurance impossible. We came here
the representatives of authority which could at
time within the past sixty days have taken DOS
session OF the forts in Charleston Harbor, but upon
pledges given in a manner that cannot doubt,
determined to trust to your honor rather than to
its own power. Since our arrival, officer of the
United States, acting, as we are assured, not only
without, but against your orders, has dsmanted
one fort and occupied another, thus altering to a
most important extent the condition of affairs un-
der which we came.
"Until these circumstances are explained in man
which relieves of all doubt as to the spirit in
which these negotiations shall be conducted we are
forced to suspend all discussions as to any arrange
ments by which our mutual interests night be ami
cably adjusted.
"And, In conclusion, would urge upon you the
immediate withdrawal of the troops from the har-
Dor of Charleston. Under present circumstances,
they are standing menace, which renders negotia-
tlon impossible, and, recent experience
shows threatens speedily to bring to bloody issue
questions which ought to be settled with temper
ance and judgment.
owe have the honor to be,
every respectfully,
'Your obedient servants,
SIX. w. BARNwELL,0
"Ji JAMES vi: An1ps, Il. osn, Commissioners
"To the President of the United States'
''To this note the President on Dec. 3Oth, replied
by referring to the positions taken in his message
which he still held. lie goes on to say:
"On Saturday, 6th December, four of the Repre-
sentatives from South Carolina called on me, and
requested an interview. We had an earnest con-
versaton the subject of these forts and the best
means OF preventing collision between the parties
for the purpose of sparing the etfusion of blood
suggested, for prudential reasons that it would be
best to put in writing what they said to me yerball
ly. They did SO accordingly, and on Monday
morning, the 10th instant, three of them presented
to me paper, signed by all the Representatives
from South Carolina with single exception, of
which the following is copy:
"1o His ErceHency James Buchanan,
President United States :
s'In compliance with our statement to YOU yester-
day, we now express to you strong convictions
that neither the constituted authorities nor apy
body of the people of the State of South Carolina
will either attack modest the United States forts
in the harbor of Charleston previously to the action
OF the Convention, and we hope and believe not
until an Ctfer has been made through an accredited
representative to negotiate for amicabe arrange
ment of all matters between the State and the
Federal Government, provided that no reinforce
ments shall be sent into those forts and their re
tive military status shall remain as at present.
"JoHN McQUEEN,
s'M. l.. BoNHAM
"W. W. BoYCE,
"LAURENcE Nj. KElrT.
"Washington, 9th December, 1861"
The event has proven that they have faithfully
kept their promise, although | have never since re-
ceived line from any of them, or from any
member of the Convention, on the subject. 1t is
well known it was my determination and this
freely expressed, not to reinforce the forts in the
harbor, and thus produce collision until they had
been actually attacked, or until had certain evil
dence that they were about to be attacked. y +
Bearing upon this subject refer you to an order
issued by the Secretary of War; on the lIth inst.
to Ma j0r Anderson, but not brought to nv notice
until the 2lst inst 1t is as follows:
Memorandum Of Verbal instructions to Major anderson
lst artillery, Commanding Fort Aou trie, Sosah Car
You are aware of the great anxiety of Secretary
of War that collision of the troops people of
this State shall be avoided and of his studied determine
ton to pursue with reference to the military
force and this habor which shall guard against
such collision He has, therefore, carefully abtained
from increasing the force this point or taking any
measures which might add to the present excited
the public mind which would throw the
confidence he feels that South Carolina will attempt
by violence to obtain possession of the public works
interfere with their occupancy.
But the counsel and acts of rash mpusive per
sons may posblydsappointt Gov
ernment he deems 1t proper that you should be prepared
with instructions, to meet unhappy a contingency
He has therefore, directed verbally give you
instructions.
"You are carefully to avoid every act which would
needessy tend to provoke aggression and for that
son not without essty to take up any posi-
tion which could be construed into the assumption of
hostile attitude but you to hold possession of the
ferts in this harbor and if attacked you are to defend
yourself to the last extremity
Ihe smaness OF your force will not permit you
haps to occupy more than three forts but an
attack on or attempt to take possession of either of them
will be regarded act of hostility and Won av IN an
put your command into either of them which vou NAV
deem most to increase power of resistance Won
also authorized to take similar steps whenever Won
have tangible evidence of design to proceed hostile
act D. p BuTIEP
assistant Adjutant General
FORT MoULTRIE, s. c., December IL, 1860.
This is in conformity to my instructions to Major Buell.
John b. FLOYD,
Secretary of War"
"When learned that Major Anderson had left
Fort Moultrle and proceeded to Fort Sumter my
first promptings were to command him to return to
his former position and there to await the coptin-
gencies presented in his instructions. This wouId
only have been done, with any ,ree of safety to
the command, by the concurrence of the South
Carolina authorities. But before any stems could
possibly have been taken in this direction. we re-
ceived information that the Palmetto flag foated
out to the breeze at Castle Pinckney, and a large
military force went over last night (the 27th) to
Fort Moultre.'
"It is under all these circumstances that am
urged Immediately to withdraw the troops from
the harbor of Charleston, and am informed that
without this, negotiation is impossible This
cannot do this will not do. Such an idea was
never thought of by me in any possible contingen
cy. No allusion had been made in any communi.
cation between myself and any human being. But
the inference is, that am bound to withdraw the
troops from the only fort remaining in the posses.
sion Of the United States in the harbor of Charles
ton, because the officer there In command Of all