Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1861-05-11
PIcKENs COURT HOUSE, SC. SATURDAY, MAY II, 1861

"ei cSlapliSucu, ana 50 necessary tor self pre-
scrvation, the people of the Confederate States
in their Conventions, determined that the
wrongs which they had suffered and the evils
with which they were nenaced required
that they should revoke tho delegation of
powers to the Federal Government which
they had ratGcdin their several Conventions.
They consequently passed ordinances resum
ing all their rights as sovereign and indepcn-
dent States, 5and dissolved their connection
with the other Stutcs Of the Union.
Having dono this, they proceeded to form
new compact amoug themselves, by new ar
tlcles of Confederation, which hn.c been also
ratified by the several States with an approach
to unaninlity far exceeding that of the Con-
ventlons which adopted the Constitution Of
1877 They have organized their new Gov
ernmcnts in all its departments; the func-
tions of tho Executive, Legislative, and Ju
dicial Magistrates arc performed in accor
dance with the will of the people, as displayed
not merely IN n cheerful acquicsccncc, but in
the enthusiastic support of the Government
thus established by themselves and but for
the interference of the Government of the
United States in this legitimate exercise Of
the right Of people in self government,
peace, happiness, and prosperity would now
smile OH our land
That peace is ardcntly desired by this Gov
crnmcnt and people, has been manifested in
every possible form, Sc1rcc had you assem-
blcd i'll February last, when, prior even to
the Inauguration Of the Chief Magistrate YOU
had elected, you passed u resolution express
slvc of your desire for tho appointment of
| Commissioners to be sent to the Government
OF the United Suites, for tho purpose Of nc
gotiating friendly relations between that Gov.
crnmcnt and the Confederate States of Amer.
lca, and for the settlement of all questions Of
disagreement between the two Governments,
upon principles of right, justice, equality
and good faith"
lt.was my pleasure, MS we'll rs my duty, to
cooperate with you in this work Of pcacc
Indeed. in my advice to you OH taking the
oath of Office and before receiving from YOU
the communication of this resolution, I.had
sad, " as necessity, not choice we have
rcsortcd to the remedy of separation, and
hencctorth our energies must be directed to
the conduct OF our own affairs and the per-
pctuity of the Confedcracy which VIC have
formed. 1t just perception Of mutual in
tercst shall permit us pcaccably to pursue our
separate political carecr, my most earnest de-
sire will have been fulfilled
1t was in furthcrancc of these nccordant
views OF the Congress and the Executive
that made choice of three discreet, able and
distinguished citizens, who repaired to Wash
lngton. Aided by their cordial co operation,
| and that of the Secretary of State, every cf-
fort compatible with selfrcspcct and the dig
nifty OF the Contedcracy was exhausted before
allowed myself to yield to the conviction
that the Government of the United States
was determined to attempt the conquest of
this people, aud that our cherished hopes of
peace were unattainablc.
On the arrival of our Commissioners in
Washington, on the 9Th of March, they post.
poncd, ut the suggestion Of a friendly inter
mcdiary, doing more than giving an Informal
notice of their arrival. This was done with
view to afford time to the President who
had Just beed inauguratcd, for the discharge
of other pressing official duties in the orgami-
zation OF his administration before engaging
his attention in the object of their mission.
| 1t was not until the 18th of the month that
they officially addressed the Secretary Of State,
Informing hilnt'o the purpose Of their arri-
val, and stating, in the language of their in
| structions, their wish to make to the Gov
crnment Of the United States ovcrturcs for
the opening of negotiations; assuring tho Gov.
ernmcnt Of the United States, that the Pres
ldent, Congress, and people of the Confcdcr-
ate States earnestly desire II peaceful solution
OF these great questions; that it is neither
| their interest nor their wish to make any dc.
tnand Which is not founded on the strictcst
justice, nor do any act to injure their late
confcdcratcs"
: To this communication no formal reply was
received until the 9Th April. During the IN
tervnl tho Commissioners had consented to
waive oil questions of form. With tile firm
resolve to avoid war,.if possible, they went so
far s&eyen as TO hold, during that long period,
unofiiciaf intercourse through IN intermediary,
whose high position and character inspired
the hope of success, and through whom con-
stapt assurances were received from the Gov
ornmcnt of the United States of peaceful in
tentions, Of the determination to cvacuatc
Fort Sumter and further, that no measures,
changing the texsting' g'status preiudicially to
the Confederate States, especially at Fort
Pickeps, was in contemplation /; but that, in
the event Of any change Of intention OH the
subject, notice would be given To The Com
missioncrs The crooked paths of9diplomacy
can, scarcely furnish aifexamplo so wantinn
in courtesy, in candor, and directness, ms was
the course, of tho United States Government
towards our Commissioners in Washington.
For. proof of this I refer to tho annexed. doc
uments marked-,, taken in. connection with
further facts which now proceed to relate. !:
EARLY in.April, the attcntionSof tho whole
country, MS we'll MS that of our Comnissio "a,
| was attracted to extraordinary preparation,
f,,,. N ~. r,vto,ys,,,S .,:l...k l. Tat 80 ~.