The Nevada Democrat., 1861-01-29
Correspondence Between Major Ander-
son and Gov. Plelkens.

son and Gov. Piekenss
The Bulletin contains the correspondence
between Major Anderson and Gov. Pickens
relative to the firing into the Star of the
West The first communication oil MAJOR
Anderson was as follows:
To His Excellency, the Governor Of South
Caroina-Sir: Two of your batteries fired this
morning on an unarmed vessel bearing the nag
of Government; as / have not been notlhed
that war has been declared by South Carolina
against the United States, | cannot but think
this a hostile act committed without your sane
ton or authority; under that hope | refrain
from opening a fire on your batteries. have
the honor, therefore, respectfully to ask wheth-
er the above mentioned act, which, believe, IS
without parallel in our country, or any other
civilized Government, was committed IN o0edl-
ence to your Instructions and to notify you
that if it is not disclaimed, regard it az an act
Of war, and / shall, after u reasonable time, Tor
return Of my messenger, not permit any vessel
to pass Within the range of the guns Of my Fort.
In order to save, as far as in my power, the
shedding Of blood, beg you will take due notl-
fcation of my decision, for the good of all con-
cerned hoping, however, that your answer may
justify me in further forbearonce on my part, L
remain respectfully yours,
ROBERT ANDERSON.
Gov Pickens, in answer, after stating
the position of South Carolina towards the
Federal Government, says:
Any attempt to reinforce the troops at Fort
Sumpter, or to retake or resume possession OF
the Forts within the waters of South Carolina.
which Major Anderson abandoned, after splk-
ing the guns and doing other damages, cannot
but be regarded, by the authorities of South
Carolina, as indicative of no other purpose than
the coercion of the State by the armed force OF
the Government. The special agents, therefore,
of the State have been off the bar to warn ves-
sells armed, having troops to reinforce Fort
Sumpter aboard not to enter the harbor. Spec
ial orders have been given to commanders at
the Forts, not to fire on such vessels until a
shot across their bows should warn them of the
prohibition of the State. Under these circum-
stances the steamer Star Of the West, this
morning, attempted to enter the harbOr with
troops, having been notified that she could not
enter, and consequently she was fired into. The
act is perfectly justified by me. In regard to
your threat about vessels in the harbOr, 1t Is
only necessary for me to say that you alone
must be the judge of your responsibility. Your
position in the harbor has been tolerated by the
authorities of the State; and, while the act Of
which complaint is made, is in perfect consist
ehty WIN IhS liSh@ "iiu "uIJ Va WIG pS''N' ~ -
not perceived how far the conduct you propose
TO adopt can find parallel in the history of any
country, or reconciled with any other purpose
than that Of your Government imposing on this
State the condition of an aequiesced province.
+. w. PICKENs.
Major Aderson sent another note TO Gov.
Pickens, referring the whole matter to the
Government, and stating that be should de-
fer the course indicated in his first note, un-
til he received instructions from Washing
! ton.