Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1861-04-19
The Presidents Reply 20 the Virgin.
IN Commissioners.

The following - the reply Of Mr.. Lincoln
% the Virginia Commissioners
- To Mars Pr,Ji0s, Nuari drd Rds.
dolpA.
Gentlemen Asa COMMITTEE Of the yir-
gina Convention. now IN session, yOa pre-
cent the preamble aud resolution, As fol-
lows Whereas. ia the opinion OF this
Convention. the uncertainty which prevails
m the public mind a. o. the policy which
the FEDERAL Executive intends 10 pursue
toward the ~cced,d States i extremely In-
iurious % the industrial aud commercial IN
tsrr.t- II the country, tends 10 keep up an
excitement which - uniavorable ~ the sd'
rustmeut Of the peoding difficulties, and
threatens a Disturbance Vt The public peace :
therefore,
Rs,olrsd. That commiite. q, ihr~s del.
erAte- be appointed 10 wait on the President
Oi the United States. present 10 him this
preamble. aud respectfully ask MIN 20 con-
iaunic.le ~ ihi. C0nvention the policy
which the FEDERAL Executive intrnds d pur-
cue in regard % the Confederate State-.
In answer have 90 say that having. Of
the beginning Of nv oacial term. expressed
my intended policy as plainly as Vas abb.
il With deep regret and modification l
pov learn there - great and injurious un-
certainty in the public mind as 10 what
that rolIcy -. and what course ! intend u
pursue.
Not having az vet, occasion 10 change.
1, &. NV purpose % pursue the course marx
81 Oh, IA the inaugural address. COM
mend a careful consideration OF ths whole
document AZ the bc-i expression can gave
O. NV purro-c-. A. ! then and therein
-.id. | nov repeat, the power eonhdsd 10
the val De- u-ct T. hold, occupy and p1,se.'
property aud piaee. belonging 10 the Gov
,rum-nt. aud u collec, the duties on i'm
uUEts bot b-youd ~hat - necessary for
Thee obeci. there vill De no invasion,
10 using Of iOrce against Or among the rso'
nc Anysh here.
By The w0ris property and places belong
inc :, the Government, chiefly allude 10 The
miIiary PCT. aud property which were 10
t...-s.i1n OF the GJyrrnm ut when 10 came
into NV hands. but A.. as now appears 10 -
true. IN pursuit Of purpose % drive the
L. : authorities from their places, an un'
Iruvokst assault ha. been male upon Fort
sum ~. shall hold myself a, liberty e
rvpO,s,. Il. Il | can. Ike places which bad
btfu = lAcu NeiotN tuf EuNcIutuehb ~ Wv
vol,ed upon me, and in any event shalI
10 the bcs; u my ability rsPel force by
fore.
In case il proves true that For, sumter
has heen assaulted. a. reported, shall PER
haps cause the United states mails 10 b
Withdrawn from all the State. which claim
70 have .ecrded. believing that asiaal Wal
against the Government justihes aud posi-
Div demands 10.
/ scarcely need say tina, consider 'h'
miliar posts and property situated within
the State. which claim % have .ecei~i, a'
Vet belonging - tue United States Govern
meut. a. much a. they did before the sup
po.ed secession. Whatever else | may d
Tor the parpo-e, shall no; attempt 3" col
lect the duties and revenues by any armeC
invasion % any par, Of the country, no,
meaning by thi-, however. that ! may no
land i0rCs deemed necessary to relieve 4
fort upon the border OF the country. Frou
the Tact that have quoted a part the inau
cural address, 70 must not be Inferred tha,
rrpudlte any other part-ihe whole %
which | rcafhrm, except - Tar A. what
now say Of the mails may Be regarded a. 1
modification