Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-02-08

State of South Carona jusles the sacrifice necessary
secure that end The Governor does not desire TO remind
the President Of the responsibilities which upon him
Respectfully, your obedient servant
AG. MAGRATH.
To Hon. l. W. Hayne, Special Envoy from the State Of
South Carolina to the President Of the United States
On the arrival of Colonel Hayne in Washington, ten
Southern Senators, including JEFF Davis slidel Bepja
min, and Wigfa wrote him letter. advising him to de-
lay the demand until the seeded States should have
formed confsderacy. They offer to propose to the
President to guarantee that Fort Sumter shall not be
inforced in the meantime.
In reply to this letter COL Hayne accedes to the re-
quest and them that if the President gives that
guarantee, South Carolina will not attack Fort Sumter
The ten Southern Senators then lay befo the Pres
dent the correspondence between them and Col Hayne
and through Secretary Holt receive
The Presidents Reply.
In regard to the proposition of Col. Hayne, "thai no
renforcements will be sent to Fort SUMTER in the inter-
val and that the public peace will not be disturbed by
any act of hostility towards South Carolina" it Ia impos
sibe for to give you any such assurances The Pre-
sdent has no authority to enter into such agreement
or understanding. As an Executive officer, he is simply
bound to protect the public property far this may
be practicable; and it would be manifest violation OF
his duty to place himself under engagements that be
would not perform this duty either for an indefinite
limited period. At the present moment is not deemed
necessary to reinforce Major Anderson because he makes
no such request aud feels quite in his position
Should bis safety however require achievements every
effort will be made to supply them.
IN regard to the assurance from the President "hat
the public peace will not be disturbed by any act Of hos
ty towards South Carolina" the answer will readily oc-
cur to yourselves To Congress- and to Congress alone
belongs the power to make war; and it would be act
Of usupation for the Executive to give any
that Congress would not exercise this power however
strongly he may be convinced that no such intention
lists.
am glad to be assured from the letter of Col Hayne
that "Msor Anderson aud his command do no1O obtain
all necessary supplies including fresh meat and vegeta
bles and l believe, fuel and water from the city of
Charleston, and do Ell Joy communication, by post
and special messenger with the President and will
tinue to do so, certainly until the door negotiation has
been closed" | trust that these facilities may still be
afforded 10 Major Anderson. This is it should be-
Major Anderson is not menacing Charleston and am
convinced that the happest result which be attained
is, that both he and the authorities of Solth Carolina
shall remain on their present amicable footing neither
party being bound by any obligations whatever, except
the high Christian and moral duty keep the peace and
10 avoid all causes of natural irritation.
Very respectfully your obedient servant
j. HOLT, Secretary OF War, dd interim.
This reply is sent by the Senators to Colonel Hayne,
with the hope that while its not as satisfac
tory could be desired" yet South Carolina will not feel
it her duty TO open hosties. COL Hayne then refers
all the correspondence the Government OF South Car.
olina and, under date Of Jan 90 receives letter from
Secretary Magath which he is informed will be the last
addressed him on the subject The letter says
"The opinion the Governor the prOpriety OF the
demand which Is contained in the letter. with the delivery
of which you are charged has not only been confirmed
by the circumstances which your mission has developed
but is increased into conviction Of its necessity
The safety of the State requires that the position Of the
President should be distinctly understood The safety of
all the seeding States requires it, much the safety
Of South Carolina. If be so that Fort Sumter is held
but as property then property the rights whatever
they may lie, OF the United States, can be sscertained
aud for the satisfaction Of those rights the pledge Of the
State OF South Carolina you are authorized TO give. II
Fort Sumter is no; held property it ia held mill
try post and ouch post within the limits Of this State
will not be tolerated
Zine letter of the President may be received as the
reply TO the question you instructed ask as to
bis assertion OF the right send achievements to Fort
Sumter. You were instructed TO to him. If he as
serted that right that the State of South Carolina regard
ed such right when asserted with attempt at its
exercise, as declaration of war. IL the President in
tends il shall be understood il proper to avoid
any msconcepon hereafter that he should be informed
of the in which the Governor will feel bound to
regard il.
III the President, when you have stated the reasons
which prompt the Governor in making the demand for
the delivery Of Fort Sumter shall refuse TO deliver the
fort upon the pledge you have been suthoz d TO make
Won will communicate that refusal without delay, to the
Governor. IL the President shall not be prepared to
give you an immediate answer you will communicate to
him that his answer may be Transmitted, within rea-
sonable ,ime to the Governor this place. The Gov
does no; consider it necessary that you should
main in Washington any longer than is necessary to
cute this the closing duty OF your mission, in the
indicated to you. As the Governor shall
receive from you information that you have closed your
MISSION and the reply whatever il may be- Of the Pres
iden, he will consider the conduct which will be neces.
sary his part"