Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1861-02-16

upon the adjustment of its relations with the
United Stntos, of which it was part.
(Signod) T. w. PIcKENs.
10 the President of the United States.
STATE OF SoUTH CAROLINA, \
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, State Department,
Charleston, january II, 1861
Sir: The Governor has considered it prop-
or, in view of the grave questions which now
affect the State of South Carolina and the
United States, to make n demand upon the
PRESIDENT of the United States, for the deIiv-
cry to the State Of South Carolina of Fort
Sumter, now Within the territorial limits of
this State, aud occupied by troops of the
United States.
The Convention of the People of South
Carolina authorized and empowered its Com
fiissloncrs &c enter !nto negotiations with the
Government of the United States, for the dc.
livery of forts, magazines, light houses, and
other real estate within the limits of South
Carolina
The circumstances which caused the inter.
ruptton of that negotiation are known to YOU (;
with the formal notification of it's cessation,
was the urgent Expression of the necessity
for the Withdrawal of the troops of the Uni,
ted States from the harbur of Charleston.
The interruption of these negotiations left
ali matters connected with Fort Sumter and
troops of the United States within The limits
OF tins State, affected by the fact that the
continued possession of The Fort was not con
sistent with the dignity or safety of the State ;
and that an attempt to reinforce the troops at
that fort would not he allowed This. there
fore, became a state of hostility; in consc-
Tu"Dcc OF which the State of South Carolina
WAS placed in a condition of defence. Du.
ring the preparation for this purpoae, an at.
tempt was made to reinforce Fort Sumter, and
rcpclled.
iou are now instructed to proceed to
Washington, and there, in the name of the
Government of the State of South Carolina,
enquire OF the President of the UniNcd States.
whether 1t was by his order that troops OF the
Uuitcd States were sent into the harbor of
Charleston to reinforce Fort Sumter; if he
ayows that order, You will then enquire,
whether he asserts Il right to introduce troors
ot the United States within the limits of this
State, to occupy Fort SUMTER and YOU will,
in case of his avowal, inform him that Meth.
er will be permitted; and either will be re.
gardcd as declaration of war against the
State Of South Carolina.
The Governor, to save life, and determined
to omit no course of proceeding usual among
civilized nations previous to that condition of
general hostilitics which belongs to war; and
not knowing under what order, or by what
authority, Fort Sumter is now held demand
ed from Major Robert Anderson now in com
mand of that fort. its delivery to the State
That officer, in his reply has referred the
Governor to the Government Of the United
States Mt Washington. You will, therefore,
demand from tie President of the United
States tho Withdrawal of the troops of the
United States from that fort, and it's delivery
to the State of South Carolina.
You arc instructed not to allow any oues
tion of property claimed by the United States
to cmbnrrss the assertion of the political
right OF the State of South Carolina to the
possession of Fort Sumter The possession
of that fort by the State is alone consistent
with the dignity and safety of the State of
South Carolina but such possession is not
inconsistent with right to compensation in
money in another Government, if it has
against the State of South Carolina any lust
claim connected with that fort But the pos
session of the fort cannot, in regard to the
State of South Carolina. be compensated by
any consideration of any kind from the Gov
ernment of the United States, when the pos
session of it by the Government is invasive
OF the dignity and affects the safety of the
State. That possession cannot become now a
matter of discussion or negotiation You
wlll therefore,, rcqnire from the President of
the United States positive and distinct an.
swer to your demand for the delivery of the
fort. And you are further authorized to give
the pledge of the State to adjust all matters
which may be- and are, in their nature, sus.
ceptibe of valuation in money; in the manner
most usual and upon the principles of equity
and justice always recognized by independent
ndtlons, for tho ascertainment of their reintivc
rights and obligations in such matters.
You are further instructed to say to the
President of the United States, that the Gov
ernor regards the attempt of the President of
the United States, if avowed, to continue the
possession Of Fort Sumter, as inevitably
leading to bloody issue a question which,
IN the Judgment of the Governor, can have
but one conclusion reconcilable with due
regard to the State of South Carolina, the
welfare of the other States which now copsti
tute the United States, and that humanity
which teaches all men, but particularly those
who in authority control the lives of others.
to regard resort to arms as the last which
should be considered. To shed their blood
IN defence of their rights is duty. which the 4
citizens of the State of South Carolina fully
recognize. And in such a cause, the Gov
ernor, while deploring the atern necessity
which may compel him to call for the sacrifice,
will feel that his obligation to preserve invio.
late the sacred rights Of the Strte of South
Carolina, justify the sacrifice necessary TO So.
A1,ax II n.