Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-05-14
Hon. Garrett Davis Visit to President
Lincoln.

1no 0OUTUUt VI yesterday cOutaluou d Iottor
from Hon. Garrett Davis, of Paris, in which he
gives the particulars of visit to President Lin
coin. The material portion of it, which we copy
below, will be found interesting. The President
promises we'll, but remembering bis course in re-
gard to Fort Sumter and in view of his promises
to the Northerners Of which the telegraph and
Black Republican papers daily advise US, we
place but little reliance in his statements to Mr.
Davis:
Early last week 1 determined, upon my own
reflection and impulse, to make hurried run to
Washington, to take view of public affairs
there, and fiom there; and to talk with the
President and some of the members of his Cab
net in relation to our National troubles, and how
the Administration intend to treat them.
| found the President frank and calm, but de-
cided and firm. He expressed deep concern and
regret for the existing condition of public af-
fairs, and his hope that there woald yet be re-
storation of the Union, and peace and amity
among all the States He remarked that neither
ne nor any other President, who had been elect
ed by party, could administer the Government
| in strict accordance with his own opinions and
| Judgment; but must make some departure to sat
/ isfy those who had plsced him in power. That
before the Oarolinians had made the attack on
Fort Sumter, he had decided not to reinforce the
garrison, but merely, and only, to supply its
handful of famishing men with food and that
| he had distinctly communicated these purposes
| to the authorities of the Southern Confederacy.
That he had also determined that, until the meet
ing of Congress, he would make no attempt to
| retake the forts, &C., belonging to the United
States, which had been unlawfully seized and
wrested from their possession. but would leave
the then existing state of things to be considered
and acted upon by Congress, unless he should be
constrained to depart from that purpose by the
continued military operations Of the seeded
States
| The President further said, that events had
now reached point when it must be decided
| whether our system of Federal government was
| only league of sovereign a,d independent
States, from which any State could withdraw at
pleasure, or whether the Constitution formed a
| government invested with strength and power
sufficient to uphold its own authority, and to en-
force the execution OF the laws of Congress-
That he had no doubt of the truth of the latter
proposition, and he intended to make it good in
the administration of the Government to the ex-
tent that he should be sustained by the people
of the United States.
| He remarked also, that he expected all the
States upon which he had made requisition for
military aid, to enable him to execute the laws,
TO respond to that call; and particularly the
State of Kentucky, which had been so loyal to
the Union and faithful in the performance of her
duties. That he greatly regretted that she had
not acted up to the principle of her great states
man now no more and for which she cast her
v>te in the late Presidential election, 'the Unon
the Constitution, and the Enforcement of the
Laws" ~ ~ a5
That he intended to make no attack, direct or
indirect, upon the institutions or property of any
State; but, on the contrary, would defend them
TO the full extent with which the Constitution
and laws of Congress have vested the President
with power. And that he did not intend 10 in
wade, with an armed force or make any military
or naval movement against any State unless she
or her people should make it necessary by a
formidable resistance of the authority and laws
of the United States That if Kentucky or her
citizens should seize the post of Newport, it
would become his duty and he might attempt to
retake it; but he contemplated no military ope-
rations that would make it necessary to move
any troops over her territories though he had
the unquestioned right at all times to march the
Q S. troops into and oyer any and every State.
That if Kentucky made no demonstration of
force against the United States be would not
modest her. That he regretted the necessity of
marching troops through Maryland, but forces
to protect the seat of the United States Govern
ment could not be concentrated there without
doing SO; and he intended to keep open line OF
communication through that State to Washing
ton City, at any risk, but in manner least cal
culated to irrltate and intame her people.-Lou-
isuille Courier. ~, .,fs a9oTif73 af .sa