New-York daily tribune., 1861-07-06
TIE MESSAGE.

TIE mESSAGE.
P,ov cirer' Of Ae Senate and HOu'e Of Rtp'e''H'Sr''
Having been convened on an extraordinary OCCASION
"a authorized by the Constitution your attention is not
called TO any ordinary subject Of legislation.
AT the BEGINNING Of the present Pre"dentiai term,
e.. 1t. ., functions OF the Federal Govern
inent found to be generally Suspended within the
several States OF South Carolina, Georgia Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida, excepting only of
the PoetOffce Department.
Within these States all the forts, arsenals, dock
yards customhouses and the Ike, including the move
able and stationary property in and about them, had
been seized, and were held in open hostility to this
Government, excepting only Forts Pckens Taylor,
and Jeerson and the Floridn coast, and Fort
sumter, in Charleston hsrbor, South Carolina. The
orts thus seized bad been put in improved condition.
aew ones had been built and armed forces bad been
organized and organizing, all avowedy with the
same hostile purpose.
The fors remaining 10 the possession of the Federal
Government in and near these States either be.
seged or mensced by wsrlixe preparations, and espe-
cally Fort Sumter was nearly surrounded by welpro-
tected hostile batteries with guns equal in quality 10
the best of it's own, and outnumberng the latter as
perhaps ten to one. dsproportionate share OF the
Federal muskets and rifles bad somehow found their
way into these States and had been seized to be used
against the Government
Accommodations of the public revenue, lying within
them, had been seized for the object. The Navy
was scattered in distant seas, leaving but very small
rart of il within the immediate reach of the Govern
mlnt.
Officers Of the Federal army had resigned in great
numbers and Of those resignng large proportion had
taken up arms against the Government Sinultane-
oueyand in common with all this the purpose to sever
the Federal Union was openly avowed.
In accordance with this purpose, an ordinance had
been adopted in each of these States, declaring the
States respectively be separated from the National
Union A formula for institutipga combined Govern
ment Of those States had been promulgated and this IL
legal organization in the character Of the Con'ed-
crate staes was already invoking recognition, aid
and Intervention from foreign Powers.
Finding this condition Of things, and believing it to
be an imperative duty upon the incoming Executive TO
prevent if possble the consummaon OF such attempt
to destroy the Federal Union choice OF means 10 that
end became indispensable. This choice was made, and
was declared in the inaugural address The policy
chosen looked to the exhaustion Of all peaceful meas
ures before resort TO any stronger ones 1t sought
only to hold the public places and property not already
wrested from tho Government and 70 collect the reye-
nue., relying for the rest time, discussion,
and the baOt-box it promised contn.
uanCe Of the mails, ct Government expense, TO
the very people who were resisting the Government,
and it gave repeated pledges against any disturbances
to any of the people or any of their rights of all that
which President mig consIitutionaly and justlnao
do iu such case everything was forborie, without
which it was believed possible to keep the Govern
ment on foot
On the 5th of Marcb, the present incumoents hrst
full day in Office, letter from Major Anderson, COM
mapding nj Fort Sumter written on the 18th OF Feb.
and received at the War Department on the 4th OF
March, was by that Department placed in his hands
This letter expresses the professional opinion oil the
writer that reenforcemen could not be thrown INTO
that fort within the time for his relief rendered neces
sary by the limited supply of provisions ana win
view of holding possession Of the sane win force 0
leas than 90, 900 good and well disciplined men.
This opinion was concurred in by all the once" OF
lie command, and theirmemornda on the suoJect were
,pude Enclosures of Major Andersons letter. Inc
whole wss Immediately laid before Leuent-Geneia'
Scott who at once concurred with Major Anderson In
his opinion.
On reflection however, he took full time, consulting
with other officers both Of the Army and the Navy
and at the end Of four days came reluctantly oat
decidedly 70 the came QOaOlasisa = before.