The Oxford intelligencer., 1861-03-27
From TIC National Lafskigeac~.
Reply of Nh. Thompson to Mr.. Holt
OxroRp. Mss. March IL. 1861.

was read by me with some surprise, as have
heretofore regarded him as an honorable man.
On the 3D. and 4th of January ultimo, in re-
ply to interrogatories from Judge Longstreet of
South Carolina, devoted christian and man of
peace, / photographed to him that no reinforcments
had been ordered to Fort Sumpter, and, in my
opinion, none would be sent if the authorities Of
that State would refrain from an attack on the
fort. Judge Longstreet therehpon addressed a
written appeal TO the Governor and those Of
ficially associated with him, basing his argument
ON this information, to withhold the first blow.
1t had its effect; no attack was made. On the
morning of the Sth the Constitution newspaper
contained photographic despatch from New York
that the Star Of the West had sailed from that
port with $50 soldiers on board, bound for Fort
Sumter. This was the very first intimation
had received from any quarter that additional
troops had been ordered or sent This informa-
ton to me was not 'official;" it was conveyed
with electric speed to every part of the Confed-
eracy, known to be true by every well-informed
man in the city of Washington as soon as known
by me. While engaged in writing my resigna-
ton In the presence Of Judge Black, then Sec
rotary Of State, despatch was received from
Judge Longstreet making inquiry as to the sail
| ing Of the Star of the West with additional
troops. Honor, truth, justice to myself and
JudgeLongstreet required of me the reply made,
that the Star of the West had sailed with rein
forcements, and ought then to be in Charleston.
! make this statement for the reader, not for
Mr.. Holt; because Mr.. Holt knew when he as
serted that /, while yet member of the Cabi-
net, disclosed to those IN open rebellion against
the United States information which | had
derived from my official position, and which |
held under the seals OF a confidence that, from
the beginning Of our history a nation, had not
been violated, he uttered vile falschood and
calumny.
| But Mr.. Holt inserts in his communication my
I letter of resignation and the Presidents reply
the very point in issue in which was, that this
expedition of the Star of the West was fitted
out without my knowledge in violation of an
express understanding. But when the Pres-
dent admitted, in his reply, that he expected my
resignation when his decision was made-and as
did not resign Of course did not understand
him as he thought he had expressed himself
and as well knew the Acting Secretary Of War,
in his eagerness to crush out those whom he
considered lin open repetition" was ready to
seize upon any loose expression Of the President
to justify himself in adopting any suggestion Of
Gen. Scott which he supposed would effect that
end, did not choose to push controversy with
the President involving a question Of veracity.
[ But II Mr.. Holt intends to be understood, by
quoting this correspondence, that this order,
which the President claims to have made, was
the "oficial' information held by me under the
seals of confidence, and which ! communicated,
/ ! pronounce him dishonorablc and unqualified
falsifer.
All my correspondence with the President has
never been published, and append copy of
! that portion which has not yet been printed and
hope you will insert il in your paper part
of this letter.
| On Wednesday, I'd Of January, the question
of sending re.inforcements to Fort Sumter was
| formally discussed in Cabinet The letters of
Major Anderson were read, and as the differences
drawn from them were different by the several
members, the President decided that a special
messenger should be sent to Major Anderson to
! learn his true condition. and suggested to Mr.
/ Holt several nerrogatories to be propounded
/ to him. This conclusion was reached, as admit
ted by every member of the Cabinet As soon
as this question was disposed of the reply of
the South Carolina Commissioners was taken
up read and refer red After that, the CONVEX
Sation was dcsutory, and if the President used
/ the expression that 're-niOrcements must now
be sent" il is certain that neither Judge Black,
Gov. Thomas, or myself heard the remark
| These are the only two members of the Cabinet
with whom have had special conversation ON
this particular subject II is certain, however,
the then Acting Secretary of War, moved upon
]
ton of the Star of the West, with the belief that
he could throw two hundred and fifty soldiers
into Fort Sumter by stealth. 1t is also certain
that the President ordered the sending of the
troops to be arrested, and entrusted the carry
ing out of this countermand to Mr.. Holt II is
also certain this order Of the President was made
in full time to have arrested the expedition If all
parties had promptly discharged their duty. It
is certain that it did so happen that the Star of
the West set sail without receiving the order of
countermand, and il is certain that after her re-
turn to New York it was evident TO all that the
sending of her was great mistake. | deal with
the facts, not the reasoning, involved in the
transaction. 1t is further certain that history
will not record this expedition as one of those
brilliant strategic movements which will mark
the military career of the Lieutenant General,
though he was confidingly sustained by the
Acting Secretary of War.
Mr. Holt concludes his remarkable communi.
cation by an appeal to the sympathy of the
Union men of the South. lie has forfeited all
claim to their consideration, and they will not ex-
tend to him their confidence. lie has waxed fat
on their kindness and patronage, it is true, but
they will reject his approaches with disdan when
he informs them that in adhcring to their re-
spective States they are lin open rebellion" y
They hold this is a Government of consent, aud
dy of powder and ball They hold the States
are separate and Independent parties to the com
pact which formed the General Government; that
each State has the. right to assert her ndepen-
dence whenever the safety Of her people requires
il, and in doing so neither commits rebellion or
treason, as she owes no allegiance to the Gencr-
al Government as her sovereign; and that there
fore the citizen, in adhcring to his State and
yielding obedience to her commands, is neither
rebel or traitor. We all know that il mill
tary force is used to subugate the seeded States
the question of African slavery is at once subor-
daned to the higher and greater one Of making
slaves of white men.
Mr.. Holt further says he is denounced through
out the South simply and solely because while in
Office she refused to blacken his soul with per-
jury" Now, if this be true the South is wrong;
but what will they think of him when on the
very day he became private citizen he consent
ed to strike at the best friend he ever had, in per
feet disregard Of Gods high command that
thou shalt not bear false witness against thy
neighbor 2" J. THOMPSON.
WASHINGTON, January 10. 1861.
HIS ErceLlency Jezaes Bschaaaa, Prssielenf q. s.:
DEAR SIR: In your reply to my note of the
eth instant, accepting my resignation, you are
right when you say that "you % had been so
emphatic in opposing these endorsements that