The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-04-24
From the National lmelisencer.
The Presidents Reply TO the Committee
or the Virginia Convention.

We learn that at nine o'clock on Saturday
morning the three Commissioners appointed
by the Convention Of Virginia TO proceed 10
this city and ascertain the policy Of the
present Administration IN regard to the Sc
ccded States, had an interview with the
President on the subject Of their mission,
aid that Mr. Lincoln replied in writing as
follows;
Hon. hsars Pyesfon. NsGrf and Randolph
GKSrLEsES: As committee Of the yir-
GINA Convention, now in session, sou pre-
sent me preamble and resolution in these
words:
Where's in the opinion Of this Convention, the IN
certainty which prevails IN the public mind To the
policy wheh the Federal Executive intends pursue
toward the Seeded states !. extremely injurious TO the
industrial and commercial interests { the eeu,iify,
iends 10 keep up an excitement which Is unavoidable
10 the adjustment Of pending difficulties, snd threatens
disturbances q the public peace Therefore, q
Rssofred. That a com niee u three delegassbe AZ
PAINTED a. wait on the President 81 the United States
pss.sn, him this preamble and resolution, and respect.
fully ssh him communicate 10 this Convention the 20.
cy which the Federal Executive intends 10 pursue IN
regard 10 The cOafsdsrsle States
In answer have TO say, that. having Of
the beginning Of my Official term expressed
my intended policy as plainly as ] was able.
il is with deep regret aud some mortifica-
ton ! now learn that there is great and in
furious uncertainty in the public mind A. %
what that policy Is, and what course in
tend 10 pursue.
Not having as vet seen occasion 10 change,
il is now my purpose 10 pursue the course
marked out in the Inaugural Address.
commend a careful consideration Of the
whole document as the best expression can
give Of my purposes. As then and there
in said, ! now repeat;
.The power eon6Jed 10 me viii be used 70 hold, cc
copy and possess Inc property and places bsongae y
he Goyernmspi. COLLECT The duties and imPcss
hat beyond what 10 necessary ot these objects then
III be no iSs-on no using Of force assns, o. amOni
the people sBy where"
By the words property and places be.
longing TO the Government chiefly allude
TO the military posts and property which
which were in the possession Of the Go'ern'
mcnt when il came TO my hands.
Hut II, as now appears 70 be true, 10 pur.
suit Of purpose 70 drive the United States
authority from these places, an unprovokcd
assault has been made upon Fort Sumter.
shall hold myself al liberty TO repossess, II
ran, like places which had been seized be-
fore the Government was detolyed upon me.
And, in any event, shall. TO the best Of my
ability, repel force by force.
In case Il proves true that Fort Sumter
has been assaulted, as is reportcd, shall per.
haps cause the United States mails TO be
Withdrawn from all The States which claim
10 have seeded. believing that the com.
mencement Of actual war against the Gov.
eminent justi6es and possibly demands Il.
scarcely need to say that consider the
military posts and property situated within
the States which claim to have seeded a
vet belonging to the Government Of the u
nited States as much as they did before The
supposed secession.
Whatever else may do for the purpose
shall not attempt 70 collect the duties and
imposis By any armed invasion 81 any part
of the coantry--not meaning BY this, how,
ever, that may not land force deemed
necessary 70 relieve fort upon the bordei
Of the country.
Prom the fact that have quoted a part .
the Inaugural Address, L. must not be inferred
that repudiste any other part, the whole Q