Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-02-08

the foundation of rumor which had reach.
ed that place, that the steamship BROOKLYN
with troops, had sailed from Norfolk. l
immediately handed over the dispatch to
the gentlemen, with the suitable enquiries.
The Attorney General said in substance :
~ GU know, sir, that am attached to the
law department, and not in the way of know
ing anything about it," The Secretary of
State said that he had heard, and believed
that the Brooklyn had sailed with some
troops, but he did not know when she sail
ed. Or to what point she was destined
then said 81 hoped that she had not re.
ceived her orders since my arrival in Wash
ington::" On this point the gentleman
could give me no information, but expressed
no doubt but that the President would give
nae the information if requested.
I excused myself to them and immedi-
ately withdrawing to the adjoining room,
addressed to the President note number 8,
which Mr.. Stanton, the Attorney General
kindly volunteered to bear in person and
without lapse of time to the President. In
4 short time afterwards Mr.. Stanton return
liz note
to the Presidents House, but for reason
not necessary here to state, he could not see
the President, but had placed it ia the
hands of his servant to be delivered at the
earliest opportunity. The reply ofthe Presi-
dent number 2, reached me at half after | |
o'clock that night Ia the interim I had
dispatched by telegraph to Judge Robert
son the information | had collected, and
upon the opening Of the Telegraphic Office
the next morning, Saturday the material
part the Presidents reply relating to the
sailing of the Brooklyn, viz: That She had
gone on an errand of "mercy and relief
and that she was not destined to South Car
olina. Tue orders for the sailing of the
ship as Will be seen, were issued before |
reached Washington After receiving the
letter and willingly adopting the most fayo-
rable construction Gifts expression, l resol-
we'd to remain in Washington until after
Monday. when the message would 60 to the
two Houses. | listened to its reading in the
Senate with pleasure, and can ouly refer to
the newspapers for its contents, as no copies
were printed and obtained by me before |
left Washington on Tuesday morning, the
29th inst On Monday afternoon I babe
my adieux to the President, in the accom-
panying letter marked No 4 to which
received his reply marked No. 5.
The morning newspapers contained the
rumors that the proceeding had been adop-
ted of mounting guns on the land side of
Fortress Monroe, and, in my letter, deem
ed it no way inappropriate to call the aiten-
ton of the President to those rumors.
Thus has terminated my mission to the
President, under the Legislative resolutions
| trust that the result Of the Brooklyn
cruise may terminate pcaceably No init
nation was given me of her sailing in cithel
of my interviews with the President, and al
connected with her destination remains t.
me State secret. | had no right to re-
quire to be admitted into the inner vesti
bule Of the Cabinet however much I ..,igh
complain should the results prove the erran(
of the ship, from The first to have been bel
ligerent and warIike.
I ain. dear sir,
Respectfully, aud truly yours,
JOHN TYLER
10 Governor LETcHER.