Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-01-25
FLoYD.s ACCOUNT OF 1T.

''Mr. Floyd next adyerted to the election
and administration of Mr.. Buchanan, who, |
he said had been true to his political pledges,
to the Constitution and the South. lie had
never wanted to 90 into the Cabinet, and
when he became the subject of vitupera-
tion by official aspTants, he undertook 50
to dispose of the business in his hands that
it might be said 'this man had done his
duty" lApplausel He thought Mr.. Bu-
chanan had not been quite so strong y suS-
tained by the South as he ought to have been.
But it might be natural that he could not
come quite 50 near the wishes Of the South as
q son would come to the wishes Of his moth
er. The speaker alluded 20 the two policies
set forth in the Presidents Message. Mr..
Attorney Black said we must execute the
laws. /, said Mr.. Floyd, could not quite
bow to that. Mr. Buchanan said . this
question Of the forts Is a question OF proper
ty." 1 agreed to that. | said more. | said
- | am your Secretary and have in my hands
this property Of the forts. will turn over 1
to nv successor that property inyiOlate. |
know these people Of Soath Carolina; vent
to school among them know they are not
thieves. lsaac lIayne, ManiSault, and Frlnk
Pickens are good men-they are great men
--InN " III DItk tiAtAA ilo-'Lt .Li4NA
il ncc cessary, with my blood. But cannot
consent thaty YOU place among them 4 military
power that would choke them % the ground.
At subsequent interview with the Pres
ident, he elid t. NE, "Mr. Floyd, what
about sending recruits to Charleston?' |
sIid Nothing aboTt sending recruits.
! Don't YOU intend to strengthen the forts ut
| CHAR st,n ?'' he asked. 1 replied, Il do
N.Tl Io i ra i.r 10 ~ Tho
! bottom Of the Potomac tomorrow than that
these forts should be in the hands Of those
: wAo intend to take them. 1t will destroy
me; it viii cover your name, viii h is an
houurcI one, with lnamy for you will never
be able to show that you had nothing TO do
! with it. ! said, "Mr. President, trust
me there is no danger ] Will stake my
reputation and will stake my life that the
forts at Charleston viii not be touched.
| said this because felt it, The President
then said. But, Mr.. Floyd, does that secure
/ the iyrts?" No, sir, said !, ''but it is
the best guarantee can give you that they
will not be touched" " lie replied, Il am
not satisfied" Sad !, lit is yours to com
mand, and you win be Jbeycd. You can,
however, put an orders ser-eant there-a
man with worsted cpaulette and stripe
man laughter the rcpres ntatiye of the
stars aud sJripes, and Of hail Columbia and
Yankee Doodle lie can stand there and 50
proclaim him, elf. aud his authority will b.
| respected. Why not submit to Congress the
/ question # tie secession OF South Carolina
Congress may say state ha-a right to with
draw or may say We repuiiate the tight ot
seccssilu--wc viii send down cur armies To
, inf l. |
Will await Jhe issue.
Mr.. Floyd the1 proceeded 90 state th1l be
called t. his aid jefferson Davis, "that
bri.ht SalIin of ,he SJuth,' Mason and
Hunter, with other patriots, northern as
". ii as southern. and talked with the PTesi-
dent. lie then said: II am content with
Your pol cy-,ve will send no more troops to
the hIrbor of Charleston. alt deli5l ted me,
and | now thought the question capable u
Ieac ful ,Jlutipn,''
Mr. Floyd now spoke Of Gen. Cass, to
whom he paid glowing tribute. Gen. Cass
said " Iuese forts must be strengthened. |
demand it. Ihis, gentlemen Is the north
ern sentiment" The President replied -
am sorry To differ from the Secretary Of
State, but the interests Of the country 10
not demand a reiuiurc meut OF the iorts ut
Charleston. | cannot d. il. | take the
responsibility. Lh2 next day zen Cdss
lcslSued'
Ih"s matters stood when there was pro
position 70 send ior Cen Scott Mr.. Floyd,
VINO had long known and admired hun 4s a
Virginia soldier, gladly acquiesced. Gen
Scout came: lie had other IDEAS. lie was
soldier. lie h"d q YTog[41'h'e 10 auay ar
union ana orihS peace u the country. lie
al1 inns P' e5Ftq1.''s before the Secretary OF
var VINO '1ld MIN ne lid hot liz IT, lie
tnen la'd IL 3etofe tH9 t'e-l1-'' ana the
Ite'iIent ~ did not lnQch ilNe 'Aat time
Inc programme OF tens -. vas 4s i'iIo"'.
10 take Fort sumter ana Castle Plnckney,
strengthen Fort MonItTIe, oeeuIy ana hoIq